It’s still the woman’s month, yeah, and coupled with Ramadan; you should add this to your knowledge box.
There are countless inspiring women around the world, but let’s take a look at three inspiring muslim women; number three would really “over-inspire” you.
AMINA JANE MOHAMMED
62 year old British Nigerian diplomat and politician, mother of six and grandmother of four- Amina Jane Mohammed is the fifth deputy Secretary General of the United Nations and Chair of the United Nations Sustainable Development group.
Amina Mohammed joined the United Nations in 2012 as a special adviser to the former secretary general Ban Ki- moon. She led the proceedings that resulted in global agreement around the 2039 agenda for Sustainable Development and the creation of the Sustainable Development Goals.
She served as the Minister of Environment of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and she was actively involved in steering the country’s effort to protect the natural environment.
Amina Mohammed began her career with working on design of schools and clinics in Nigeria. She served as an advocate on increasing access to education and other social services. She served as an adviser to four successive presidents of Nigeria on poverty, public sector reform and sustainable development.
Amongst many other accolades to Ms. Mohammed’s name, she has been conferred several honorary doctorates, served as an adjunct professor- lecturing on international development, recipient of various global awards- just to mention a few.
This is inspiring right?
HAJARA ADEOLA
Meet Mrs. Hajara Adeola, the wife of Tajudeen Afolabi Adeola, the co-owner of one of the most successful financial institutions in Nigeria, Guarantee Trust Company (GTCO), formerly know as GTBank.
She is the Founder and Chairperson of Lotus Bank Limited. Lotus Capital Limited is a Nigerian pioneer in Islamic asset management, private wealth management, and financial advisory services.
Hajara Adeola, B.Sc. holder in Pharmacology from King’s College, London, was the director, CCT Islamic Finance at UBS Warburg heading their London Islamic Finance Desk. She was also the Convertible Bond Research Analyst at BNP Paribas, London.
She holds an M.Sc. in Finance from Durham University where she specialized in Islamic Finance and an MBA in International Management from Exeter University, UK.
Yeah, that’s a lot, but that’s not all. Mrs. Adeola was the first President of the Fund Manager’s Association of Nigeria and is a West African Fellow of the Aspen Leadership Initiative. She is a seasoned professional with 25 years of international experience in research & analysis, investment management, corporate finance and Islamic finance.
Now if that’s not totally inspiring, check out the next woman on the list.
HALIMA ADEN
Who says you can’t be a model as a muslim and still be modest?
Halima says you can!
Born 19th September, 1997, Halima Aden was born in a refugee camp in Kenya. She moved to Minnesota, USA at age 7 and competed in the Miss Minnesota USA pageant as the first Somali- American. She made it to the finals, but that didn’t define her success.
Her participation in the contest caught the attention of international media, and in 2017 she was signed to IMG Models and made her catwalk debut during New York Fashion Week.
She is the first model to grace the covers of Vogue Arabia and Allure Magazine wearing a hijab and was tapped by teen outfitter American Eagle to introduce their denim hijab, starring in their Summer 2017 campaign wearing the piece. In 2018, she starred in covers for British Vogue and Teen Vogue.
Halima Aden was also the first contestant in the pageant to wear a hijab throughout the competition and the first to forgo skimpy swimwear in favour of a burkini during the contest’s swimsuit round.
so, there’s no limit to how far you can go. Ramadan Kareem.