The Muslim world has a history of female scientists but they have been overlooked in the past. There are many reasons for this, including cultural and religious barriers, but it is time to start highlighting their achievements.
A recent study found that Muslim women are the least likely to enter STEM fields, and this has led to a lot of speculation about the reasons for this disparity. Some say that it is because girls are not encouraged enough to pursue these subjects from an early age, while others claim that there is a lack of role models for girls who want to pursue these careers.
In this article, we will explore how Muslim women have been able to contribute to science and technology throughout history. Or basically, the good, the bad and the ugly for Muslim women in Tech.
The History of Muslim Women in Technology and Science
The history of Muslim women in science and technology is a long one.
It starts with the first woman scientist, Hypatia, who was born in Alexandria. She was a mathematician, philosopher and astronomer. She made significant contributions to the development of astronomy as an empirical science by explaining how the Earth revolved around the Sun.
Despite her achievements, she was killed by a Christian mob in 415 AD for refusing to renounce her pagan beliefs. This was not an isolated incident; there are many other stories of Muslim women being killed or denounced for their scientific discoveries.
For example, Fatima Al-Fihri founded the world’s oldest university – Al-Qarawiyyin University – in 859 AD. It was the world’s first university with a full curriculum, including courses on mathematics and astronomy. She became its first female professor but she retired only two years later because she couldn’t find a male professor to replace her.
However, there are bright stories, as well, such as Zakia Salim, a Bangladeshi physicist who was awarded with a gold medal by UNESCO for her work on solar energy. .”The work I do is passionate, and it’s not just about science. It’s about people, it’s about helping people,” Zakia told CNN.
Other notable Muslim Women in tech history are:
- Beyza Unal was a Turkish physicist who did research in the field of quantum theory founders and atomic structure
- Rusha Jabowen was an Indonesian-born scientist who made contributions to the field of electrophysiology
- Khadija bint Khuwaylid was a businesswoman who became one of Muhammad’s first wives and later became a successful entrepreneur
- Maryam Jafar was born in Iran to an Iranian father and an English mother. She is considered to be one of the most important female scientists of all time.
- Nariman El-Mofty, an Egyptian scientist who is a Professor of Electrical Engineering at Brown University
- Zakia Adoum, a physicist who she became the first woman engineer in her country and the first woman to be elected as a member of Parliament.
Challenges for Muslim Women in Tech and Science
Muslim women in the world of science and technology face a number of challenges. These challenges can be divided into two categories: external and internal.
External challenges are those that come from outside the individual, such as stereotypes, discrimination, and lack of role models.
Internal challenges are those that stem from within the individual such as self-doubt, lack of confidence, and fear of failure.
The external obstacles Muslim women face in science and technology are not insurmountable. There are several ways to combat them by :
- Educating girls about their options in STEM fields at an early age
- Encouraging them to pursue careers in STEM fields when they grow up
- Providing support for female scientists through mentorship programs or other initiatives at work places
- Showcasing accomplished Muslim women scientists on TV or social media to inspire younger generations to pursue STEM careers
- Providing more education about Islam and the culture of science to Muslim communities
The internal obstacles Muslim women face in science and technology stem from a number of sources. These include the self-doubt that young girls develop when they are told, often by their family, that they should be focused on their roles as wives and mothers instead of pursuing careers in STEM fields, and the fear of not being employable after a career-related injury.”When they do get those jobs and they go back to school, they learn differently,” says Barmakian. “They’re not prepared for that different type of education.”
Opportunities in Science and Technology for Muslim Women
In the past few decades, there has been a significant increase in the number of women entering science and technology fields. Muslim women are also joining the workforce and becoming scientists. There are many opportunities for Muslim female scientists to make their mark on the world.
When we talk about Muslim women in technology, we are talking about women who use their skills to solve problems for society with the help of technology.
The Muslim female scientists that we do know about are pioneers in their fields and they have broken barriers for other Muslim women to follow in their footsteps. It is also important to note that there is a lack of representation from the perspective of Muslim women themselves. There is not enough data or research on what Muslim women want and need.
These females have become a major force in the science and tech industries. They are not just working as engineers and scientists, but also in other roles like entrepreneurs.
Some Muslim women are CEOs of their own startups, while others work as engineers and developers at major companies like Google and Microsoft.
There are also many Muslim female scientists who have made significant contributions to the fields of medicine, chemistry, genetics, physics, mathematics and more.
A new generation is making its mark on the world of STEM with many finding success in areas such as advertising, journalism, teaching and research.
