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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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.
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
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.


Abidah Al-Madaniyyah

no photo available Hadith Scholar

Aisha bint Abu Bakr

no photo available Extensive knowledge of Islam and Islamic jurisprudence; hadith transmitter; social and military leader of the Muslim community

Akanke Abdul-Khalliq

photo of Akanke Abdul-Khalliq Communications Specialist

Alaa Nasief

photo of Alaa Nasief Founder and General Manager of Hadara

Amrah bint Abdur-Rahman

no photo available Jurist, a Mufti, and Hadith specialist

Claire Alkouatli

photo of Claire Alkouatli Founder and Research & Development Manager, Enchanted Garden Child Enrichment Center

Dilara Hafiz

photo of Dilara Hafiz Author

Dr. Khawla Al-Kuraya

no photo available Scientist; Granted First Rank King Abdulaziz

Fatima bint Muhammad

no photo available Mother of Shi’ism

Fatin Yousef Bundagji

no photo available Director of Women Empowerment & Research, Jeddah Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Fawziah Alhani

photo of Fawziah Alhani Social and Human Rights Activist

Hafsa bint Umar

no photo available “The Memorizer of the Qur’an”

Hatoon Al Fassi

photo of Hatoon Al Fassi Professor, King Saud University, Riyadh

Hissa Hilal

photo of Hissa Hilal Poet, editor

Khadijah bint Khuwaylid

no photo available The first convert to Islam, ‘Mother of the Believers’ and ‘The Best of Women’

Lama Al-Sulaiman

no photo available President, Khadijah bint Khuwalid Center for Businesswomen

Lolwah Al-Faisal

no photo available Vice-Chair of the Board of Trustees and General Supervisor, Effat College

Maha Akeel

photo of Maha Akeel Managing Editor of OIC Journal (Organization of the Islamic Conference)

Maha Fetayhi

no photo available Former UAE Minister of Economy and Planning; Businesswoman

Maliha Ahmed Alshehab

no photo available Board member, contributor to Al-Waref Institute; Activist

Manal al Sharif

no photo available Driving in defiance of a ban in Saudi Arabia

Manal Radwan

no photo available Assistant Director for Political and Congressional Affairs at the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia

Maymuna bint Al-Harith

no photo available Last wife of the Prophet Muhammad--"Mother of the Believers"

Muna AbuSulayman

photo of Muna AbuSulayman Executive Director of the Kingdom Foundation, Saudi Arabia / Fashion Designer

Ni’mah Isma’il Nawwab

photo of Ni’mah Isma’il Nawwab Poet, Writer, Lecturer, Photographer, Activist, Humanitarian

Nusayba bint Ka’b al-Ansariyah

no photo available Early convert to Islam, first female to fight in defense of Islam

Princess Adela

no photo available National Family Safety Program, Vice Chair

Rasha Hefzi

no photo available MD of Think N Link Cooperation

Reem Al Faisal

no photo available Photographer

Samar Fatany

photo of Samar Fatany Chief Broadcaster, Radio Jeddah
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.