A few weeks ago, I wrote an article that lists out some incredibly successful African women. I did this because these entrepreneurs never seem to get the attention and recognition they deserve. As a woman from Kenya, I was tired of hearing about what non-Africans were doing to “save” the continent, and wanted to shed light on some of our homegrown talents. After it was posted, I felt triumphant, I was proud that I had done something about the lack of representation, yet something was still missing. This week I want to continue this series of “Successful ___ Women,” for I am not just Kenyan, but I am also a Muslim. I feel like Muslim women so often get the short end of the stick. The accurate representation we receive is scarce and camouflaged, while the dominant perspectives portray us as submissive and weak. For the rest of this article, I will be highlighting some successful Muslim women among us in the twenty-first century.
- Yasmin Mogahed, Egypt/United States
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Yasmin Mogahed is one of the most prominent Muslim scholars around the world. She completed her Bachelors of Science in psychology and has also completed a Masters in journalism and mass communication at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Aside from studying Islam, Mogahed is the author of three books titled: Reclaim Your Heart; Love & Happiness; and Love & Happiness: A Collection of Personal Reflections and Quotes.
- Dalia Mogahed, Egypt/United States
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Another successful Muslim woman is none other than Yasmin Mogahed’s older sister Dalia. Dalia is also a Muslim scholar and is currently the Director of Research at the Institute of Social Policy and Social Understanding in Washington. Dalia Mogahed is widely known for her scholarship on American-Muslims. Much like her younger sister, Dalia is the author of a book titled, Who Speaks for Islam? What a Billion Muslims Really Think.
- Ibtihaj Muhammad, United States
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If this name seems familiar to those of you who are reading, it is because Ibtihaj Muhammad is one of the first Muslim women to compete during the Olympics whilst wearing the hijab. Raised in Maplewood, New Jersey, Ibtihaj won her first Olympic medal for the United States in the 2016 Olympics for the women’s individual saber. Regardless of the medal’s bronze color, Ibtihaj has since become a well-known celebrity in the US and around the world. Since the last Olympics, Ibtihaj has gone on to write a book about her journey to the world’s biggest stage for athletes titled, PROUD: My Fight for an Unlikely American Dream.
- Linda Sarsour, Palestine/United States
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In a world full of issues and injustices comes a platform for those who are passionate for a change for the good. We know of Emma Gonzalez, Greta Thunberg and the countless others fighting for change. One other prominent political activist is Linda Sarsour who was the co-chair of the Women’s March in 2017 as well as the author of We are Not Here to Be Bystanders: A Story of Love and Resistance.
- Hodan Nalayeh, Somalia/Canada
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Hodan Nalayeh was a Somali-Canadian media executive, marketing consultant, social activist and entrepreneur. She was a producer for shows such as So You Think You Can Dance and American Idol, and an advocate for the Somali community. Unfortunately, she, her husband, and their unborn child passed away this July after an attack on the hotel they were staying at in Kismayo, Somalia. A small memorial was held at this year’s Muslim Fest in Mississauga, in her honor. Surely her legacy will never be forgotten.
- Noor Tagouri, Libya/United States
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Noor Tagouri is a Libyan-American journalist, activist and motivational speaker. She has dedicated her life to bringing awareness to issues that often go unnoticed. Tagouri is behind Sold in America, a documentary that covers the ongoing sex trade in the United State. As someone so young, we can only imagine what her future holds.
The women I mentioned above are just a fraction of the incredible Muslim women out there. There are numerous artists, athletes, scholars, social activists, etc. around the world that have yet to be discovered. I just hope that this small list will motivate you all to find about other women who are working to achieve a change for the better.