These Are Just A Few of the Muslim Women Breaking Boundaries on the World Stage

Breaking Boundaries In: International Human Rights & Education

Dedicated, determined, and an inspiration to us all. Malala Yousafzai's mission of securing women the right to an education, has by no means been an easy one. At the age of 15, she nearly lost her life after being targeted by the Taliban, a Sunni Islamist organization operating primarily in Afghanistan and Pakistan. In 2014, two years after the attack, which resulted in months of rehabilitation and numerous surgeries, Yousafzai and her family relocated to the UK, where she would make it her life's mission to ensure that girls of all ethnicities, religions, and race are granted the right to an education that is free of charge, safe, and of quality. In December of that year, her charity organization the Malala Fund, which was co-founded by her father Ziauddin, earned her a Nobel Peace Prize, making her the youngest-ever Nobel laureate. Today, she can be found leading international seminars and talks, as well as travelling the world to give girls fighting poverty, wars, child marriages, and gender discrimination a voice and the chance to go to school. "Quality education for girls is not just learning books, passing exams and getting jobs. It is empowerment, freedom and nourishment. It is independence, giving them the ability to stand on their own two feet, making them resilient," Yousafzai said of her mission during the Building the Resilience of Women and Girls in the Arab Region conference, which took place in Sharjah, UAE in Oct. 2016.

Breaking Boundaries In: The Sports Industry

During her mission to be the first female figure skater to represent the United Arab Emirates at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, Zahra Lari has broken boundaries and stereotypes left, right, and center. At 22, she lent her face and skills to both design and front Nike Pro's first hijab. At 15, she landed her first international competition and now at 24, she is a four-time national skating champion. "Zahra tells students that if you're a female or you're Muslim, there's nothing that should keep you from being a success in whatever you dream of," says her mom and manger, Roquiya of her success.

Breaking Boundaries In: The Fashion Industry

Halima Aden's big break came in 2016, when she became the first woman to compete in a Miss USA state pageant wearing a hijab and burkini. Immediately after placing in the Top 15, Aden made it known that she wanted to use her newfound visibility to attempt to break down some of the stereotypes surrounding hijab-wearing women. Speaking to Today at the time, she said: "Most images of Muslim woman are attached to victimhood ... I never see positive representation, the way I see other women being celebrated." With an Instagram following of over half a million, countless women and source of inspiration, and having the graced the covers and runaways for some of the biggest names in fashion, it's safe to say that the Kenyan-born, Somali-American model has managed to do just that and, more.

Breaking Boundaries In: The Sports Industry

A vision and true warrior. Raha Moharrak first appeared on our radar in 2013. More specifically on 18 May 2013, when she became the first and youngest Saudi woman to climb Mount Everest. A mission, which she states was never a decision but a calling, and one that has gone on to land her mass international following, inspired millions of young women worldwide, and secured her an ambassador role for luxury watch brand, TAG Heuer.

Breaking Boundaries In: The Sports Industry

A swinging Success. Stepping into the fencing piste at the 2016 Rio Olympics, Ibtihaj Muhammad made history for being the first American athlete to compete in the games wearing a hijab. One year later, she made history yet again for being the inspiration behind Mattel's first hijab-wearing Barbie. Her advice for the next generation of sports stars? "Never allow anyone to dictate your journey". A message she lives by. During an interview with Vogue Arabia just before her Olympic performance, the now 33-year-old stated: "People told me that my goals weren't attainable for whatever reason – especially when I was trying to achieve a feat that has never been done before – and that was discouraging." We are beyond grateful of her resilience and determination. PS. Her Barbie doll sits proudly on our office desk.

Breaking Boundaries In: The Music Industry

Born Yunalis Mat Zara'ai but thanks her award-winning album Chapters, the Malaysian born, American-based singing sensation is now known by millions as Yuna. Aside from racking up critical acclaim for her vocal skills, which includes receiving The Malaysia Books of Record award for Most Successful Malaysian Singer as well as securing a spot on Rolling Stone magazine's Top 20 Best R&B Albums Of 2016, Yuna has tried her hand at fashion. Her clothing store @novemberculture received rave reviews before her decision to close up shop in May of last year. A choice fueled by her desire to focus on her music and her plant and terrarium store, Tiny Forest, which is based in Subang Jaya, Malaysia.