Celebrating #MuslimWomensDay
On #MuslimWomensDay, we highlight a cross section of inspirational women from across the Arab world, as featured in the 10th anniversary issue of Harper’s Bazaar Arabia. Read about these women (and more) in the March issue
Founder of al-Qarawiyyin in Morocco in 859, the world’s oldest continually-operating university.
Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi
Image: Getty
The UAE’s first woman to hold a ministerial post in the UAE, Sheikha Lubna now promotes coexistence and respect as the Minister of Tolerance.
Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa
Photography: Loredana Mantello
The President of the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities, Shaikha Mai dedicates her life to preserving Bahraini culture.
Amna Al Habtoor
Photography: Ethan Mann
Amna, the daughter of Sultan Al Habtoor, president of Habtoor Motors, debuts Arcadia – a line of luxury perfumes inspired by her Emirati heritage.
Photography: Jovana Obradovic
The Saudi Arabian designer reveals her homage to Middle Eastern needlework that manifests in her S/S17 collection, her largest to date.
Photography: Brigitte Lacombe
The late Iraqi architect produced work in the UAE and abroad that left an indelible mark on the design landscape forever.
Photography: Ethan Mann
At just 27-years-old, the CrossFit coach founded #TheADMovement, an online community that organises physical events for women.
Photography: Ethan Mann
The Emirati entrepreneur co-founded the Ana Gow Running Club with a community of like-minded women.
Sara Ahmed
The first woman from an Arab country to win an Olympic medal in weightlifting, Sara didn’t let her dresscode hold her back and competed in a long-sleeved top and sports hijab.
Photography: Ethan Mann
The first female trainer in Kuwait with a CrossFit Level-1 certification to coach classes, Haya won first place in the 2015 Battle of the East.
Walking in Kanye West’s Yeezy show in New York, and Max Mara and Alberta Ferretti’s shows in Milan, the Somali-American model provides a modern and modest face within fashion.