In our aim to celebrate Muslim women at Iwomantoday Magazine we have covered a variety of stories from different segments. However, the most popular articles among our readers came from fashion, career and Leading Woman. Below are the most popular articles of 2021. We hope the stories in these articles continue to inspire our readers.
1.From Poet to Politician: Meet Fatma Adam Hussein by Moffin Opilio
Fatma Adam Hussein is a poet, author of The Africa I Want: Poems by Fatma Adam, and a gender activist. A Kenyan born Somali from Wajir County in North Eastern part of Kenya and an aspiring member of parliament for Langata Constituency in Nairobi. Fatma received a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in International Relations with a concentration in Diplomacy and Foreign Policy and a Minor in Journalism from the United States International University (USIU-Africa). Dubbed ‘Fatma the Feminist’, she describes herself as ‘an agent of change’ who is passionate about women’s rights, politics, leadership and development. Speaking to Iwomantoday magazine, Fatma expressed her passion for politics and development began back in her days at USIU-Africa, where she formed the first Gender Committee under the International Relations Club.
2. Kenya’s Top Female Blood Donor Embarks on a Mission to Save Lives by Gamal Jamil.
Aisha Dafalla has donated blood sixty-eight times for the past forty years making her highest female donor in Kenya recognized by the Kenya National Blood Transfusion Service (KNBTS). The mother of three continued to donate blood regularly, starting with once a year and gradually to three times annually and taking breaks in between during pregnancies or breastfeeding. Earlier this year, the Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe appointed Aisha as the Kenyan Ambassador for blood donation.
3.Tempting Destiny: Meet Celebrated Coast Journalist Amina Chombo by Leila Adam
Amina’s dream was to become a nurse. However, destiny would have it that she would be a renowned radio journalist. The Voice of America (VOA) Swahili Service correspondent based in Mombasa County was always a fan of radio and enjoyed listening to her favorite presenters on Pwani FM such as Omar Mwagao. One day, while keenly listening to her favorite radio program during a call in session, she decided to play with destiny and sent in a text message that read “I want to be a radio presenter, how do I do that? The courageous move she made would pay off as the radio station called her back and scheduled a meeting with her favorite presenter Omar Mwagao.
4.The Nuralains: Taking Hijab Fashion by Storm by Leila Adam
In 2015, frustrated by the lack of access to Muslim women’s fashion in Kenya, Nasra and her sister Benazir saw a need for unique modest pieces in the market and seized the opportunity to venture into business. Nasra Nuralain is the co-founder and part owner of the Islamic fashion brand for Muslim women called The Nuralains on Instagram, a self-taught fashion designer; she co-founded and owns the business with her sister Benazir Nuralain. She began showcasing her unique design pieces sharing them on her blog and Instagram page, which gained her popularity as well following over time.
5.Tapping into the Online Space: Meet Shaada Islamic Gifts by Leila Adam
Founder and C.E.O. of Shaada Islamic Gifts Shaarifa K. Adam never imagined she would be stumbling on her new business venture when she was looking for an Islamic gift to purchase for a friend during Ramadhan. Sharifa officially launched her online store on Instagram called Shaada Islamic gifts in May 2020, where she sells unique packaged gift boxes that contain several items such as the Holy Quran, prayer mat and pearl tasbeeh (prayer beads) in a case. Other gift items include miswak with holder, black seed soap and Ayatul Kursi Magnet. The items in the gift boxes are bright and colorful, they include green, blue, red, gold, pink, purple, gray, black, white and many more to suit the taste of her customers. The Islamic gift boxes contain the same items but are catered to fit her female and male customers accordingly.
By: Leila Adam
