7 Muslim Human Rights Activists and Feminists to Follow Online

The recent protests in Iran have drawn the world's attention to the courage of women who oppose the oppression of an authoritarian regime. However, it has also opened debates on machismo in the Muslim world and the dangers of Islamic fundamentalism for human rights. There has also been discussion around Islamophobia and racism against Muslims.

In fact, there have been debates about demonstrations by famous Western women who pretend to show support for Iranian women and end up drawing the attention of the world press. But, really, those who should be under the spotlight are those women who are fighting to change situations and show the world what is happening in their countries. Likewise, in social networks it is possible to see a strong ignorance of the Muslim world, which leads to making generalizations and replicating stigmatizing, re-victimizing or wrong imaginaries.

For this reason, we present to you 7 Muslim feminist and human rights activists who will give you insight into other perspectives.

1. Safia El-Aaddam

She is an activist, with Amazigh roots from Morocco, known on social networks as @hijadeinmigrantes who has led an anti-racist movement in Spain. El Aaddam has campaigned against institutional racism and has written a novel. In it, she tells a fictional story, inspired by her real experiences and those of other children of immigrants.

2. Somaya Faruqi

She is a 20-year-old woman, leader of the Afghan Dreamers, a robotics group that during the pandemic, in 2020, developed low-cost ventilator prototypes with the advice of MIT. Faruqi has become a figure of global recognition: in 2020 she was chosen as a representative by UNICEF and also collaborates with UN Women. She was also chosen in the list of the 100 women of the BBC. She has defended the right of Afghan girls to education.

3. Ayisha Siddhiqa

She is a Pakistani human rights and environmental advocate. She is the co-creator of the Fossil Free University and Polluters Out, which aims to educate climate activists. She herself does not define herself as a climate activist, since she points out that her work goes beyond working for climate action. She has defended before the United Nations the need for greater inclusion and decision-making capacity for people from the global south. In addition, she works for the rights of rural communities in Pakistan.

4. Hajer Sharief

She is a peace and human rights activist from Libya. She has promoted the participation of women and youth in peacebuilding efforts in her country. She was selected by the Secretary General of the United Nations to be part of the Advisory Group of Experts for the Study of Progress on Youth, Peace and Security. "The biggest challenge for women and girls in Libya is the absence of personal security, which means that they cannot access education, work and, in general, a normal life," she told UN Women.

5. Chaimaa Boukharsa

She is a decolonial and feminist activist, with studies in Arabic and Islamic philology and cultural diversity. Boukharsa is also coordinator of the Afrocolectiva media outlet. It organizes various debates, podcasts, workshops and training on racism, migration, discrimination and feminism.

6. Masih Alinejad

She is an Iranian activist and journalist. Currently, she lives in exile in the United States, from where she has dedicated herself to accusing the Iranian government of systematic human rights violations, which has cost her the threat of being threatened. In Iran, she was an activist from a very young age, which cost her arrests. She has won various journalism and human rights awards. Currently, she is one of the most active women on social networks, from which she disseminates videos and information about what is happening in Iran with the protests.

7. Fatima Aatar

She is a Muslim feminist, political activist and anthropologist, the daughter of Moroccan parents. In an interview for the newspaper 21, she pointed out that: “Islamic feminism is situated within a specific context. We try to discredit all gender oppressions that are justified based on the Koran. It is a struggle within the Islamic community and with the Islamic language.”