About the Organisation
Our Mission
We help women confidently navigate the challenges and struggles of being a Muslim in the West in the 21st Century
We seek to prepare one of the best generations to come by providing authentic guidance and building resilience in Muslim women through transformational educational programs and unforgettable experiences.
The Prophet (saw) said: “The parable of my nation is like the rain, I do not know whether the first of it is better or the last of it.”
[Sunan al-Tirmidhī 2869, Sahih according to Albani]
Our Vision
A World Where Every Woman Holds Confidently to the Rope of Allah
“Whoever fully submits themselves to Allah and is a good-doer, they have certainly grasped the firmest hand-hold. And with Allah rests the outcome of all affairs.” (Qur’an 31:22)
“And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided. And remember the favour of Allāh upon you - when you were enemies and He brought your hearts together and you became, by His favour, brethren.” (Qur’an 3:103)
Our Focus
Women are half of humanity and they raise the other half, they are therefore the fastest route to our revival.
We have 4 areas of focus, to help us fulfil our mission:
1. Providing essential knowledge and guidance on the issues that concern Muslim women.
2. Creating a safe and welcoming environment of sisterhood where women will feel part of something bigger.
3. Developing resilience in Muslim women, to prepare them to face the inevitable challenges of life.
4. Building strong Iman (Conviction) and Tawakkul (Reliance upon Allah), to inspire and mentor women to live lives centred upon Allah.
Our Values
Ihsaan
(Excellence)
Love and Genuine Care
Optimism
Continuous Self-improvement
Striving for the Greater Good
Our Shura and Team
Sheikha Fatima Barkatulla
Director
Fatima Barkatulla is Director of Muslim Womanhood International, a British Islamic scholar (’Alimiyyah graduate), author and presenter of the IlmFeed Podcast. An Aziz Foundation Scholar, having completed an MA in Islamic Law at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London.
She has had a rich Islamic education from an early age thanks to her parents. She studied Arabic and Islamic studies in Egypt at prominent institutes such as Al Fajr Center, Qortoba Institute and a college of Al Azhar University. She graduated from the AlSalam Institute’s Advanced Licence in Islamic Scholarship and from the The Alimiyyah Programme at the Ebrahim College seminary with a specialisation in Fiqh. She is currently working on two books ‘Women in the Qur’an’ and ‘Aisha, Scholar of Islam’, having authored her groundbreaking first book: ‘Khadijah, Mother of History’s Greatest Nation.’
She has been a key contributor to the discourse surrounding Muslim women in the West, contributing to the Westminster Faith Debates, documentaries and live shows for BBC Radio 4, the World Service, as well as BBC television, Channel 4 and Islam Channel.
She was Director of SEEDS OF CHANGE - the largest Muslim women's conference in Europe and a Dawah trainer for iERA.
In 2014 she was awarded the IKON UKHWAH International Award - for young women in dawah and community service at a ceremony in KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA.
At present our team is a small group of highly experienced sisters who have worked in some of the top Da’wah organisations in the UK for a number of years, on a number of key projects. We have felt for a long time now that an organisation for women is very much needed and are working diligently on an effective strategy for the organisation and its areas of focus.