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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  • By Century
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Baroness Pola Uddin

photo of Baroness Pola Uddin First Muslim woman Elected into the UK’s House of Lords

Benazir Bhutto

photo of Benazir Bhutto First Female Prime Minister of Pakistan

Dr. Amal Abdullah Juma Al Qubaisi

no photo available Member, Federal National Council

Faeeza Vaid

photo of Faeeza Vaid Coordinator of the Muslim Women’s Network/ Chairperson of Sister 2 Sister

Fuziah Salleh

photo of Fuziah Salleh Member, Malaysian Parliament (People’s Justice Party)

Hajiya Bilkisu

no photo available Adviser to the Nigerian President on International Affairs/ Columnist/ Executive Director of Advocacy Nigeria

Kashmala Tariq

no photo available Member of the National Assembly of Pakistan

Leila Ben Ali

no photo available Chairwoman of the Arab Women Organisation and First Lady of Tunisia

Maham Anga

no photo available Regent of the Mughal Empire

Melati Abdul Hamid

no photo available Federal Counsel at the International Affairs Division of the Attorney General’s Chambers of Malaysia

Mihrimah Sultana

no photo available Princess of the Ottoman Empire

Nahida Mahboob Ellahi

photo of Nahida Mahboob Ellahi Advocate of the Supreme Court of Pakistan

Nana Asma’u

photo of Nana Asma’u Poet, Scholar

Nur Jahan

no photo available Empress of the Mughal India

Nursuna Memecan

no photo available Member of Turkish Parliament

Princess Adela

no photo available National Family Safety Program, Vice Chair

Queen Arwa al-Sulayhi

photo of Queen Arwa al-Sulayhi Queen of Yemen for over 50 years

Rebiya Kadeer

no photo available President, World Uyghur Congress

Roshanara Begum

no photo available Mughal Princess and Poetess

Roxelana Sultana

no photo available Sultana of the Ottoman Empire

Sayyida al-Hurra

no photo available Pirate Queen

Shajarat al-Durr

no photo available The first woman in Islam to assume the throne on her own right

Sophia Abdi Noor

photo of Sophia Abdi Noor Member of Kenya’s 10th Parliament

Sultan Raziyya

photo of Sultan Raziyya Sultan of Delhi in India from 1236 to 1240; first woman ruler in Muslim and Turkish history

Tahany el-Gebali

no photo available Egypt's First Female Judge

Tjut Njak Dien

photo of Tjut Njak Dien Anti-Colonial Guerilla Fighter

Tuanku Nur Zahirah

photo of Tuanku Nur Zahirah Queen of Malaysia

Umm al-Muqtadir-Billah

no photo available Mother of the Caliph

Zeinabou Hadari

photo of Zeinabou Hadari Permanent Secretary of the CCM (Country Coordinating Mechanism)
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.