Muslim women in science and technology

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Muslim women in sciences and technology, since the Islamic Golden Age, Muslims have been actively participating in various sciences. Muslim women have come a long way; from not being allowed to work outside of being housewives all the way to becoming top achievers. There have and still are many misconceptions about Muslim women, such as that they need to be covered, they are not well-respected, or that they belong in the kitchen. Besides being a Muslim woman and that challenges that come with it, many of them had big parts in science and technology evolvements. These are the women who stepped up in their home countries, who have strict laws in general and became something of themselves.

Women’s contributions to science[edit]

Muslim women have been making scientific discoveries as early as the time of the Prophet Muhammad. Their deep concern for the welfare of people has motivated them to actively participate in a wide range of fields.[1]. Here are some examples of women who had a significant impact on the development of medicine:

1.      Rufayda al-Aslamiyyah[edit]

Also known as the first nurse in Islamic history, Rufayda al-Aslamiyyah led a team of volunteer nurses in the battles of badr, Uhud, Ditch, Khaybar, and other conflicts to take care of the wounded and dying[2]. She further played a role in the development of the first mobile medical units to satisfy the requirements of the community for medical care[2].

Through assisting her father, Saad Al- Aslamy, Rufayda learnt most of her knowledge. She became a healer after devoting her time to nursing and taking care of the ill.  She used to practice her skills in her tent during the battles. The Prophet used to demand that all casualties be sent to her tent as she had high expertise in the field[1].

The Aga Khan University named the College of Nursing and Midwifery after her in honour of her service. The Rufaida Al Aslamiya Award is given annually by the University of Bahrain to exceptional nurses[2].

2.      Al-Shifa bint Abdullah[edit]

AL-Shifa bint Abdulla was one of the wise women of her time. She worked in public administration and trained in medicine[1]. She was the first Muslim women that taught traditional medical practices[2].Although her name is Laila, she was given the name "Al-Shifa," or, "the healing," because of her profession as a nurse.[1]. Her method to treat patients was to use a preventative treatment against ant bites. Her method was approved by the prophet, and she was requested to train other women[1].

Islam and science[edit]

Thousands of years ago, Muslims had a huge part with the advancement of science[3] A single Muslim cultural space emerged on the enormous expanse of the caliphate, where the sciences of physics, chemistry, philosophy, medicine, and mathematics flourished. The scientific discoveries of people living in the wide territories of the Caliphate, regardless of their nationality or religion, were assimilated into Islamic civilization[2].Almost the majority of misconceptions were all just misconceptions. Islam encourages that men and women are equal. Islam granted women the same rights as males to pursue an education, in contrast to the west where women are denied equal access to education[2]. The Islamic Holy Book, The Quran, instructs that Muslims should not just educate their sons, but as well at their daughters.[4] Islamic history also involves very important women political leaders, who were all known for what they did. However, this does not mean that Muslim countries did not restrict women from advancing in their studies. Many Muslim countries were, and still are big on gender-based discrimination, because they believe it is a part of Islam, which is completely false.[3] Proof of this could be the 750 verses from the Quran which state, "the quest for knowledge and science is obligatory upon every Muslim man and woman".[5]

Examples[edit]

Anousheh Ansari[edit]

Anousheh Ansari

Anousheh Ansari on September 18, 2006, a 40 year old woman, was the first female private space explorer.[6] She was launched off from Kazakhstan in a Russian Soyuz spacecraft[7] She migrated from Iran to America when she was about 17, in 1984.[8] In 1993, her husband, Hamid Ansari and brother in law, Amir Ansari worked together and funded a company called Telecom Technologies Inc.[9] Ansari received her bachelor's in computer and electrons engineering from George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia. Soon after, she completed her masters in Washington D.C at George Washington University.[8] Anousheh spoke several different languages, such as Persian, French, English, and Russian - which she learned for her spaceflight.[7]

Hayat Al Sindi[edit]

Hayal Sindi

Hayat Al Sindi is a medical scientist in Saudi Arabia. She is also the first female among the Consultative Assembly of Saudi Arabia's members.[10] Her contributions were extremely good for biotechnology as well as medical testing. "My mission is to find simple, inexpensive ways to monitor health that are specifically designed for remote places and harsh conditions"[11] Her test devices made sure to not require external power, electricity, etc. Sindi never spoke English or even traveled outside of Saudi Arabia, but she ended up moving to England to join a university.[11] After learning English on her, she applied to Cambridge University for biotechnology and was the first female to be accepted into it.[11] Sindi has since then shown a powerful message to other women and children. And let women know that they can transform societies if they wanted to.

Science and technology[edit]

International Forum on Women in Science and Technology in Muslim Countries was held by the United Nations, regarding the changes women have brought in the sciences in Muslim countries.[12]

International society of Muslim women in science[edit]

Established in 2010, The international society of Muslim Women in Science (ISMWS), currently occupies 300 members from 31 countries. It’s successful in various fields such as networking, collaborating, linking institutions across borders, and instilling a great excitement in women for contributing to science in many different areas[13].


See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e Nizamoglu, Cem (2020-02-11). "Women's Contribution to Classical Islamic Civilisation: Science, Medicine and Politics". Muslim Heritage. Retrieved 2024-03-22.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Akhmedshina, Fania Avzalovna (2023-05-08). "THE ROLE OF MUSLIM WOMEN IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF SCIENCE, CULTURE AND EDUCATION IN THE PERIOD OF EARLY ISLAM". {International Scientific Journal}. 2 (5). doi:10.5281/zenodo.7908599.
  3. ^ a b Hassan, Farkhonda (2000-10-06). "Islamic Women in Science". Science. 290 (5489): 55–56. doi:10.1126/science.290.5489.55. ISSN 0036-8075. S2CID 112995606.
  4. ^ "Global Connections . Roles of Women | PBS". www.pbs.org. Retrieved 2020-04-30.
  5. ^ Suzie (January 1960). "A Man For Every Woman". Psychosomatics. 1 (1): 58. doi:10.1016/s0033-3182(60)73055-x. ISSN 0033-3182.
  6. ^ "Anousheh Ansari".
  7. ^ a b Leary, Warren E. (2006-09-12). "She Dreamed of the Stars; Now She'll Almost Touch Them". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-05-01.
  8. ^ a b "Anousheh Ansari | Biography, Spaceflight, & Facts". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 2020-04-30.
  9. ^ "NASA Anousheh Ansari" (PDF). Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 2020-04-30.
  10. ^ "Hayat Sindi to women: Opt for a career in science". Arab News. 2013-01-17. Retrieved 2020-05-07.
  11. ^ a b c "Explorers Directory". www.nationalgeographic.org. Retrieved 2020-05-07.
  12. ^ "Women in Science and Technology in Muslim Countries | UN Women - Headquarters". unwomen.org. Retrieved 2014-03-19.
  13. ^ Nahar, Sultana (2021-01-01). "International Society of Muslim Women in Science". {APS March Meeting Abstracts}. 2021: U71.252.