Commemorating Women's Day, we reminisce about “viral trends” that addressed women’s rights, including “Her rights and duties” and “Which things she is obliged to do?” and undermined, or even, marginalized the role of women and their esteem. Such trends seem to be the right word with the wrong implications. Over decades, addressing women’s issues has become a renewed core of community-based topics, under the motto of “Women should engage, not forsake.”
Reviewing Muslim women’s, particularly pioneering ones, efforts to achieve development in various aspects of life seems to be diving deep into an infinite ocean. Hence, let us take a quick glimpse into only a few luminous female Muslims from different eras whose journeys are bright. However, we will not consider the early days of Islam, which were replete with wonderful examples, such as the Mothers of the Believers and the descendants of the Companions and Followers—may Allah be pleased with them all—who supported Islam, sheltered believers, fought with Muslims, healed the wounded, and taught knowledge in various fields. They, thus, presented the best model of psychological, familial, and societal balance, whether as wives, mothers, daughters, or sisters. The following lines will highlight examples of women from a late time in the Islamic history till the recent time to be more consistent with an attainable reality.
Fatima al-Samarqandiyya:
Fatima al-Samarqandiyya was a brilliant example of prominent female scholar who lived in the 12th century. She was a high-profile Muslims scholar specialized in Hadith and Hanafi Fiqh. She was born in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. Her father, jurist Alaa al-Din ibn Muhammad ibn Ahmad al-Samarqandi, was one of the greatest jurists of the Hanafi school of Fiqh at the time. He wrote Tuḥfat al-Fuqaha. Her husband was his student whose nickname was "King of Scholars". He made a commentary on her father’s book entitled Badi‘ al-Sana’i‘ fi Tarteeb al-Shara’i‘. Fatima did not suffice herself to only learn from her father, yet she sought knowledge at the hands of many other scholars. Her father would prioritize her fatwas and take them into his consideration. She wrote down many books on the Hanafi Fiqh.
She was a prominent member of the Shura (Advisory) council for the just king Nur Al-Din Zanki (King of Egypt and the Levant) at the time. Out of her piety, she sold its bracelets for the sake of Allah and gave out their value for charitable causes and feeding the poor in the month of fasting, Ramadan.
Mama Shamsa
Moving to another country and era, Shamsa Abu Bakr Fadel, known as "Mama Shamsa", is a peacemaker and social activist who won Zayed Award for Human Fraternity in 2023. She launched several major campaigns in Africa, in general, and Kenya, in particular, to raise awareness of violence against women and the importance of empowering youth. In 2014, she established a community institution, aiming at supporting Kenya's women and youth. He was the first woman to be nominated to head the Peace and Security Committee in Nyali. In 2019, she launched a universal reform campaign to rehabilitate youth, achieving a breakthrough in the lives of more than 10,000 youth, and providing them with psychological rehabilitation and training before they were reintegrated with society.
After winning the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity of one USD million, she launched an initiative called "Zayed Grant" to support small projects in Kenya, and managed to support more than 4000 individuals by providing the essentials to improve livelihoods. Her humanitarian efforts focused on combating crimes to reduce poverty and build a more stable future.
Dr. Samira Musa
Another inspiring model is Dr. Samira Musa, who was the first Egyptian woman to obtain a doctorate in nuclear energy. She devoted herself to using science for medical purposes and promoting peace. She had a famous saying: "My wish is that the nuclear treatment for cancer be as affordable and cheap as aspirin."
Dr. Elham Fadaly
In a similar context over the decades, we are proud of an Egyptian woman who obtained award for the best research in science 2020 at Eindhoven University. Dr. Elham Fadaly and her team at the Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands won the Physics World 2020 Breakthrough of the Year. Her research focuses on creating a silicon-based material that emits light efficiently at wavelengths in the range of the optical telecommunications window. She is the first Egyptian to win this award.
Dr. Rana Hamed Awadin
Regarding the literary field, Dr. Rana Hamed Awadin is the first blind researcher to obtain a doctorate in English literature with first-class honors from the Faculty of Arts, Mansoura University, Egypt. Prof. Sherif Khater, President of Mansoura University, honored her for her excellence in the academic and knowledge field, for challenging difficulties in seeking knowledge, and for being an honorable example of a patient and persistent young lady.
Dr. Reham Abdullah Salama
We conclude our brief journey with Dr. Reham Abdullah Salama; the example to conclude with. Dr. Reham is an assistant professor at the Faculty of Humanities Studies at Al-Azhar University, the director of the Al-Azhar Observatory for Combating Extremism (AOCE) since 2021, an ambassador of Religions for Peace, and a winner of the Prize of President Abdel Fattah El -Sisi for Egyptian women's models award for her tremendous efforts in the field of combating violent extremism and promoting peace. At the unique Egyptian institution AOCE, She leads prominent dedicated researchers specialized in different fields and operating in multiple languages. They achieve a remarkable balance between the prestigious past and modernity, refuting extremist allegations, and protecting the young generations from falling prey to extremism, based on the Almighty saying, “You are the best nation produced [as an example] for mankind. You enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong,” and “And We sent not before you, [O Muhammad], except men to whom We revealed [the message], so ask the people of the message if you do not know.”
It is worth mentioning here that the AOCE pays special attention to women and their empowerment. There are different works on women's issues, such as: "Women and ISIS". Several women's issues are discussed in the AOCE’s magazines, the Arabic Marsad, and the English Step Forward. Several online awareness campaigns on women were launched in various languages as well, such as "Prominent Women", "You are a Queen", "Their Accomplishments Inspire Me", among others. They highlight the role of women and their remarkable efforts and raise awareness of their rights and responsibilities in our contemporary world.
Finally, it is worthy to quote the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar saying: “The Palestinian woman sets an example of resilience, courage, and attachment to her homeland, despite the ethnic cleansing and genocide she faces, as well as the double standards with which the international community treats Palestinian women, often viewing them as less human than Western women. I am astonished when some raise the banners of women's rights, only to intentionally condone them when it comes to the most basic rights of the Palestinian woman to live and enjoy safety. What we witness in the Palestinian people's unwavering attachment to their land and homeland is the fruit of the values that Palestinian mothers have instilled in their children. History will long pause and bow its head to the Palestinian woman who clung to her homeland and its resources, and, through her steadfastness, shattered the strength of the oppressive occupiers.”