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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Laila al-Zwaini

photo of Laila al-Zwaini

Known For: Lawyer ; Member of the WISE Shura Council
Dates: Common Era 1965 – Present (CE)
Country: Netherlands

About

Laila al-Zwaini was born in The Netherlands to a Dutch mother and Iraqi father. She earned her law degree (LLM) from Leiden University and her Master’s degree (MA) in Arabic and Islamic Studies from the University of London’s School of Oriental and African Studies. Between 1997 and 2000, she resided extensively in Yemen, conducting field research for her Ph.D. thesis on the functioning of law, shari`a, and tribal custom in courts and among tribes. From 2000 to 2005, she was affiliated with the International Institute for the Study of Islam in the Modern World (ISIM) in Leiden, where she co-initiated the action-research project, “Rights at Home.” 

Ms. Al-Zwaini has worked as an independent scholar and advisor to international organisations and government institutions on judicial reform, human rights, shari`a, tribal custom and arbitration, constitutional process, access to justice, and rule of law programs. In 2007, she joined the Rule of Law Unit of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, of which she was appointed Acting Head from February 2008 to March 2009.  She has co-authored two books: A Bibliography of Islamic Law, 1980-1993 (1994) and Legal Pluralism in the Arab World (1999).

More Information

Laila Al-Zwaini and Rudolph Peters, A Bibliography of Islamic Law, 1980-1993. [Leiden: BRILL, 1994] 

Muslim Leaders of Tomorrow, “Meet the MLTs,” at: http://www.muslimleadersoftomorrow.org/about/search_mlts/9e3624f3e6fa8149645f59eab58f8cee

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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.