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 Rima Al-Sabah

“Washington is a political town, and I'm a political animal.”

Known For: Philanthropist
Country: Kuwait

About

In 2009, Sheikha Rima Al-Sabah was named by a prominent Washington D.C. magazine as one of the 100 most distinctive women in Washington in the field of advocacy and nonprofit work. She was the only Arab and foreigner to make the list.

Every year Rima Al-Sabah, along with her husband—Kuwait Ambassador to Washington Salem Al-Sabah—hold an Annual Gala Dinner to raise money for a different beneficiary.

Since 2005, Rima Al-Sabah, who is the Founder and Chairwoman of the Gala, has raised millions of dollars to support various causes: to USA for UNHCR, so as to assist Iraqi refugees wishing to return home; to UNICEF, so as to improve educational opportunities for children in Afghanistan, especially girls; to Project HOPE, so as to develop the Basrah children’s hospital in Iraq. Other money has gone to reducing malaria in Africa, fighting climate change, and helping build schools for girls in remote areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Rima Al-Sabath praises Kuwait as “one of the most philanthropic [countries] in the world.”

Sources

Kuwaiti named one of Washington’s top 100 women in charity work

Vanity Fair: When Washington Was Fun

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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.