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From poets to politicians.
Bundled into the term "marginalized" is the message that people who belong to those groups don't have their voices heard nearly enough. In American society following the Trump era, there are few groups more marginalized than Muslim women — so there’s no time like the present to elevate their voices. Here are seven quotes from Muslim women to inspire you today, in honor of Muslim Women's Day.
This is a very diverse group of individuals, representing numerous countries, cultures, and periods of history. They have their religion in common, but as you'll see, that is hardly their single defining characteristic. They come from all sorts of backgrounds and work in a wide range of different industries. And as you can see, they're capable of inspiring you in all sorts of directions.
If you are a Muslim woman reading this, then use today to exercise your own unique, inspiring voice. If you're not, take some time to educate yourself. Read something written by a Muslim woman, or learn about the multitude of ways that Muslim women have added to society. Elevating and appreciating marginalized groups is the best way to fix the problem of marginalization, so this work is necessary now more than ever.
1
Rab'ia al-Adawiyya
Rab'ia al-Adawiyya was a poet and a saint, so it's no surprise that her work is full of the sort of quotes that can still be meaningful, even a millennium after she wrote them down. This one is only scratching the surface:
Your life is the only opportunity that life can give you. If you ignore it, if you waste it, you will only turn to dust.
2
Shirin Ebadi
Shirin Ebadi is an important voice for women everywhere, and her life is a textbook example of how people can reach great heights against all obstacles. Once a Chief Justice in Iran, the 1979 Revolution took her out of that position. Instead of backing down, she continued fighting for equality and human rights and eventually won a Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts in 2003. Did I mention that she was the first Muslim woman to do that? Her quote is one that the world would be better off for remembering.
I maintain that nothing useful and lasting can emerge from violence.
3
Daisy Khan
Daisy Khan, an Indian immigrant to New York City, has become a faith leader in the local community and spokesperson for Islam across the country. She has a lot to say about how her faith drives her and what it's motivated her to accomplish in her life, but she's also said a lot of things that can be applicable just as general life lessons.
As long as you are responsible for building a healthy community, then that’s what gives you motivation and hope, and prevents you from losing hope.
4
Anousheh Ansari
Anousheh Ansari made the news for accepting the Best Foreign Film Oscar this year on behalf of Iranian director Asghar Farhadi, who declined to come to the ceremony in protest of Trump's travel ban. Before that, however, Ansari was already a household name in some circles because she was the first female space tourist and the first Muslim woman in space. And as it turns out, that experience was a pretty meaningful one.
If people can see Earth from up here, they see it without those borders, see it without any differences in race or religion, they would have a completely different perspective. Because when you see it from that angle, you cannot think of your home or your country. All you can see is one Earth ...
5
Ilhan Omar
For any immigrant feeling left out in Trump's America, Ilhan Omar is a person you can relate to. The first Somali-American legislator in the country, Omar's life is definitive proof success is always possible and that refugees are an asset for the country they come to instead of a burden. The quote below is from an interview that she did with People.
My election win offers a counter-narrative to the bigotry in the world. This is a land of immigrants, and most come here for opportunity, a second chance. It’s our time to fight for the America we know we can have.
6
Linda Sarsour
Linda Sarsour is one of the Women's March organizers, and one of the great side effects of the movement is that now she has a platform where people can actually hear her brilliant voice. She's shaping herself into one of the political voices of her generation and she spelled out her brand of feminism in an op-ed for Women's Media Center, and this is just one detail of it:
Women are intersectional human beings who live multi-issued lives. When we are protected, when we are respected, when we are able to thrive and given the same opportunities as our male counterparts, when we are given space to lead and rise — our nation will rise.
7
Warshan Shire
Warshan Shire, a Somali-British poet who stole at least part of the show on Beyoncé's Lemonade, is responsible for the quote below She's everything — female, feminist, Muslim, creative, pro-refugee. She was a Young Poet Laureate for London at age 25. Start getting to know her now.
“Give your daughters difficult names. Give your daughters names that command the full use of tongue. My name makes you want to tell me the truth. My name doesn’t allow me to trust anyone that cannot pronounce it right.”
Feeling inspired yet? I definitely am — and that's only seven quotes in. This is the beauty of Muslim Women's Day — it brings voices to the table of women who you definitely should have heard of before, and everyone's better off for it.
