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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Ayisha Amatu Rahim Jeffries

photo of Ayisha Amatu Rahim Jeffries

Known For: Vice President of Global Affairs and Senior Policy Advisor on Gender Equity, President of the African-American Islamic Institute
Country: United States

About

Ayisha R. Jeffries is Vice President of Global Affairs and Senior Policy Advisor on Gender Equity to the President of the African American Islamic Institute (AAII), a non-governmental international organization based in Senegal, West Africa. AAII’s mission is to lead sustainable development that promotes education, health care, the empowerment of women and children, the alleviation of poverty, and the promotion of peace. Joining AAII as a Resource Strategist, Ms. Jeffries developed numerous multi-lateral partnerships from global organizations to grassroots community initiatives. These included the United Nations, AmeriCares, US Doctors for Africa, and Wassukafo (community advocates for the eradication of Female Genital Mutilation and Cutting in the Gambia). These and over thirty-five other ongoing partnerships have resulted in half a billion dollars in resources and sustained change in the quality of life for the people of West Africa.

In her current position, Ms. Jeffries develops strategic policies and strategies that foster enhanced relationships between the Islamic World and the West with an emphasis on gender equity within faith communities. She has co-developed over twenty conferences centering on women’s rights in Islam, health, education and economic development and serves as the Alternate Representative to the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) at the United Nations. Independent of AAII, Ms. Jeffries has launched a grassroots movement, Conversations with Our Fathers, a public education project addressing domestic violence. She is in the final stages of planning Sun in My Belly, a green transitional community for women rebuilding their lives after Intimate Partner Violence.

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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.