Founder and President of the Islamic Relief Fund, and recipient of the 1987 Star of the Community Award is Soraya Hassim. In 1968, she established the fund, a nongovernmental organization that provides a ëhumanitarian service to mankind, inspired by a poverty-stricken woman who wanted to work and to educate herself in order to provide for her family. She says her work is based on the Islamic concepts of tolerance and compassion, however the fund offers aid to people of all religions.

Soraya began her fund by feeding children in local schools in Johannesburg. Some 35 years later, the Islamic Relief Fund has expanded to feed over five million kids during school hours; manufacture ethnic dresses, shirts, pants and Islamic wear; establish educational programmes to allow for families to become financially self-sufficient.

What lies at the foundation of Soraya's philosophy is a belief that women are the pioneers of change in the future. When asked what she considers as women's roles in the summit's theme of sustainable development, she responded, "Women are the foundation of every human being on earth. If you have a healthy woman, you have a healthy family. They are the mothers of today's leaders. Women can change things. They are more reliable; more passionate about work."

As far as the summit is concerned, Soraya is dubious. She says that she fears history is repeating itself and thoughts are stale here. She urges the younger generations to bring their ideas forward and she emphasizes the need for "action, action, action."

And this is part of her plan. Soraya Hussin envisions an expansion of the Islamic Relief Fund by recruiting younger generations, in particular women, across various communities, and eventually across nations to implement strategies of development.

And so, although the fund does not specifically focus on gender issues, it most certainly emphasizes the importance of women for the future of development. Soraya Hussin is herself a model of this belief.

The empowerment of women has appeared as a recurring theme at the summit as was also demonstrated at Monday's Korean captivating silent protest.

Nearly 30 women from the Korean Peninsula lined up and circled the NASREC complex. A thin white sheet surrounded them and the sound of the jing (traditional Korean instrument) accompanied their march. As the peaceful protest continued, many women of different backgrounds were compelled to join in. A local South African woman even held a side of the Korean Womenís Environment Network banner.

Their approach was effective; their cause as compelling. Although the protest focused on Korean women, their issues were hardly gender specific. A member of the protest group later said to reporters: "Korean women who attend the WSSD People's Forum in Johannesburg would like to make the case for the Korean people's desire toward a peaceful Korea. Korean women have suffered tragedies and pains due to the division of Korea and the Korean War. We have made efforts to build peace and resolve conflicts on the Korean peninsula by peaceful means."