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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Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser al Missned

Muslim countries prohibiting the education of women is not because they are Muslim. There are other cultural aspects” that guide those decisions. She said it was important to educate women because both sexes had to “share in the responsibility of their societies in the Middle East.

—Sheikha Mozah in a speech to the Los Angeles World Affairs Council

photo of Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser al Missned Photo Credit: AP Images

Known For: Philanthropist
Country: Qatar

About

Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al-Missned of Qatar has played an influential role in the development of higher education for Qatar and the Middle East. She is the second of three wives of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.

Sheikha Mozah graduated from Qatar University in 1986 with a degree in Sociology and has been awarded honorary doctorates from Virginia Commonwealth University, Texas A&M University, Carnegie Mellon University, Imperial College London, and Georgetown University School of Foreign Service. 

In 2003, she was appointed Special Envoy for Basic and Higher Education by UNESCO. In her work with UNESCO, Sheikha Mozah has been active in promoting and protecting the right to education in conflict-hit areas, particularly Gaza, Iraq and Afghanistan. In the same year, she also established the International Fund for Higher Education in Iraq. In 2005, UN General-Secretary Kofi Annan appointed her as a member of the High Level Group of the UN Alliance of Civilizations.

Sheikha Mozah is currently serving as Chairperson of the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development. She is responsible for creating Education City, which has brought together branches of renowned universities to ‘a campus of the future.’ Sheikha Mozah is the President for the Supreme Council for Family Affairs, Vice Chairperson of both the Supreme Educational Council and the Supreme Health Council and Chairperson of the Arab Democracy Foundation.  She is also the founder of Shafallah Center for Children with Special Needs.

Sheikha Mozah was awarded the Chatham House Award in 2007, which is given annually to an international statesperson who has made a significant contribution to the improvement of international relations. Forbes Magazine named her one of the 100 most powerful women in the world in 2007 and the Times of London named her one of the most 25 most influential business leaders in the Middle East.

Sources

Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al Missned’s Website

Videos

Sheikha Mozah

More Information

People of the Decade: Sheikha Mozah of Qatar

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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.