Over the past few decades, Muslim women have been making significant strides in various fields, including entrepreneurship, technology, politics, and leadership.
Despite facing numerous societal and cultural barriers, these women have persevered and risen to the top of their respective fields. Today, Muslim women have taken over the globe through startups, entrepreneurship, leadership roles, and more.
In this article, by highlighting the achievements of these women, we hope to inspire others and bring attention to the important contributions they are making to the global community.
5 Muslim Women to Watch in 2023
Without further ado, here are 5 amazing Muslim women trailblazers who are making a difference in this world and other women around them:
1. Nora Attal – Fashion
PC: Vogue Arabia
At the mere age of 14, Nora Attal, a British-Moroccan model, was discovered by Jamie Hawkesworth, a well-known British fashion and documentary photographer.
He spotted her at school while casting for a JW Anderson ad. Since then, Attal’s modelling career has taken off, with runway appearances for iconic designer brands such as Chanel, Valentino, Dior, Versace, Alexander McQueen, and Fendi.
This year, Attal has walked the runway for various fashion houses, including Stella McCartney, Lanvin, Victoria Beckham, and Paco Rabanne.
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In January 2019, Attal was ranked among the top 50 models in the fashion industry, a well-deserved recognition for her hard work and dedication. Prior to her modelling career, Attal had aspirations to study criminology, but her passion for modelling proved to be stronger.
While many parents envision their children pursuing careers in medicine, law, or engineering, Attal’s parents had similar aspirations for her. However, Attal’s success is proof that young Muslim women can pursue their passions and achieve success in any field they choose.
2. Nemasis – Music
PC: Music Musings & Such
Nemah Hasan, better known by her TikTok username Nemahsis, is a multi-talented artist who wears many hats – she’s a TikToker, fashion model, singer, and songwriter.
Born in Palestine and raised in Toronto, Canada, Nemahsis joined TikTok in 2020, at the start of the pandemic, to share her story of facing discrimination as a Muslim woman who wears a hijab.
Since then, she has amassed a following of over 400,000 fans on social media platforms, where she showcases her fashion and beauty style to her fans.
Apart from being a fashion and beauty influencer, Nemahsis is also a gifted singer and songwriter. In 2021, she released her debut single titled “What If I Took It Off for You,” which tells the story of her experience with a global makeup brand campaign that offered her nothing but exposure for her community.
Her subsequent releases feature stories of her struggles as a Muslim woman, coming to terms with her identity and physical appearance. Her music has garnered her attention and acclaim, with her songs featured on Muslim Girl’s Spotify global playlist takeover.
Proud of her heritage, Nemahsis infuses her art with her culture and can often be seen using her social media platforms to support political and social movements.
3. Hafsa Khan – Art
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Hafsa Khan is a Pakistani-American artist, hailing from Karachi and currently residing in Ohio. She describes herself as a “Scorpio, coffee enthusiast, independent watercolourist, and a die-hard Drake fan from the Midwest.”
Khan’s artistic repertoire includes everything from Arabic calligraphy to hip-hop icons. More recently, she has ventured into celebrating South Asian beauty through her pop art.
Having been an artist for around 15 years, Khan has also been an activist for seven. Despite earning degrees in International Relations and Arabic language, Khan’s passion for drawing and her South Asian heritage led her down a new path.
She continues to create her remarkable artwork, while also enjoying the joyous chapter of marriage that she has recently embarked upon.
4. Azeeza Khan – Fashion Designer
PC: Chicago Magazine
At the young age of 31, Azeeza Khan has already made quite a name for herself. She has launched her own women’s wear label, Azeeza US , dressed some of the biggest names in Hollywood like Sarah Jessica Parker, and even opened a shop on the prestigious 900 North Michigan Avenue.
Her upcoming venture, Azeeza Domaine, is set to unveil a housewares collection that includes beautiful pillows and stylish coasters this fall. Khan’s unique style is evident in her West Loop loft which reflects a timeless aesthetic with a bold and edgy twist.
Despite juggling a successful career with the roles of mother and wife, Khan is an inspiring figure. Her passion for designer clothing has fueled her business and helped her achieve remarkable success. Her brand boasts a rare combination of luxury and accessibility, with sizes catering to a wider range of customers than most designer brands.
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5. Pokimane – Influencer
PC: Engadget
Meet Imane Anys, better known as Pokimane, a popular Twitch streamer and YouTuber with a staggering 6 million followers on YouTube. Pokimane is well-known for her video game content on YouTube and live streams on Twitch.
She has a massive following, making her the most followed female streamer and earning her a spot in the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for 2021.
Imane was born in Morocco and later moved to Canada with her family when she was only four years old. Initially, she started studying chemical engineering at McMaster University, but eventually dropped out to pursue a full-time career in streaming.