Many Americans have preconceived notions of what it means to be a Muslim woman, usually considering them oppressed figures. Huffington Post, however, has offered a different narrative, publishing a list of 10 most prominent Muslim women who attained power in their countries.
There are many female examples that overcame the traditional pattern and proved they could govern nations, the last who joined the list this month was Mauritius President Amina Gharib Fuqim.
10. Benazir Bhutto
Bhutto is the 11th Prime Minister of Pakistan. She was the first and only Muslim who occupied the post so far, and served the country for two consecutive terms from 1988 to 1990 and then from 1993 to 1996.
9. Megawati Soekarnoputri
Soekarnoputri assumed the presidency of Indonesia in the period between 2001 to 2004.
8. Sheikha Hasina Waged
Sheikha Hasina is the current Prime Minister of Bangladesh. She assumed the Cabinet responsibility since January 2009. She became prime minister in the period between 1996 to 2001.
7. Khalida Zia
The Bangladeshi Prime Minister in the period between 1991 to 1996. She assumed the post again from 2001 to 2006, and was the first woman in Bangladesh and the second in the Muslim world after Bhutto to preside over a democratic Cabinet.
6. Atifa Yahya Agha
Agha is not only the current president of Kosovo, but also the first head of state in the modern history of Balkans, and the youngest president ever to be elected.
5. Tansu Ciller
Ciller is the first and only Turkish female who assumed the prime minister post to date. She held this post from 1993 until 1996. Ciller was an academician and economist.
4. Mame Madior Boy
The Prime Minister of Senegal in the period between 2001 to 2002.
3. Aminata Touré
Touré was the Minister of Senegal in the period between 2013 to 2014.
2. Cissé Mariam Kaïdama Sidibé
This university professor turned politician took over the position of prime minister of Mali in the period between 2011 to 2012, being the first woman appointed to this position in the country.
1. Amina Gharib Fuqim
The latest Muslim female president who assumes the post. She is the new president of the state of Mauritius as well as its general leader.
