How Ramadan festivals gave Rehana 'solace' and the springboard to run her own business

Rehana Kausar said attending Ramadan and Eid festivals in the early 2000s inspired her to open her own women's clothing shop in Sydney's west.

Rehana Kausar now runs her own women's clothing store. Credit: Supplied

Key Points

• Rehana Kauser says she was inspired to open her own clothing store after years of attending Ramadan and Eid festivals.
• A festival co-founder, Mehar Ahmed, said such events were 'catalysts to entrepreneurship for migrant women'.
• However, more government and non-government support is needed.

Rehana Kausar arrived in Australia in 2004 and fondly recalled attending the Meena Bazaar and Ramadan festivals in Lakemba, Sydney, followed by those in Campsie.

She also took part in the Multicultural Eid Fair and Festival (MEFF) in Fairfield.

Throughout the month of Ramadan, similar festivals attract thousands of attendees across the country with stalls selling clothing, handicrafts, jewellery, food and more.

During Ramadan, festivals of many sizes showcase Australia's diversity. Credit: Supplied

Initially, Kausar said, her family simply attended these lively events while she catered to female clients at home largely through dress alterations.

"I found solace and belonging in attending these festivals. Amid the challenges of adapting to a new country, they offered a sense of community," she said.

These festivals were not just religious observances but precious threads connecting me to my cultural identity and providing comfort in the journey of forging a new life.

Rehana Kausar

The Multicultural Eid Festival and Fair (MEFF) is an annual event started in Sydney in 1985 by the Islamic Foundation for Education and Welfare (IFEW). Credit: Supplied

This role evolved into Kausar making dresses herself and selling them from home.

She told SBS Urdu that within a few years, her business gained momentum, evolving from a venture inspired by Ramadan and Eid festivals to one that kept her increasingly busy.

During that time in 2008, Kausar said she and her husband discussed the idea of setting up a stall at the Meena Bazaar and participating in the Multicultural Eid Fair and Festival (MEFF).

Before establishing her own retail shop, Kausar (L) frequently attended Eid and Ramadan festivals. Credit: Supplied

MEFF co-founder, Mehar Ahmed, told SBS Urdu that such festivals served as catalysts for some new migrant women setting up their own businesses.

"By seizing these opportunities, newly arrived women can embark on their entrepreneurial journeys with confidence and contribute to the economic and social fabric of their communities," she added.

Ramadan and Eid festivals facilitate migrant women in venturing into entrepreneurship by offering platforms to exhibit their skills, access markets, establish networks, and foster cultural exchange.

Mehar Ahmed

Mehar Ahmed has been involved with MEFF since its inception in the 1980s. Credit: Supplied

However, Ahmed said that despite the potential openings, women often encountered significant obstacles in pursuing careers or entrepreneurial endeavours.

"One of the biggest challenges is insufficient support both within their communities and from government or non-government organisations," she added.

Migrant women need access to mentorship programs, financial resources, language assistance, and cultural integration services, which are crucial for navigating the complexities of entrepreneurship or career advancement.

Mehar Ahmed

Kausar (R) says Eid and Ramadan shopping bazaars and festivals provided her with her first experiences in financial management. Credit: Supplied

Before opening her own retail shop, Kausar spent several years as a regular participant, setting up stalls at every shopping festival.

She said these occasions served as inspiration, sparking her interest in entrepreneurship and financial literacy.

I acknowledge that these Eid and Ramadan shopping bazaars and festivals provided me with my first experiences in financial management.

Rehana Kausar

Ambreen Chowhan, once a participant in such gatherings, has been organising her own Ramadan shopping festivals in Sydney for the past four years.

Chowhan said that the decision came amidst COVID-19 restrictions, providing economic opportunities for women while fostering business skills including financial literacy and customer service.

Ali and Ambreen Chowhan have been organising the Ramadan Shopping Festival in Sydney since 2020. Credit: Supplied

Jewellery on display at the Ramadan Shopping Festival in 2023, which was held in Prestons, NSW. Credit: Supplied

As demand for Kausar's garments grew, she said she and her husband faced challenges managing the influx of customers at home.

In 2018, they realised a dream of establishing a retail outlet in Liverpool, Sydney.

Today, it operates as a family business, with Kausar's husband and children actively involved.

In 2018, Kausar realised her dream of opening her own women's clothing store in Liverpool, Sydney. Credit: Supplied

Aimen Jafri, chair of the Multicultural Council of Tasmania and senior settlement officer at the Migrant Resource Centre Tasmania, highlighted the importance of women's participation in Ramadan and Eid festivals.

She said she believed that beyond tradition, these events empowered migrant women by fostering confidence and paving the way for economic independence.

These festivals provide a platform for showcasing talents and inspire others to pursue entrepreneurship but there is lots of work to be done .

Aimen Jafri

Looking back, Kausar attributed her success to her unwavering focus on customer preferences and demands.

Their business model revolved around sourcing and selling dresses based on customer feedback, she said.

Kausar (L) attributes her success to her unwavering focus on customer preferences and demands. Credit: Supplied