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.

  • By Category
  • By Name
  • By Century
  • By Country
  • Search


Ilham Badreddine Mahfouz

"I look at life with a sense of liberation, [hoping] for a better world filled with peace and harmony."

– Ilham Badreddine Mahfouz in an interview with Mehmet Dede

Known For: Painter and ceramist; past president of International Muslimah Artists Network
Dates: 1956 CE – Present
Country: United States

About

Ilham Badreddine Mahfouz was born in 1956 in Damascus, Syria and immigrated to the United States in 1972. She studied interior design at LaSalle University in Chicago and went on to earn a bachelor of fine arts in painting and ceramics at Eastern Michigan University.

Ilham’s art is a combination of influences. She draws on impressionist and abstract traditions in her painting, but also weaves in Arabic calligraphy.1  She has exhibited her award-winning paintings and ceramics at solo and group shows around the United States.  In addition to her shows, her work has been published in books such as Masters of Today (2009).2 

In 1994, she cofounded Alternative Artist’s Group in which she remains an active member. In 1997, she served as president of the International Muslimah Artists’ Network (IMAN).  The organization aims to expand opportunities for Muslim women in the visual and performing arts as well as in literature and poetry.

Following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, Ilham used art as a catalyst for healing and dialog.  She organized “Visions of Peace: Arab American Artists,” which was “the first exhibit in the [United States] to explore Arab Americans’ artistic reactions to September 11.”3

 

[1] “Ilham Badreddine Mahfouz,” Encyclopedia of Arab Artists.

[2] Ilham Badreddine Mahfouz, official Website.

[3] “Ilham Badreddine Mahfouz,” Encyclopedia of Arab Artists.

 

Sources

“Ilham Badreddine Mahfouz,” Encyclopedia of Arab Artists.

Ilham Badreddine Mahfouz, official Website.

More Information

Ilham’s official Website

RSS Bookmark and Share
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.
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
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.