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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HRH Princess Lalla Salma

“…there can be no political or institutional empowerment of women unless their economic, social and cultural rights are promoted, and unless women become part and parcel of the development process.” HRH Princess Lalla Salma

photo of HRH Princess Lalla Salma Photo credit: AP Images

Known For: Princess of Morocco
Dates: Hijri 1398 - present (AH)
Common Era 1978 – present (CE)
Country: Morocco

About

Princess Lalla Salma of Morocco, born Salma Bennani, is the first women in Morocco to have been given the official title of Her Royal Highness Princess Lalla Salma after marrying King Mohamed VI of Morocco. Although she has remained distant from the public eye, Princess Salma has been an activist in the fields of cancer research, HIV/AIDs prevention and women’s right in Morocco.

Born in Fes, Princess Lalla Salma was raised by her grandmother after her mother died when Salma was 3 years old. After obtaining a degree in computer science from l’Ecole Nationale Superieure d’Informatique et d’Analyse des Systemes (ENSIAS), she worked for Omnium North Africa, Morocco’s largest private corporation. A few years later in 2002, she was married to the King.

Since receiving the title of Princess, Princess Lalla Salma has kept a low profile although she is more active than her predecessors. She is an advocate for cancer prevention, founding the Lalla Salma Association against Cancer foundation and supporting several cancer prevention foundations in the country. She is the WHO Goodwill Ambassador for the promotion of prevention and cancer care, and was recently awarded the International Union against Cancer Special Representative position for their “Today’s children, tomorrow’s world” campaign. She is also involved in working on issues of AIDS prevention in Africa and women’s empowerment.  In December of 2008, Princess Lalla was awarded the highest decoration in Senegal, the Grande Croix de l’Ordre national du mérité, because of her humanitarian work in Morocco and abroad.

Sources

Lalla Salma says women empowerment pillar of democratic Morocco”

Mohamed VI & Salma

HRH Princess Lalla Salma of Morocco accepts role as UICC Special Representative

Princess Lalla Salma receives Grand Cross of the National Order of Merit of Senegal

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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.
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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.