> International Day of Women and Girls in Science

10th of February 2023

Today is the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. A gender gap in STEM still exists globally despite some encouraging advances. Due to gender preconceptions and expectations, this disparity first appears in education. Systems of bias that prevent women and people of colour from pursuing STEM occupations can have an impact on the goods and services developed by STEM companies.

This year, we want to specifically highlight the achievements and contributions of the Muslim women in science throughout history, as well as those who are currently making their mark in the field today

From early Islamic scholars who made ground-breaking discoveries in medicine and astronomy for centuries, including during the golden age of Islamic Civilization from 750-1258 C.E.

In the 10th century, a Muslim woman named Maryam Al-Ijliya, also known as Mariam al Astrulabi was a well-known scientist of astrolabes. Mariam was born in 950 C.E. In present day Aleppo in Syria. Maryam is credited for developing the first ‘complex’ astrolabe, an invention akin to a GPS navigation tool for the stars with multiple functions, such as identifying stars or planets to determine local latitude given local time.

The astrolabe was heavily used for trade as a marine navigation tool. Maryam’s contribution to the science of astrolabes was officially recognised when the main-belt asteroid Al-Ijliyy was named after her, following its discovery by Henry E. Holt at Palomar Observatory in 1990.

Other notable Muslim women throughout history include Fatima al-Fihri (800 C.E.), a Moroccan woman credited with founding the world’s first university in 859 C.E. The University of Al-Qarawiyyin as it is known has been continuously operating ever since. Fatima introduced the issuance of degrees and pioneered the model of higher education that has been adopted across the world.

Born in present day Tunisia, her family migrated to present day city of Fez in Morocco. After inheriting a large sum of money, Fatima sought to dedicate it to the establishment of a mosque that also provided excellent education for the community, which subsequently became one of the leading spiritual and educational centres in the Muslim World. The notable alumni include: Jewish philosopher Maimonides (1138 – 1204), the great Muslim Philosopher Ibn Rushd (Averroes) (1126 -1198) and Pope Sylvester II (946 – 1003).

These amazing women are two examples of how Muslim civilisations have always been ahead of their time when it comes to recognising the value of education for both men and women at all levels!

Today’s generation is continuing these amazing legacies with incredible female scientists working around the world! Some notable Muslim Scientist are:

Dr. Rana Dajani a Palestinian Jordanian molecular biologist. She is an associate professor of biology and biotechnology at the Hashemite University in Jordan. Rana’s core research areas include molecular biology, genetics and stem cells. Her genome-wide association studies on diabetes and cancer on stem cells in Jordan led to the development of the Stem Cell Research Ethics Law framework in the country.

Professor. Bina Shaheen Siddiqui from Pakistan. She has made significant contributions to medicine and agriculture through her study and classification of indigenous plant materials. Professor Siddiqui has also written more than 250 research articles and has been honoured with several prestigious awards, including the Khwarizmi International Award of Iran and the Salam Prize in Chemistry.

Dr. Hayat Sindi, a biotechnologist from Saudi Arabia who has dedicated her career to promoting science education and mentoring young women in the field. She is a co-founder of the Institute of Imagination and Ingenuity, a non-profit organization that encourages young people to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

On International Day of Women & Girls in Science let us remember that science knows no gender or ethnicity – everyone deserves an equal chance at success regardless of where they come from or what religion they practice! We owe it to ourselves & future generations to ensure that our educational systems provide access for all genders & backgrounds so that everyone can reach their fullest potential without fear or prejudice! Let us continue striving towards this goal each day until it becomes reality – Happy International Day of Women & Girls in Science!

Education is key to empowering women and girls to succeed in science. By providing access to quality education and mentorship opportunities, we can help break down the barriers that prevent women from entering and thriving in the field of science.

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