5 Most Influential Arab Women

Arab women have been put down by the male-controlled governments for a long time, but there are some brave women who dare to fight in any way possible against oppression, sexism, lack of education, poverty among others. Here are five of the most influential Arab women.

Shaikha Lubna Al Qasimi

Shaikha Lubna Al Qasimi, first ever female Minister in the UAE, is the first Emirati woman to receive the Clinton Global Citizen Award. Al Qasimi has settled the cargo system at Dubai airport and as a result, she ranked 55 on Forbes magazine’s women’s power list.

Mona Eltahawy

Mona Eltahawy is an Egyptian journalist who was detained and assaulted in 2011 at Egypt's Interior Ministry for more than 12 hours during the Tahrir Square protests. The feminist called for a reform in Arab countries and was featured in The Guardian and The Washington Post.

Zainab Salbi

Zainab Salbi is an Iraqi activist, author, social entrepreneur, and founder of the Women for Women International. Her goal is to give a voice to Arab and Muslim women.

Queen Rania

Queen Rania of Jordan is known for her concern for public health as well as education. This influential woman became a powerful leader who has developed education, public health, nand the tourism industry in Jordan.

Amal Alamuddin

Amal Alamuddin was named the most influential female based in London because of her remarkable work as a human rights advocate and a successful lawyer. Her job as a lawyer includes advocating on behalf of neglected and exploited groups, and that’s what she did by founding, with the help of her husband George Clooney, the Clooney Foundation for Justice for thousands of Syrian refugees and Lebanese children.