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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Sakeena Yacoobi

"When I was (a girl) in Afghanistan, my father could have married me to someone. I had many people come to ask for my hand. But my father asked me, 'Do you want to marry or do you want to study?' And I said, 'I want to study.' He said, 'As long as you want to study, I let you.'"8 – Sakeena Yacoobi

Country: Afghanistan

About

Sakeena Yacoobi founded the Afghan Institute of Learning (AIL) in 1995 to help increase literacy rates and improve the overall quality of education in her native country.1 This has proven to be an immense and dangerous undertaking.

During the six-year rule of the Taliban, any institution or individual appearing to be influenced by Western culture was subject to attack by militants.2  And although, the Taliban are no longer in power, the risk of violence has not completely diminished. Despite the adverse conditions, Sakeena presses on.3

Born in Herat, Afghanistan, Sakeena was raised by parents who encouraged her pursuit of education, a rare opportunity for women in the region.4 Until 1992, she led a comfortable life as an Afghan immigrant and teacher in the US when she visited Afghan refugee camps in Pakistan.  Upon seeing the conditions of the women and children there, she decided to dedicate her life to their cause.5

Sakeena was inducted into the inaugural Enterprising Women’s Hall of Fame in 2011 for her work with AIL. She was nominated by Oklahoma City businesswoman and founder of the Institute for Economic Improvement for Women, Terry Neese, who remarked, “Her visionary work is an example to everyone that women can persevere through the most challenging times to help build their country and educate their people.”6

She is also a recipient of the Gruber Prize for Women’s Rights and a Nobel Peace Prize nominee.7

[1] Architects of Peace Foundation: Sakeena Yacoobi.
[2] Architects of Peace Foundation: Sakeena Yacoobi.
[3] YouTube: Sakeena Yacoobi Seeks to Improve Afghan Women’s Lives
[4] Architects of Peace Foundation: Sakeena Yacoobi.
[5] YouTube: Sakeena Yacoobi Seeks to Improve Afghan Women’s Lives
[6] NewsOK: OK businesswoman Terry Neese inducts Afghan woman into hall of fame for enterprising women
[7] Architects of Peace Foundation: Sakeena Yacoobi.
[8] Architects of Peace Foundation: Sakeena Yacoobi.

 

 

Videos

Sakeena Yacoobi Seeks to Better Afghan Women’s Lives

More Information

Afghan Institute of Learning

Creating Hope

Architects of Peace Foundation: Sakeena Yacoobi

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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.