[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 81 (Monday, June 14, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1100]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      COMMENDING MS. HAUWA IBRAHIM

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. FRANK R. WOLF

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 14, 2004

  Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, I would like to pay tribute to a brave human 
rights leader on the world stage, Ms. Hauwa Ibrahim. On June 17, Ms. 
Ibrahim will be honored by the Tahirih Justice Center during its 
Seventh Annual Banquet. Ms. Ibrahim, who has exerted extraordinary 
efforts to protect and promote the rights of women under Sharia law, is 
an inspiration and it is my pleasure to pay special tribute to this 
extraordinary woman.
  Ms. Ibrahim resides in Nigeria and is a senior partner in the general 
law practice of the ARIES law firm and is also the legal aid counsel. 
She has been a defense counsel to over 40 Sharia-related cases that she 
has undertaken on a pro bono basis. Ms. Ibrahim serves as a consultant 
relating to the application of Sharia law to many international and 
non-governmental organizations including the United Nations Development 
Program, Lawyers Without Borders, and the European Union Commission on 
Nigeria.
  In addition, since 1999, Ms. Ibrahim has led a team of defense 
lawyers in addressing issues corresponding to the implementation of 
Sharia law. She is best known in this country for being the lead 
counsel for Amina Lawal, the Nigerian woman who was spared death by 
stoning for having a child out of wedlock.
  At the Tahirih Justice Center Banquet, ``A Woman's Life, A Child's 
Future: A World of Possibilities,'' Ms. Ibrahim will be honored with 
the Pushing the Envelope award. The Tahirih Justice Center, a Virginia-
based organization, is one of the nation's foremost pro bono legal 
advocacy organizations for women and girls fleeing human rights abuses. 
Since opening its doors in 1997, Tahirih has assisted over 4,000 women 
and girls fleeing horrific abuse throughout the world. Tahirih works to 
transform policies, develop regulations, and establish precedent so 
that systemic change will ensure the long-term protection of women and 
girls from violence. I commend their work to protect and promote 
justice for women and girls worldwide.
  Mr. Speaker, Ms. Ibrahim is a leader in women's rights and I ask my 
colleagues to join in praise of Ms. Ibrahim's commitment and hard work.

                          ____________________