Muslim Women Are Everything: Stereotype-Shattering Stories of Courage, Inspiration, and Adventure

by Seema Yasmin, Fahmida Azim

Winner of the 2020 Best Book Awards in Women’s Issues


A full-color illustrated collection of riveting, inspiring, and stereotype-shattering stories that reveal the beauty, diversity, and strength of Muslim women both past and present.

Tired of seeing Muslim women portrayed as weak, sheltered, and limited, journalist Seema Yasmin reframes how the world sees them, to reveal everything they CAN do and the incredible, stereotype-shattering ways they are doing it.

Featuring 40 full-color illustrations by illustrator Fahmida Azim throughout, Muslim Women Are Everything is a celebration of the ways in which past and present Muslim women from around the world are singing, dancing, reading, writing, laughing, experimenting, driving, and rocking their way into the history books.

Forget subservient, oppressed damsels—say hello to women who are breaking down barriers using their art, their voices, and their activism, including:


Tesnim Sayar from Denmark, a Muslim goth-punk who wears a red tartan mohawk on top of her hijab
American superstar singer SZA
Nura Afia, CoverGirl’s first hijabi ambassador
Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, America’s first Muslim congresswomen
Ilyana Insyirah, a hijaab-wearing scuba-diving midwife from Australia
Showcasing women who defy categorization, Muslim Women Are Everything proves that to be Muslim and a woman is to be many things: strong, vulnerable, trans, disabled, funny, entrepreneurial, burqa or bikini clad, and so much more.

Genres: Nonfiction, Feminism, Audiobook, Islam, Essays, Biography, Religion

192 pages, Hardcover

First published April 28, 2020

About the author

Muslim Women Are Everything is out as a book, ebook and an audio book now!

I'm a medical doctor, journalist and author. My first book, The Impatient Dr. Lange: One Man's Fight to end the HIV Epidemic, tells the story of my mentor who was killed when Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 was shot out of the sky. Dr. Lange dedicated his life to fighting HIV and was searching for a cure when he was killed.

My next books, Viral BS, (Johns Hopkins University Press, November 2020) is about medical myths and how health hoaxes can travel farther than accurate information.

Reviews

[Zainab Bint Younus · Rating 1 out of 5]

Terrible. Gives the impression that Muslim can only prove their worth/ enlightenment/ lack of oppression by doing "everything" even if it's haraam - e.g. ice skating in tight clothes, being a half-naked musician, etc. Lots of performative Western values stuff, no critique of the standards used to interrogate what makes Muslim women "awesome," zero discussion of Islamic values and what that means to us.

Literally just a bunch of Muslim women who do stuff in different arenas, whether or not it's good or halal or in keeping with Islamic values.

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really busts the proverbial oppressed and submissive Muslim women stereotypes. A really essential book to read. Thoroughly enjoyable and it definitely broadened my horizons and thought process. Women can do anything they put their minds to and still be true to themselves and their beliefs. Five Stars

[teresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

it was okay but i was basically just listening to a list of people. so idk

[Melody Moezzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must-have for every bookshelf! This book is a stunning and timely celebration that will fill everyone who reads it with hope, admiration, and inspiration. I can't recommend it more highly! As a Muslim woman, I'm especially grateful that this book even EXISTS. And what a gift, moreover, that it exists with such brilliant prose combined with such stunning imagery.

[Alexia · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Books are a weapon. A peaceful weapon perhaps, but they are a weapon.” - Mariama Bâ

This collection was absolutely amazing. I knew I would automatically love this book when it started with my fave SZA. There are so many great women in this book, and I was constantly googling to learn more about them. I felt so inspired by so many of their stories, and I loved how this story included Muslim women from all kinds of backgrounds and even different time periods. The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous too. I definitely see me making this a coffee table book that everyone can see, especially because it's easily formatted so that you can read a story or two at a time.

“If you say, ‘What’s your footstep? What’s your legacy?’ it is not you defining that. It is the people after you who define that for you.” - Tahani Amer

*Thank you to Books Forward and the publisher for sending me a copy. All opinions are my own*

[Caitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a good broad variety of amazing women who portray the multitude of diversity within Islam. It features sportswomen, political figures, tv reality stars, scientists...such a broad scope! I definitely fall into the category of historian (do I get to call myself that now? History degree is nearly 2/3 done lol) that features primarily on white euro-centric aspects so the historical info was amazing to read.

I'd definitely recommend.

[Catherine Pratt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very important book that I just had to read. I have many Muslim friends but they are all men or boys. Where I am from there were many many Muslim people. But the women were never part of anything that we had for the public. The reason as to why is because the women were sure to think that we would not understand the because they are so different from other women. Now that I have read the book, I understand what the women go thru at times. Just because they are different, it does not mean we can shun them or think bad of them. There are many, many , many Muslim women who can do anything in this word. No matter what, they are people too and should be loved by all. This book is the absolutely the best book I have read this year. This was one of those books that In have read within a day, it was that good and beautiful.

@booksforwardpr

#booksforwardfriends

[Israa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Get ready, Muslimahs, to be inspired! The illustrations alone are gorgeous, but the detailed narratives about the strong Muslim women featured are excellent, too. I appreciated that the book is clean and a diverse range of Muslim girls and women were selected. They come from all backgrounds, historical times, and interests in life. Sports, fashion, activism, writing, STEM, arts, etc., you name it! While there is some discussion of LGBTQ and other controversial issues, don't use this book as an excample to say "This Muslimah is bad because she did X, but this Muslimah is good because she did Y." Rather, just skim through and select the example that will appeal to you, based on your interests and goals in life. While I have some mixed feelings about this collection of biographies, I still highly recommend this book for our youth and even adult Muslims.

[Carla (literary.infatuation) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Besides the beauty of this book, how encouraging and uplifting and inspirational these stories are about Muslim women across the globe, its diversity is probably its best asset. Muslim Women Are Everything: Danish punk singers, white Latinx rock stars, Iranian mathematicians, African writers, Black songwriters in America and so much more. They are of all races, cultures and backgrounds; and Yasin managed to even find representation within the wide range of beliefs in Islam: Sunni, Shia, Ahmadi, Five Percenters, etc. It is definitely a book I’d like my little one to read and understand that she can be ANYTHING and our faith is our comfort, not a burden.

[Kate (Reading Through Infinity) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely piece of non fiction, documenting the work and achievements of Muslim women across the world, throughout history. Each chapter is about a different woman and I thoroughly enjoyed listening to their triumphs and the way they overcame adversity. Two of my particular favourites were the chapters on the Muslim biker gang and on Ilyana Insyirah, a hijaab-wearing scuba-diving midwife. The whole book was incredibly uplifting and I learned a lot about women I'd never previously come across.

[Rana Tahir · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun book that presents the multitude of ways one can live as a muslim and a woman. I resonated deeply with the introduction, in particular. I’m not one for profiles of people, but if I had a daughter, I’d definitely share this book with her.

[Zaida · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations- great people highlighted - poorly written

[Sai ☾ ⋆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book kinda just gives list. I don’t read a lot of nonfiction, so I’m not sure if that’s normal. But the narration about the lives of the women could’ve been better. That said, the illustrations were amazing. I did learn a lot about Muslim women, and I appreciated getting more details about some I already knew. Quick read.

Some things were just too ........ like, we have to gatekeep a little. Not everything needs to be framed through a Western lens.

[Danica is Booked · Rating 5 out of 5]

I prefer books that go more in depth than comprehensive overviews like this one typically.

I live also read the works of many of the women referenced in this book. But I really enjoyed this one.

More books like this are needed and it’s well done.

The author did a great job choosing a diverse group of women—geographically, ability wise, profession wise, age wise, ethnically, racially, and so on.

Glad to have read it!

[Sobia A Khan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book full of information on Muslim women around the world (mostly USA) who have broke the glass ceilings in their respective career choices. In each chapter the author gives 3-4 bios of these women, their life story and struggles they went through to get where they are today. Interspersed are terms or concepts that Muslim women are frequently confronted with (what we wear, playing 'bingo' (questions we're asked), 'Haloodies' (halal foodies) and a few others. The illustrations of each woman are colorful and vibrant.

I was surprised to see that one of the women in the 'writers' chapter is someone I know.

[Narges · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well done book profiling women who are living their lives with the common thread of being Muslim. Each women’s profile shares interesting items about the woman and the way she is rising/risen to be who she is in.
A beautiful and appreciated aspect is the diversity which the author sought out and truly captured, not just the stereotypical Middle Eastern women in hijab.
The illustrations exude pure artistic talent.

[soap · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so insanely beautiful holy shit

[bookpotato · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of thoughts while reading this, mainly what this book is not, what this is book is, and what themes arise from the stories shared.

This is NOT a book of Islamic theology, philosophy, or teaching in any way, which I think some people are mistaking this for. It's not a judgement on values and practices. It's not a guide or a "how-to" of any kind.

Instead, Yasmin delves into real stories about real contemporary Muslim women (except for one chapter about historical figures). It emphasizes how Muslim women are NOT a monolith, are dynamic and complex people. Objectively, faith looks different for different people, just like how lifestyles, spirituality, cultures, and piety varies. The point is to normalize Muslim women "doing things." This book highlights that. There are stories I resonated with on a deep level, and stories that I couldn't relate to, but nonetheless, I listened. I was especially fascinated by the historical chapter, and would read an entire separate book on these stories.


The overarching theme was to reject the positing of "look at what this woman achieved, and as a Muslim, too!" It's rejecting that women do things "despite being muslim." This is a great point, a wonderful conversation to have.

But, (I regretfully have a "but" in this review) I think there could have been more substance, more to the book philosophically speaking. It fell a little flat and read more like an essay than a polished book. Great start in terms of content, and glad these conversations are happening and being published.

Good read for those that are interested in nuanced portraits of Muslim women today!

[Megsbookclub · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was looking through my books the other day and found these three books about Women that I wanted to share with you. These books feature everyday women, women that are trailblazers, women that change the world, and women that continue to shatter glass ceilings. These books are about women that are artists, bakers, comedians, athletes, politicians and entrepreneurs. These books are about changing the stereotypes and instead sharing the beauty, diversity and strength that women bring to the table!

Today I’m up on my pedestal, shouting to be heard about how important it to have a woman in every room, at every meeting and every decision. And as a woman I need to stay on that pedestal and continue to work hard to open doors for the next generation. Make sure you are heard, GO VOTE!

[Paige]

This is such a great book. It’s awesome to read about a variety of Muslim women around the world not just breaking stereotypes, but also being stellar women in general. I think this is an important book to read because most people (in the U.S. at least) never hear about women like this and they need to. They need to read that Muslim women are women. That they are not held to the stereotypes that are often associated with them. It’s important because as the book says time and again, there isn’t enough representation of people that look like them making it seem as if they don’t belong in specific spaces. And that’s not true. Representation is important. And this book is just amazing. Would definitely recommend.

[Jessica M · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a gorgeous book that tells the story of a number of Muslim women. The obstacles they have faced, how they have overcome them, and the change they have made in the world. It shows the breadth of roles they have played, and shows Muslim women in their strength. I highly recommend it. It's a beautiful book with a strong message, important not only to the Muslim women who will find strength in it, but to everyone, showing them a side of these women we may not regularly see portrayed.

[Endah Abidin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think, as a muslim woman, we have faith that basically manages us and gives us direction of our daily life, but it doesn't necesserily opress and limit us to persue our dreams. I hope everyone knows this and equally gives muslim women the chances the others can get.

Anyway, I love how the book gives premium touches: hardback cover, printed on glossy papers and each muslim women in the book got amazing colorful illustrations.

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book about cool badass Muslim women by a cool, badass Muslim woman! Great profiles of women with gorgeous illustrations. Highly recommend for young women/adolescents and girls who could benefit from seeing what great representation — not just Muslim representation, but also representation of women in the arts, sciences, politics, etc — looks like.

[Ellison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shares the many activities women of the faith engage in, even if they are a dude. Many flee their country as they are threatened there and a Western country is more accepting of their faith/beliefs/behaviors. Includes women of the past, features animation-like illustrations. Insightful.

[Candace H-H · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook through the library. Next I want to read the book so I can see the accompanying illustrations of these fascinating, often inspiring books of diverse Muslim women from all over the world.

[Caitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeously illustrated and well-organized collection of stories on Muslim women who are breaking stereotypes, pushing boundaries, and excelling in every field. I learned a lot about different facets of modern Islamic faith and culture from this book.

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great way to get introduced to many amazing Muslim women. It's full of short bios of successful women and beautiful art to accompany each story.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

some amazing women and their stories - many who I heard of and some new to me.

[Justi Trauernicht · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved hearing about different Muslim women across the globe! Very inspiring.

[Saima · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 stars.

This was so inspiring and empowering and I loved everything about it.