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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Horria Saihi

photo of Horria Saihi Photo courtesy of Africiné

Known For: Award-winning Journalist
Country: Algeria

About

An Algerian television producer, director, filmmaker, and reporter, Horria Saihi has fought government censorship and the threat of fundamentalism since the mid-1980s. She has been condemned to death by Islamic fundamentalists, and went into hiding in late 1994 after discovering that she was on a hit list. Saihi remains in hiding due to the continuance of the death threats against her.

Saihi’s work includes a documentary series on television censorship. Ironically, the series was canceled by the government after six months without explanation. She has also filmed testimonials with the families of victims of Islamic terrorism, revealing the impact of violence on everyday Algerians. Despite the assassination of approximately 70 journalists, including colleagues and friends, Saihi remains determined and committed to her cause.

Saihi travels throughout Algeria to produce her reports and occasionally files stories with French television stations. In 1996, she produced documentaries on the clearing of landmines in Algeria and on female rape victims. Despite the months Saihi spent obtaining the approval of the Algerian government to work on these films, both were censored and have subsequently never been aired.

Sources

International Women’s Media Foundation: Horria Saihi.

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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.