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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Halide Edib Adivar

"I was convinced that sometimes the humblest and most anonymous individual could represent the high ideal of a great nation."

—Global Village.

photo of Halide Edib Adivar Credit: Heba Amin

Known For: Novelist, Professor, Women’s Activist
Dates: Hijri 1299-1383 (AH)
Common Era 1882-1964 (CE)
Country: Turkey

About

Halide Edib Adivar juggled multiple roles as a professor, author, nationalist and feminist. Born in Istanul, Turkey, she attended the American College for Girls and was one of the first Ottoman Muslim women to receive a western education. Her father, a bureaucrat for the last Ottoman Sultan, defied the standards of the times and actively supported his daughter’s education. 

After graduating, Halide married her teacher, Salih Zeki Bey, with whom she had two children. In 1908 she founded the Society for the Elevation of Women and published her first two novels the following year. Halide later divorced her husband, and began teaching at an all-girls’ high school. She improved the curriculum and added additional courses to include language and science. Halide’s involvement at the high school motivated her to advocate for women’s education and empowerment. 

During a trip to Syria, Halide met and married her second husband, Dr. Adnan Adivar. After her return, Halide began lecturing at Istanbul’s Faculty of Letters.

Halide soon became involved in Turkey’s nationalist movement, giving speeches and working as a nurse and solider in the Turkish War of Independence. She was awarded her the rank of corporal, making her the only female officer at that time. After Turkey gained its independence, Halide lived abroad with her husband, returning in 1939 to create the English Language and Literature Department at Istanbul University. She died in 1964.

Sources

Sep Riahi, Natalie Maydelland. Extraordinary Women From The Muslim World. Global Content Ventures: 2008.

More Information

Halide Edib Adivar Biography

Notable Ladies: Halide Edip Adivar

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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.