About Us
LIN (Equality, Inclusion and Network) is a resource organisation for ethnic minorities in Norway. Our organisation strives to enhance the interests and the rights of ethnic minorities within society and various policy areas, as we have done for 16 years. In pursuit of this objective, LIN engange in various projects and provide relevant courses and personalised guidance to our users.
Our vision is an equal and inclusive society with room for everyone, regardless of their background. LIN works for the inclusion and empowerment of multicultural minorities in Norwegian society by:
• Serving as a platform for information, knowledge, communication, dialogue, and trust between the minority population and Norwegian society across ethnicity, religion, and culture.
• Encouraging and promoting active participation in society through user involvement.
• Acting as a resource center for our users and members, contributing to essential networks and connections.
• Being a voice for our users and members.
• Combating harmful cultural practices and fighting racism and discrimination through dialogue and the exchange of experiences.
• Promoting everyday integration through guidance, seminars, and counseling.
• Fighting poverty and social exclusion through skills development and employment-focused initiatives.
LIN's Anniversary Conference. From left: Bibi Thaiba Musavi, founder of LIN; Rabia Musavi, Executive Director and Co-Founder of LIN; and Neelam Anjum, Vice Chair of LIN's Board. Photographer: Ingar Sørensen
Our History
On January 15, 2009, Bibi Thaiba Musavi founded an organization named Alna Women’s Group. Musavi encountered many immigrant women in need of tailored assistance, guidance, and training. As a full-time working woman, she often worked around the clock to establish the organization. It grew out of her own experiences as a child and youth, the encounters she had with women, and the stories they shared. Musavi met many women suffering under negative social control, as well as economic and physical violence in their own homes. She wanted to help and empower women to fight for their rights.
This fight became the foundation of LIN’s mission: the right to acquire skills and the freedom to work. At the opening seminar of Alna Women’s Group, over 150 women attended, demonstrating a remarkable interest in the organization from day one. In 2011, Alna Women’s Group was renamed LIN – Equality, Inclusion, and Network. High demand led LIN to open its doors to both genders in 2016. LIN is an award-winning organization, receiving the OXLO Award in 2020 and the Diversity Award by HER-Awards in 2023. Additionally, LIN has been nominated for several other honors, including the Girl’s Award and the Adult Education Award.
Today, LIN has two founders. Rabia Musavi has played a central role in building the organization since its inception in 2009. In 2018, she was appointed Executive Director by LIN’s former board, led by Mihriban Rai. After years of tireless efforts, Rabia Musavi was officially granted the title of Co-Founder of LIN in 2023. Trust and user involvement have driven LIN from being a volunteer initiative to becoming a national award-winning resource organization.