Women's History Month for a Muslim

Rosalind Franklin, Mary Cassatt, Florence Nightingale, Maya Angelou, Serena Williams, Marie Curie, these are a few names out of the countless great women whose influence spans across all fields. Women's History Month is upon us, and it is a time set aside to consciously recount not only the triumphs of women, but the triumphs of society who benefited from their contributions.

As a Muslim woman I certainly rejoice over Women's History Month; however, this month takes on an extra layer of meaning for me. It is a month that reminds me how fortunate I am to be a Muslim woman.

This month dedicated to women began to emerge in 1911. That is a mere century of such celebration, but as a Muslim woman, my role in society received prestige with the advent of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), back in the 7th century. The Holy Prophet brought us a religion that championed women long before modern society caught on.

In pre-Islamic Arabia, the conditions for women were deplorable. They were not seen as equal to men and had no voice. The teachings of Islam radically changed all of that. Women gained the rights and respect that had only been allotted to men. Now we could inherit and own property, work, receive an education, choose our own husband, and have the right to divorce. These are only a few of the rights we received.

So yes, Women's History Month is a very special time for me, but more than anything, it is a time that reminds me of how blessed I am to be a Muslim woman.

Sadiqa Ahmad

Bolingbrook