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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Bina Sharif

photo of Bina Sharif

Known For: Playwright and Artist
Country: United States

About

Bina Sharif is an award-winning Pakistani-American playwright, director, actor, poet, visual artist and performer. Ms. Sharif has had 24 plays produced in the U.S., Europe, and Pakistan. Since September 11th, she has written 7 plays dealing with Islam, fundamentalism, terrorism, and war, including Democracy in Islam, Muslim Glitter, Republic of Iqra, Why?, and Here Comes The Change, all produced in NYC.

Ms. Sharif’s one woman play Afghan Woman, written as a response to September 11th and the war in Afghanistan, was produced in New York City at the Theater for the New City in January 2002. Afghan Woman is still being performed in various universities all over the U.S. and globe, including the University of Hawaii, Islamabad Club Pakistan, Belgium, and Manchester (UK). Her play, My Ancestor’s House, is published in the anthology Contemporary Plays by American Women of Color and is being taught in many universities throughout the U.S.

Ms. Sharif has won a number of awards for her playwriting, including the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA), Jerome Foundation Award and Franklin Furnace Award. She was also nominated for a Joseph Jefferson award for her acting by Chicago’s Goodman Theater. She has an on-going project of visual art and writing combined called “Manhattan Days.” Ms. Sharif holds a medical degree from Pakistan and a Masters in Public Health from John Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. 

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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.