Muslim Women: Past and Present

Recommend a Muslim Woman

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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Zakia Nizami Soman

“Muslim women [need] to speak out, not just against patriarchy within the community and unjust personal laws, but also against growing anti-Muslim discrimination.”

Known For: Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan (Indian Muslim Women’s Movement), Founding Member
Country: India

About

Zakia Soman is a founder member of Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan, a mass organization of muslim women in India. She heads the Peace and Human Security theme in Action Aid. She is a member of Saape, South Asian Alliance for Poverty Eradication which engages with the issues of excluded communities regionally.  She works and writes on issues of peace and justice, secularism, human rights, minority rights and rights of muslim women. Her articles advocating rights of Muslim women and tolerance and harmony with other communities are published in various Indian publications. She has edited a book on dalit Muslims and a volume on peace and justice in South Asia. She has been a university lecturer and a newspaper editor in Ahmedabad where she belongs.

Sources

Sikand, Yoginder: Why can’t Muslim women also lead the community

More Information

BMMA Online

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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.