12 Inspiring Women in the Islamic World to Emulate
These remarkable individuals challenge stereotypes and excel in today’s world while maintaining a strong connection to their religious and cultural heritage. Kursiv Uzbekistan celebrate 12 inspiring Muslim women whose success is a testament to their intelligence, perseverance and dedication.
Finances
Female Monetarism
Lobna Helal has made significant strides as an Egyptian economist, becoming the first woman in the nation’s history to hold the esteemed position of Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Egypt.
In this influential role, she oversees critical areas such as monetary policy, management of foreign exchange reserves, information technology, research, operations and external relations for the CBE.
Her expertise extends to her membership in key committees and councils, including the Monetary Policy Committee, the National Payments Council and the Prime Minister’s Coordination Council.
Furthermore, Mrs Helal is an active member of the board of directors for Telecom Egypt.
Lobna Helal is ranked second on Forbes’ list of the 100 most influential Arab businesswomen, following Lubna Olayan, a prominent figure in the Olayan Financing family conglomerate in Saudi Arabia.
Parliament
Lady Speaker
Tanzila Narbayeva serves as the Speaker of the Senate of the Republic of Uzbekistan, marking a historic achievement as the first woman to occupy this significant position within the state hierarchy.
Before her election as the leader of the upper chamber of parliament, she made notable contributions as the Chairperson of the Women’s Committee of Uzbekistan in her role as Deputy Prime Minister. Additionally, she has a strong background in labour relations, having previously led the Federation.
Public Administration
Triple First
Halima Yacob has made history as Singapore’s first female president, serving from September 4, 2017, to September 13, 2023.
Before her presidency, she held the esteemed position of Speaker of Parliament for five years, marking another significant achievement as the first woman to do so in Singapore’s history. Additionally, she is recognised as the first Muslim woman to ascend to the country’s highest levels of political leadership.
Mrs. Yacob is also celebrated for her commitment to activism and philanthropy, particularly advocating for women’s rights, the elderly and individuals with mental health challenges.
In May 2023, she further strengthened international relations by visiting Uzbekistan and engaging in productive discussions with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
Business
The Rise After the Fall
Maha Al Ghunaim, a prominent Kuwaiti businesswoman, cofounded Global Investment House. She is recognised as the sixth most influential Arab businesswoman-led firm by Forbes.
A decade after its establishment, Global Investment House achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first Kuwaiti company to be listed on the London Stock Exchange.
Although this launch coincided with the challenges of the 2008 financial crisis, Al Ghunaim demonstrated remarkable resilience by successfully steering the company towards recovery.
Today, Al Ghunaim manages an impressive portfolio, with $3.6 billion in assets under her direction.
Fashion
Like Mother, Like Daughter
Rayan Al Suleimani, an Emirati businesswoman, is the CEO of the renowned fashion house Atelier Zuhra.
Following her mother’s legacy, Muse Al Awfi, Rayan has successfully elevated the brand to an international stage.
Atelier Zuhra’s exquisite dresses have graced red carpets worn by celebrities such as Eva Longoria, Ellie Goulding, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Sonam Kapoor, showcasing the brand’s appeal and craftsmanship.
Building on this success, Rayan strategically plans to expand Atelier Zuhra into other Gulf countries and Europe, further enhancing its global presence.
Court
On Guard of Themis
Nusrat Chaudhry has made history as the first Muslim woman and the second individual of her faith to be appointed as a federal judge in the United States.
Nominated by President Joe Biden in January 2023, the US Senate permanently confirmed her appointment in June.
Before stepping into this significant role, Chaudhry served as the legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union in Illinois. In this capacity, she vigorously defended the rights of migrants and Americans from diverse backgrounds.
Human Rights Defence
Young and Courageous
Malala Yousafzai is a Pakistani defender for human rights, recognised globally for her dedication to promoting access to education for girls and women. Her unwavering commitment to this cause has highlighted the obstacles many face in pursuing their right to education, despite significant adversity.
In 2012, Malala survived an assassination attempt by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, sustaining serious injuries but demonstrating incredible resilience.
Following this harrowing experience, she and her father established the Malala Fund in 2013, which actively seeks to enhance educational opportunities for girls worldwide.
In 2014, at just 16 years old, Malala was honoured with the Nobel Peace Prize, becoming the youngest laureate in the award’s history.
Cinema
The Rise of Mahira Khan
Mahira Khan is a celebrated actress known for her work in Pakistani and Indian cinema. She made her cinematic debut in 2011 with the film “Bol,” which achieved remarkable success and became the highest-grossing film in the history of Pakistani cinema. In 2017, she expanded her horizons by making her Bollywood debut.
Her film “Rich” attracted significant attention upon its release, sparking controversy due to some professional Indian film associations’ reluctance to showcase films featuring Pakistani actors. The film faced a ban in Pakistan, highlighting the complexities of cross-border collaborations in the film industry.
With a filmography that includes more than ten movies, Mahira Khan has established herself as one of the highest-paid actresses in Bollywood.
Sport
Hijab and Sabre
Ibtihaj Muhammad is a trailblazing athlete who has made significant contributions to the world of sabre fencing.
As the first Muslim female athlete to compete in the Olympics wearing a hijab, she has garnered attention and respect for her achievements and her commitment to her faith.
Growing up in an African-American Muslim family in the United States, Ibtihaj has achieved remarkable success, including winning two gold medals at the Pan American Games, earning three bronze and one gold medal at the World Championships, and securing a bronze medal at the Rio Olympics.
In 2017, Mattel honoured her legacy by selecting her as the inspiration for the first hijab-wearing Barbie doll.
Science
COVID Fighter
Kunsulu Zakaria is a distinguished biosecurity scientist from Kazakhstan, celebrated for her significant contributions to public health, particularly as the inventor of the QazVac vaccine against coronavirus.
In recognition of her impactful work in promoting vaccination, she was honoured in early 2023 by the global initiative International Woman’s Day (IWD) as one of the world’s top women in this field.
Mrs. Zakaria has an extensive portfolio of scientific achievements, including numerous publications in prestigious journals, the authorship of monographs, the development of patents, and regulatory and technical documents.
Armed Forces
Desert Maiden
Mariam Al Mansouri stands as a pioneering figure in the United Arab Emirates as the first female fighter pilot, holding the esteemed rank of squadron commander and major. Her journey toward aviation began in her school years, demonstrating her passion and ambition, although she had to wait until women were granted the opportunity to fly.
Al Mansouri made her mark in history by participating in combat operations against the so-called ‘Islamic State’ in Syria, flying an F-16 aircraft. Her remarkable contributions earned her titles, such as Lady Liberty and Maiden of the Desert, in various media outlets, highlighting her significant role in the UAE’s military efforts.
Mass Media
Fearless Journalist
Khadija Patel is a prominent South African journalist of Asian origine. She has a broad range of experience with respected news organisations, including Daily Maverick and City Press in South Africa, as well as international outlets such as Sky News, BBC News, Quartz, Al Jazeera, and The Guardian.
Her leadership capabilities were highlighted when she headed the editorial team at the Mail & Guardian.
In a significant milestone for diversity and representation in journalism, Patel became the first woman and Muslim to lead the International Press Institute in 2021, an organisation renowned for advocating press freedom worldwide.
Her dedication to fearless reporting has earned her recognition from influential figures, including former US President Obama, who praised her as a ‘fearless journalist.’
