The Forgotten Legacy of Muslim Civilisation

1001 Women is the world’s first global initiative to restore awareness of the overlooked contributions of more than 300 women from Muslim civilisation to science, medicine, learning, arts, leadership and public life.

Join us and take part in bringing their stories into mainstream public awareness through educational campaigns, books, exhibitions and digital media.

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An initiative of1001 Foundation
The producer of1001 Inventions
Produced and led byAhmed Salim
Take part

TAKE PART

Join the 1001 Women movement and help bring overlooked women of Muslim civilisation into homes, schools, museums, festivals, online platforms and public memory.

Why this matters

For too long, the role of women pioneers has been missing from the mainstream story.

Many people can name a handful of famous women from Muslim history. Far fewer can answer the bigger question: what was the role of women pioneers in Muslim civilisation?

The answer is scattered across manuscripts, specialist research, footnotes and historical works. 1001 Women exists to bring that answer into public life — clearly, beautifully and responsibly.

The 1001 Women initiative aims to answer that question for good: women were scholars, healers, scientists, teachers, artists, scribes, patrons, leaders, businesswomen, public servants and builders of institutions.

By bringing these stories into books, exhibitions, classrooms and online platforms, 1001 Women helps children and adults rediscover role models with names, places, stories and evidence.

The Legacy

Restoring the Legacy of more than 300 Women

These 1001 Women examples show the breadth of the research and the range of stories that can become book spreads, exhibition moments, lessons, short videos and public talks.

Illustrated scene for ‘Aishah bint al-Jayyar
Medicine

‘Aishah bint al-Jayyar

A physician of northern Morocco known for her knowledge of medicines and treatments.

Illustrated scene for Fatimah al-Fihriyyah
Education

Fatimah al-Fihriyyah

A philanthropist remembered for her role in establishing a major centre of learning in Fez.

Illustrated scene for Walladah bint al-Mustakfi
Literature

Walladah bint al-Mustakfi

A poet-princess of Córdoba remembered for poetry and literary gatherings.

Illustrated scene for Fatimah al-Samarqandiyyah
Jurisprudence

Fatimah al-Samarqandiyyah

A jurist and legal authority whose judgement was sought by scholars and rulers.

Astronomy

Maryam al-‘Ijliyyah

An astrolabe maker connected to the scientific culture of medieval Aleppo.

Mathematics

Lubna of Córdoba

A mathematician, secretary and scholar associated with the intellectual world of Al-Andalus.

Public life

Al-Shifa’ bint ‘Abdillah

A healer, teacher and early figure in public administration in Medina.

Education

Fatimah al-Fihriyyah

A philanthropist remembered for her role in establishing a major centre of learning in Fez.

Scholarship

Shuhdah bint al-Ibari

A scholar and calligrapher whose teaching connected generations of students.

Public works

Zubaydah bint Ja‘far

A patron remembered for major public works and philanthropy.

Mathematics

Sutaytah al-Mahamali

A Baghdadi jurist remembered for her knowledge of mathematics and inheritance calculations.

Astronomy

Bijeh al-Kermaniyyah

A learned woman of Kerman associated with astronomy, mathematics and poetry.

Medicine

Umm al-Hasan bint Abi Ja‘far

A physician, poet and Qur’an reciter from the region of Granada.

Medicine

Zaynab of Banu Awd

A physician remembered for treating wounds and eye conditions.

Nursing

Nusaybah bint al-Harith

A companion remembered for caring for the sick and wounded during early Muslim expeditions.

Midwifery

Umm Asiyah

A skilled midwife who served the Tulunid royal household in Egypt.

Jurisprudence

Fatimah al-Samarqandiyyah

A jurist and legal authority whose judgement was sought by scholars and rulers.

Scholarship

Karimah al-Marwaziyyah

A renowned Hadith scholar in Makkah whose students travelled from far away to study with her.

Scholarship

Nafisah bint al-Hasan

A respected scholar and philanthropist whose learning attracted leading figures of her time.

Jurisprudence

Khadijah bint Sahnun

A jurist and mufti of Qayrawan whose legal opinions were widely sought.

Scholarship

Zaynab bint al-Kamal

A major Hadith scholar in Damascus who taught generations of prominent students.

Literature

Walladah bint al-Mustakfi

A poet-princess of Córdoba remembered for poetry and literary gatherings.

Poetry

Al-Khansa’

One of the most celebrated poets of early Arabic literature.

Leadership

Arwa bint Ahmad al-Sulayhiyyah

A ruler of Yemen remembered for political leadership and public patronage.

Leadership

Shajarat al-Durr

A major political figure who ruled Egypt during a pivotal period.

Calligraphy

Fatimah bint al-Aqra’

A distinguished Baghdadi calligrapher trusted to write important diplomatic correspondence.

Leadership

Padishah Khatun

A ruler of Kerman who was also associated with poetry and calligraphy.

Literature

‘Aishah al-Ba‘uniyyah

A scholar, author and poet whose works explored spirituality, knowledge and devotion.

Medicine

‘Aishah bint al-Jayyar

A physician of northern Morocco known for her knowledge of medicines and treatments.

Scholarship

Umm al-Darda’ al-Sughra

A respected jurist, teacher and Hadith scholar associated with Damascus and Jerusalem.

Full illustrated portraits and longer profiles — coming soon.

Based on research, not myths

Behind the public movement is a major research project. Each story must be checked carefully before it becomes a book spread, exhibition panel, lesson or social post.

  • Inspire children without inventing stories.
  • Give creators clear facts and safe wording.
  • Protect the credibility of the movement.
Who are we

From the producer of 1001 Inventions

1001 Women is an initiative of 1001 Foundation, the producer of 1001 Inventions. 1001 Women builds on experience in transforming the history and heritage of Muslim civilisation into books, exhibitions, films, educational programmes and live public experiences.

The 1001 Women initiative is produced and led by Ahmed Salim, bringing together research, storytelling, education, design and public engagement to carry these overlooked stories into mainstream public life.

The historical content is grounded in the 1001 Women research and sourcebook developed by the Foundation for Science, Technology and Civilisation (FSTC).

1001 Foundation

The producer of 1001 Inventions and the organisation developing the wider movement, exhibition and public resources.

1001 Inventions

The global books, exhibitions and educational programmes that 1001 Women builds on.