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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Manal al Sharif

We are ignorant and illiterate when it comes to driving. You will find a woman with a PhD, a professor at a college and she doesn’t know how to drive.

– Manal al Sharif 5

Known For: Driving in defiance of a ban in Saudi Arabia
Country: Saudi Arabia

About

Manal al Sharif is one of the organizers of an online campaign encouraging women to drive en masse in Saudi Arabia on June 17, 2011.1 Presently, there is no law in Saudi Arabia prohibiting driving as it is not mentioned in the Quran and therefore cannot be prohibited based on religion. It is considered de facto illegal due to a number of fatwas issued to the effect.2

In May 2011, Manal posted a video of herself driving on YouTube.  A few days later she was arrested and her video became inaccessible. Teach Me How to Drive So I Can Protect Myself, a Facebook page started by Manal with more than 12,000 fans was deleted and her Twitter account was copied and altered to make it seem as though she had canceled the event. One of the falsified tweets, discovered by Saudi blogger, Eman al Nafjan read that Manal had repented once she realized the call to lift the ban was an Iranian and atheist conspiracy to lead society to moral decadence.

Despite the Kingdom’s efforts, Manal’s supporters made copies of the Facebook events page after her arrest and her online message about the June 17 protest have been featured on websites by news organizations such as Al Jazeera where they cannot be so easily deleted.3

Manal was eventually released from prison on the condition that she cease encouraging women to participate in the June 17 event.4 Her video is again available on YouTube.

 

[1] Saudi Woman’s Driving Video Preserved Online
[2] Saudi Arabia Gets a Pass
[3] Saudi Woman’s Driving Video Preserved Online
[4] Manal al Sharif is Released in Saudi Arabia
[5] Manal al Sharif Driving in Saudi Arabia

Videos

Manal al Sharif Defies Driving Ban

Manal al Sharif Driving in Saudi Arabia

More Information

Teach Me How to Drive So I Can Protect Myself

Blog: We are Manal al Sharif

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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.