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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Mukhtaran Mai

Life and death are in the hands of Allah … I will not shut my school and other projects.

“Pakistan court acquits suspects in Mukhtaran Mai case,” Dawn.com

photo of Mukhtaran Mai Photo © BasicTV.

Known For: Women’s rights advocate
Country: Pakistan

About

In 2002, at the age of thirty-three, Mukhtar Mai was brutally gang-raped in her rural village of Meerwala, located in the Punjab region of Pakistan. While the experience left her emotionally scarred, Mukhtar refused to remain silent, and brought her fourteen male perpetrators to court in a human rights case that eventually reached the Lahore High Court and garnered worldwide attention.1  Although some of her attackers were acquitted, Mukhtar set about improving conditions and access to education in her village for girls and women, in part using the government-issued compensation she received as a result of her case. She has since founded a school for girls—known as the Mukhtar Mai Girls Model School—that she enrolled in herself to increase her literacy.2  Mukhtar also established an ambulance service and women’s resource and crisis center in Meerwala3  , and recently published an autobiography, Dishonored.4  She continues to receive domestic and international donations to fund her pursuits, and in 2005 was named both Glamour magazine’s Woman of the Year and one of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential people.5 

 

[1] BBC Profile: Mukhtar Mai
[2] “A One-Woman War on Injustice,” Glamour.
[2] New York Times Topics: Mukhtar Mai
[2] “‘My life is in danger,’” Daily Mail.
[2] “A One-Woman War on Injustice,” Glamour.

Sources

“‘My life is in danger,’” Daily Mail.
“Pakistan court acquits suspects in Mukhtaran Mai case,” Dawn.com
New York Times Topics: Mukhtar Mai
“A One-Woman War on Injustice,” Glamour.

More Information

BBC Profile: Mukhtar Mai

New York Times Topics: Mukhtar Mai

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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.