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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Gbemisola Ruqayyah Saraki

There is a nation before us that craves rapid development, and what really counts won’t be intentions but the positive actions of every individual that nurture a brighter living for Nigerians.

Gbemisola

Known For: Nigerian Senator
Country: Nigeria

About

Gbemisola Ruqayyah Saraki is the current senator representing Kwara Central Senatorial District of Kwara State in North West Nigeria.  She earned a B.A. in Economics from the University of Sussex in the United Kingdom and did her required national service at the Nigeria Bank for Commerce and Industry, Lagos. First working for the Societe Generale Bank (Nigeria) as Head of Money Markets and then as Head of Domiciliary Accounts, from 1994 to 1999 she served as Executive Director of Ashmount Insurance Brokers, Lagos.

Her father, Abubakar Olusola Saraki, was the Senate leader during the Nigerian Second Republic from 1979 to 1983, and her brother, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, currently governor of Kwara State.

Gbemisola R. Saraki was initially elected as a member of the House of Representatives in 1999, as Senator for the Central Senatorial District of Kwara State in 2003, and re-elected in 2007. In this time she has sponsored and co-sponsored about eight bills, with her involvement in the Senate praised as brilliant and deeply engaging.

A philanthropist, Gbemisola actively supports many non-governmental organizations both within and outside Kwara State, including the Jackson-Fife Foundation (woks for children with disabilities in Nigeria) and Hope & Vision for Ilorin Emirate (H.A.V.E.) Foundation, which focuses on the Ilorin Emirate with prominence on women’s issues.  She is a key member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), receives vast grassroots support throughout Kwara State and beyond. Currently running for Governor of Dwara State in the 2011 gubernatorial elections, she may be the first female governor in Nigeria.

Sources

About Senator Gbemisola Ruqayyah Saraki

More Information

Ghemi Saraki: The Shining Senator

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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.