Muslim Women: Past and Present

Recommend a Muslim Woman

Throughout the ages, from the earliest days of Islam to contemporary times today, Muslim women have been and continue to be active leaders in their communities and countries across the world. This directory is a growing archive of leading Muslim women scholars, activists, writers, politicians, artists, religious and spiritual leaders, civil society leaders and more. Please contribute to this archive by suggesting Muslim women to be featured through our recommendation form.

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Asli Sancar

photo of Asli Sancar

Known For: Author
Country: United States

About

Asli Sancar is author of Ottoman Women Myth and Reality, a book which challenges the Orientalist myth that Ottoman women were erotic, indolent and suppressed. The book, which gives a realistic account of Ottoman women and harem life based on valid documentation, was awarded first place in the history/politics category in the 2008 Benjamin Franklin Publishing Awards and was a finalist in cover design. It was also published in Turkish in March, 2009.

Ms. Sancar has written intermittently on women’s issues for the last twenty-five years. Most of her articles have been published in Turkish in the Istanbul-based magazine, Women and Family. She has two other books published in Turkish: Awakening to the Light of Islam (1986) and Women and Family in Ottoman Society (1999). Ms. Sancar also lectures extensively in Turkey and the U.S. and has been featured broadly in the Turkish media. In addition to writing, she does English/Turkish translation professionally. Born and raised in the U.S., Ms. Sancar converted to Islam in 1968 and is the mother of three children.

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This search feature will enable you to find Muslim women alphabetically by their first names. Many Muslim names have alternative spellings once rendered into English so if you cannot find the name you are looking for, please try the general search tab where you can enter keywords of your choice.
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This search feature will enable you to find Muslim women chronologically by the Common Era century. We are actively building the archive of Muslim women leaders from the past, as well as from today, and we would welcome your recommendations of women to feature. Please complete our “Recommend Muslim Women” form and check the site again in the near future as we actively expand this section of the portal with your suggestions.
This search feature will enable you to find Muslim women by their Country. We are actively building the archive of Muslim women leaders from the past, as well as from today, and we would welcome your recommendations of women to feature. Please complete our “Recommend Muslim Women” form and check the site again in the near future as we actively expand this section of the portal with your suggestions.
This search feature will enable you to find Muslim women leaders by entering the keyword(s) of your choice. If you cannot find a particular woman that you are looking for, please let us know by completing our “Recommend Muslim Women” form and check the site again in the near future as we actively expand this section of the portal with your suggestions.