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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Turhan Hatice

Known For: Valide Sultan of the Ottoman Empire
Dates: 1037-1094 Hijri
1628-1683 CE

Country: Turkey

About

Turhan Hatice was a favorite concubine of the Sultan Ibrahim I who became the mother of his heir, Mehmed IV. During the reign of her young son, Turhan had a prominent role and was known as a patroness of building.

Most likely given to Ibrahim I by his mother Kösem Sultan as a concubine, Turhan soon became a favorite of Ibrahim I, and bore him Mehmed IV, his son and heir. However, Ibrahim I was regarded as mentally unstable and in the eighth year of his reign, was deposed and strangled, leaving Mehmed as sultan. Kösem Sultan, his grandmother, acted as Mehmed’s regent and while the title of valide sultan or queen mother should have gone to Turhan, Kösem usurped that position.

However, Kösem had incorrectly gauged Turhan’s ambition and a struggle for ascendancy ensued between the two women, with Turhan supported by the head eunuch and vizier and Kösem by the Janissaries. While there is no direct evidence to implicate Turhan in the murder of Kösem, she was murdered and Turhan became valide sultan and regent.

Inexperienced, Turhan began to rely heavily in political matters on the vizier and instead focused her energies on royal patronage and expansive building projects. Her most impressive accomplishment was the Yeni Valide Mosque, which was the first imperial mosque built by a woman. Its complex included a mosque, school, public fountains, market, and a tomb. She also constructed a mosque to Islamize an important area of Istanbul and built two fortresses to defend the Dardanelles.

Sources

Peirce, L. (1993). The Imperial Harem: Women and Sovereignty in the Ottoman Empire. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Thys-Senocak, L. (2006). Ottoman Women Builders. Aldershot: Ashgate.

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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.