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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Shehrbano Taseer

If the extremists could get to the governor of the largest province, is anyone safe? 3

– Shehrbano Taseer.

Known For: Journalist and civil society activist
Country: Pakistan

About

Shehrbano Taseer is a Pakistani journalist and civil society activist. Her father Salman Taseer, the former governor of Pakistan’s Punjab province was assassinated in January 2011 for his stand that Pakistan’s discriminatory blasphemy laws should be revised. 

Since her father’s murder, Shehrbano has become an outspoken civil society activist and one of Pakistan’s most articulate and recognizable critics of extremism.1 She has written countless articles in some of the world’s most prominent newspapers, such as the Guardian and The New York Times, to pay tribute to her father and to draw attention to the dire circumstances for moderate voices in Pakistan.

According to Shehrbano, the voices of all those like her father, the millions who believe in the secular vision of Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the country’s founder, must not be silenced. There are those who believe that Salman Taseer’s death was the final nail in the coffin for a tolerant Pakistan. However, Shehrbano believes that it was her father that was buried and not the courage he inspired in others.2

Along with her writing, Shehrbano is also known for her speeches in which she discusses how extremism affects Pakistani civil society, how it has taken root in the country’s political and religious culture and what young and moderates Pakistanis can do to challenge this extremism.

 

[1] Guardian: Salman Taseer Assasination Pakistan Blasphemy Laws.
[2] NY Times: My Father Died for Pakistan.
[3] ibid.

Videos

The Extemists are not a Majority

More Information

Guardian Interview

NY Times Op-ed

BBC Hardtalk

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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.