Scholar Spotlight: Hamza Yusuf

In the first of this series of profiles on the world’s most influential Muslim scholars, Omar Shahid digs beneath the surface to discover the man beneath the title of sheikh. All images from Hamza Yusuf and Zaytuna College Facebook page. Sheikh Hamza Yusuf is what you might call a celebrity scholar. After giving a talk, he is often besieged by eager … Read more

Scholar spotlight: Dr Zainab Alwani, reclaiming gender equality in Islamic scholarship

This prominent American scholar, academic and activist often finds herself to be the only Muslim female scholar on stage at conferences. She spoke to Omar Shahid. The idea that Islam oppresses women has been allowed to flourish right across the world. Islamophobes, right-wing commentators and neo-conservatives will use it as a platform to launch scathing attacks … Read more

Samina Ali: A woman’s warrior

We’re frequently delivered the same old Muslim women’s trope – the placid housewife, or the shackled bint who doesn’t know any better. But there aren’t many who challenge stereotypes as strongly as writer Samina Ali. She speaks to Amal Awad about Muslim feminism and her journey into it. Perhaps more extraordinary than Samina Ali’s activism is the … Read more

Hana Tajima: Creative to the brim

Best known as the designer behind former fashion label Maysaa, her evolving creative career is an extension of her former pursuits as a kid raised by two artist-parents. She spoke to Meaghan Brittini. She spent her childhood typing out her own newspapers and magazines on typewriters, playing with fabrics, and intently watching her parents create. “Most … Read more

Female Leadership and Diversity – Interview with Dr Ingrid Mattson

Women and men must accept differences and work together. Sya Taha asks Dr Ingrid Mattson for her ideas. Professor Dr Ingrid Mattson presently serves as Chair of the Islamic Studies Program at the Huron University College of The University of Western Ontario. She was previously the Director of the Macdonald Centre for Islamic Studies and Christian-Muslim Relations … Read more