Muslim Women: Past and Present

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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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Baroness Pola Uddin

photo of Baroness Pola Uddin Baroness Pola Uddin

Known For: First Muslim woman Elected into the UK’s House of Lords
Dates: Hijri 1378 – Present (AH)
Common Era 1959-Present (CE)
Country: United Kingdom

About

Baroness Pola Uddin is known for being the first Muslim and Bangladeshi woman to have been elected into the House of Lords. She has dedicated her life to social reforms and equal rights.

Uddin first came, with her family, to the United Kingdom at the age of thirteen. Three years later, against the wishes of her family, she married Mr. Komar Uddin. They have five children. Uddin began her professional career in the late 70’s when she developed and led many community working groups, including distinctly women- centered projects. In 1989, she became the first Bangladeshi and Muslim woman to be elected as Local Councilor in the London area. Four years later, she became the first Deputy Leader of the same area. In 1998, she was raised to the peerage and elected into the House of Lords as Baroness Uddin of Bethnal Green.  Since then, she has chaired the Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic Task Force and the Women Councillors cross-party Taskforce. In her role as Chair, Uddin has hosted outreach events across the UK to encourage women, particularly those from ethnic minority communities to get involved in local politics.

In addition to her role, Uddin serves on the Select Committee on European Affairs and is a board member of Autism Speak UK and a patron of several associations, such as Orbis International, Student Partnership Worldwide, Bethnal Green and Victoria Park Housing Association, Women’s Housing Forum, Women’s Aid, Brit-Bangla and The Dame Vera Lynn Trust.

Sources

“’Belief Transcript – Baroness Uddin Interview”,

“Baroness Pola Uddin – Shortlisted for Peer of the Year”,

Baroness Uddin’s Website 

Videos

Everywoman – Baroness Uddin, Part 1”, 

“Everywoman – Baroness Uddin, Part 2”,

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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.