title: Iman Kouvalis of Greeks Rethink

I’ve had the privilege of working with Iman for the past couple of years doing web design work for her company Optimize It Designs.  Iman is a successful and ambitious sister and an inspiration to many. I am excited to bring you this interview where she talks briefly about the flourishing Global Greek Muslim Community she has developed through Greeks Rethink and what it means to be a Greek Muslim.

Tell us a bit about Greeks Rethink, how it started and the work you do for the Greek Muslim Community.

It all started with a question.  Where are all the Greek Muslims? The majority of us are scattered around the world but we have a passion to connect with each other.  I started two years ago and now our website is a meeting place for people who want to learn about Greeks who have rethought life.

Do you primarily work with Muslims in Greece or Greek muslims abroad?

Our work is for Greek Muslims globally but we are aligned with the Muslim Association of Greece (www.equalsociety.com) who is the association that takes care of the national Islamic issues in Greece.

You’re a Greek Muslim revert/convert mashaAllah! Tell us a bit about your experience as a Muslim in relation to your Greek culture and heritage?

We are between East and West.  If you’ve ever watched My Big Fat Greek Wedding, that’s pretty accurate to who we are. :)  Greece brought a rich civilization to the world as did Islam so I enjoy being part of both.

We see a lot of abuses of Religious Freedom around the world, increasingly in Europe, what is the situation for Greek Muslims in this regard?

Greece is the only EU country without a mosque in its capital city.  With 700 000 Muslims in Athens, this is a tragedy.  The Muslim Association of Greece is working tirelessly for years to promote a positive image of Islam and Muslims in Greece.

What other sorts of issues do Muslims face in Greece?

Apart from the mosque issue, Muslims do not have a cemetery and have to ship their dead to external countries or at least eight hours away.  The hard reality is that Greece has many misconceptions towards Islam but the average Muslim neighbor enjoys friendship with the average Greek neighbor.

What sort of feedback have you gotten about your work? From the Greek state? Muslims? Non muslims?

Through the Muslim Association of Greece, we have had positive attention from major media networks globally, global Muslim networks and Greek authorities.  Even many non-Greeks have told me that they visit our website regularly.

In your experience how does the Greek culture compliment Islamic culture, what are the similarities?

Our traditional heritage and etiquettes are similar to Islamic etiquettes, not to mention great food and a rich history of thinking, reflecting and civilization.

Islam spread to much of Europe in the past, what part does Islam play in Greek history?

Islam was part of Greece for about 500 years during the Ottoman Empire period.  Today, you can still see remnants of Islam in Greece through its museums, foods and words.

What sort of goals do you have for the future of your work?

Our annual goal includes the building of five websites:

• www.greeksrethink.com (Connecting Greek Muslims)
• www.equalsociety.com (Muslim Association of Greece)
• www.ora-islam.gr (About Islam in the Greek language for Non-Muslims)
• www.islamfriends.gr (Islamic culture and civilization in the Greek language)
• Fifth website is still a secret to the public! :)

How can other organizations like yours that cater to specific ethnic groups of Muslims learn from Greeks Rethink?

If you want to run a project like Greeks Rethink, the best thing to do is to contact someone who has already done something like this and ask them a lot of questions.  Before I started, I spent six months with high-powered people just learning from them.  But to give you a few hints, try this:  think big, plan big, start small, make a team, get some business skills and make lots of dua.

Tell any Greek Muslim readers out there how they can get involved, InshaAllah?

Visit www.greeksrethink.com and introduce yourself at our forum.  Greek or not, I’m sure you’ll be intrigued by what you find at our website.