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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Ilhamallah Ferrero

photo of Ilhamallah Ferrero Photo courtesy of Co.Re.Is.

Known For: Secretary-general of the CO.RE.IS. Italiana
Country: Italy

About

Ilhamallah Chiara Ferrero was born in 1974 in Turin, Italy.  She has written numerous essays, which have been published in various national and international reviews.  Ferrero is secretary-general of CO.RE.IS. Italiana (Italian Islamic Religious Community), an organization established by numerous Italian Muslim intellectuals.  It is the only Islamic association in Italy to have a woman on its governing board.  Ferrero became a Muslim in 1996 as the result of a spiritual quest that led her to investigate the Islamic religion and its contemplative aspects. 

Over the last ten years she has tended to focus her activities, including conferences, meetings, and seminars, on providing Westerners with a better understanding of Muslim women in order to dispel prejudices and fears. She has visited various Islamic countries, including Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Malaysia, in order to observe the role of Muslim women in society.  In May 2004, her essay entitled “Knowing Muslim Women”, was published in Yahya Pallavicini’s book, “Islam in Europe: The Reflections of an Italian Imam (Il Saggiatore, Milan). 

In her essay, Ferrero addresses some of the most difficult questions regarding the relationship between Muslim women and Western culture.  In October 2005, at the World Competition for Islamic Studies, Yahya Pallavicini was awarded a prize for the book by the President of the Republic of Tunisia, Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.  The book was described as an ‘example of open-mindedness, moderation and renewal of Islamic thought’.  Ferrero usually participates in public debates on television and newspapers stressing the universal values of Islamic civilization, thus representing the religious interests of Muslims in Italy, Europe and around the globe.

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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.