Muslim Women: Past and Present

Recommend a Muslim Woman

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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Raheel Raza

It's not about taking the job of an imam. It's about reminding the Muslim community that 50 per cent of its adherents are women who are equal to men. Women are equally observant, practising Muslims who deserve to be heard.

“First woman to Lead Friday prayers in UK,” The Independent.

Known For: Interfaith & Intercultural Diversity Consultant; Author and Speaker
Dates: 1940
Country: Canada

About

Raheel Raza is the first Muslim woman to lead gender-mixed Friday prayers in Canada. She was born in Pakistan and is known as a journalist, public speaker, activist, interfaith advocate, and filmmaker.

Raheel is one of a growing number of Muslim women/feminists who challenge the idea that women cannot have leadership roles in the mosque or lead gender-mixed prayers. She, along with these women, argue that the hadith, or sayings of the Prophet Muhammad, that many scholars use as justification to exclude women do not officially state that women cannot lead prayers. In June 2010, Raheel led the Friday congregational prayer and delivered a khutbah, or sermon, at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom.

Raheel has been a constant presence as a panelist on a number of networks in Canada. In addition, she works with various boards of education in order to advocate for more inclusive curriculums in Canada. She is currently producing a documentary entitled Religious Tribunals in Ontario and is the author of a book, Their Jihad-Not My Jihad.

Sources

“First woman to Lead Friday prayers in UK,” The Independent.

More Information

Raheel Raza’s Official Website.

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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.