United States
Founder of Muslimaat al-Nisaa
Hijri - Unknown-Present (AH); Common Era - Unknown-Present (CE)
Asma Hanif is the director and founder of the only Muslim women’s shelter in the United States. Through her innovative non-profit, Hanif is able to provide women escaping domestic violence, poverty, or homelessness a safe space that is considerate of their needs and preferences as Muslims. Hanif is known to never turn down a Muslim sister, answering her phone at any hour to guide women to shelter. The group prays five times a day, eats halal food, and lifts each other up as Muslim women to fill the gap that other social services do not provide. Since its founding in 1987, Muslimaat al-Nissa has served over 5,000 community members every year with job trainings, food and clothing drives, and of course, beds for those without shelter. President Barack Obama honored her outstanding work with an invitation to the White House in 2014 at a Women’s History Month celebration.
