These St. Louis Muslim women are changing the region and beyond

Reported in St. Louis Post Dispatch

As Dr. Ghazala Hayat watched the news coverage of the Oct. 7 attacks in Israel, she thought about her closest Jewish friends.

Hayat, a professor of neuromuscular diseases at St. Louis University School of Medicine, called Rabbi Susan Talve, the founding rabbi of Central Reform Congregation, that evening. Her call went to voicemail, so she sent a text: Thinking about you and praying for you.

They spoke a few days later. Hayat expressed her sorrow and asked if any of Talve’s family or friends had been directly affected.

“It’s all just one person removed,” Talve, 72, said.

“It’s so sad,” Hayat, 70, said. “When people are hurt, they can do something so inhumane.”

“No, Ghazala,” Talve responded. “There’s no justification.” Read more.