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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Soraya Jamjuree

Being followers of Islam does not restrict us. We only want to protect our identity and be free to practice our customs as Muslims. If this is understood by other people, then we can live without conflict. 4

– Soraya Jamjuree

Known For: Lecturer at Prince Songkhla University
Country: Thailand

About

Soraya Jamjuree is a Professor at Prince Songkhla University in the southern province of Pattani in Thailand. She is also the director of Friends of Victimized Families, a group of university students that travel to remote villages across southern Thailand to offer support to women and children who have lost husbands, brothers and sons to violence.1 Soraya’s main activity with Friends of Victimized Families is to produce a community radio program to empower women who have never been head of household and to build their confidence. 

Volunteers of the radio program learn to become reporters and share stories pertinent to their audience; child rearing, education, health and controversial issues such as financial compensation for widows or family members who lost their loved ones to violence.  Soraya believes that Islam does not restrict women from being productive both inside and outside the home. Her family supported her desire for higher education.  Now she is married and has a daughter who is also eager to have a career one day.2

In 2010, Soraya helped to organize Through Our Eyes – Windows into the Lives of Affected People from the Deep South, a photo exhibition at the Chulalongkom University’s Art Centre.  She felt that the photos taken by amateur photographers portrayed a more authentic picture of people who live in the south, their sense of identity and place and not just the violence shown by mainstream media.3

 

[1] Frontline World: Thailand - Women for Peace..
[2] IPS: Muslim Women living in Southern Thailand want Peace.
[3] Bangkok Post: Windows to the Deep South.
[4] IPS: Muslim Women living in Southern Thailand want Peace.

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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.