About Us

The Asiyah Women’s Center is an emergency center in New York City addressing the gap of appropriate residential services for the Arab, Middle Eastern, Muslim, South Asian (AMEMSA) and Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) populations.

Our Story

The United States is home to 3.45 million Muslims. New York City Muslims account for 23% of this number and come from all walks of life– 20% are Black, 15% are Arab, and 10% are South Asian. And on average, 1 out of every 3 American Muslim women experience intimate partner violence. There is a dire need for resources designed to help this specific population. Currently, the Asiyah Women’s Center is the oldest and largest center that can accommodate the holistic needs of domestic violence victims who identify with the AMEMSA or BIPOC population in New York City.

In the years since our founding in 2018, we have assisted over 1000 women and families, 94% of whom identify with the AMEMSA or BIPOC population. The Asiyah Women’s Center is well-equipped with the culture competency capacity to provide our diverse clientele with the services they need.

Meet the Team

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Dania Darwish

FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

(she/her/hers) is the co-founder and Executive Director of the Asiyah Women's Center. Dania has held roles and leadership positions at Amnesty International, UN Women, the Muslim American Society, the Office of U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, and the New York Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. Prior to her employment at the Asiyah Women’s Center. Darwish completed missions in Greece, Turkey and Lebanon to expand medical and dental care to over 10,000 refugees in over 35 refugee camps. Darwish completed her B.A. in Political Psychology, Business, and International Relations at the CUNY Baccalaureate for Unique and Interdisciplinary Studies and her MSc in Human Rights at the University College London.

Zahra Omairat

Multimedia and Communications Coordinator

Zahra (she/her) is passionate about using storytelling to inspire social change, particularly raising awareness of domestic violence. With a background in strategic messaging, PR, and digital media, she drives impactful communication and advocates for the AMEMSA/BIPOC community. She is dedicated to giving domestic violence survivors a sense that they have a place to call home, marketing her organization as a space where they can take the next step toward rebuilding their lives, and facilitating a platform that empowers them to share their truth. Zahra graduated from Hofstra University with a Bachelor's in Business Administration/Marketing.

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Salma Salim

SOCIAL WORKER

Salma (she/her) oversees the intake process, shelter residents, mental health programs, and the overall shelter operations. /with five years of experience supporting low-income BIPOC and South Asian communities, she is deeply committed to advocating for vulnerable populations. In addition to her role at the Center, she is a part-time psychotherapist, actively working toward gaining her Clinical License. Salma holds a Bachelor’s in Social Work from Hunter College and a Master’s in Social Work from Adelphi University. She is passionate about empowering women and supporting them on their journey toward independence, drawing on her extensive experience in mental health and community support.

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Adla Ramawi

KHALTO IN RESIDENCE

Adla (she/her) is a cherished Palestinian American mother and friend, deeply dedicated to supporting Asiyah Women’s Center. She manages groceries, connects with residents, waters plants, and plans birthday celebrations, bringing warmth and care to the entire community.

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Ameera Opeissy

KHALTO IN RESIDENCE

Ameera (she/her), originally from Syria with deep roots in Brooklyn, Ameera is a vital part of Asiyah Women’s Center. She supports residents by translating at appointments, maintaining the office, and managing the shelter, ensuring the center runs smoothly and effectively.

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Shaniyat Turani

DEVELOPMENT AND PROGRAM SPECIALIST

Shaniyat (he/him) brings over seven years of experience in nonprofit development and fundraising to support programs that empower BIPOC and AMEMSA communities across New York City. As an independent journalist, Shaniyat has reported on the impacts of colonialism, war, and climate change on marginalized communities worldwide, centering voices often overlooked. His dual expertise in storytelling and nonprofit leadership allows him to craft compelling narratives that amplify the experiences of survivors while securing vital resources to sustain Asiyah’s transformative programs. Shaniyat holds a Master’s in International Relations from New York University, where his focus on U.S. foreign policy further informs his dedication to advocacy, justice, and community resilience.

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Hira Qureshi

CASE WORKER

Hira (she/her) provides direct support and advocacy for survivors of domestic violence by conducting intake assessments, developing safety plans, and connecting clients to community resources. With experience as a case worker supporting individuals coping with trauma and life challenges, she is dedicated to developing equitable mental health services for minorities and marginalized communities. She works to break the stigma surrounding mental health by raising awareness and increasing access to support, and she is especially passionate about advocating for survivors of domestic violence in South Asian and Muslim communities. Hira graduated from the College of Staten Island with a Bachelor’s in Psychology, and a focus in Critical Criminology and Social Justice.

Sadia Mezbah

Managing Director

Sadia (she/her) is the Managing Director of Asiyah Women’s Center, where she leads strategic planning, oversees operations, manages grants, and develops programs that support survivors and uplift the community. With a background in human resources, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB), and organizational development, Sadia focuses on building efficient systems and people-centered processes that meet the diverse needs of Muslim, AMEMSA, and BIPOC women. She brings a values-driven, equity-focused approach to her work—fostering collaboration, streamlining infrastructure, and driving sustainable growth. A proud Bengali Muslim woman, Sadia holds a BBA in Human Resources Management from the Zicklin School of Business at Baruch College and is currently pursuing her MBA. She is deeply committed to creating intentional, community-rooted solutions that lead to lasting impact.