The Al Mujadilah Centre and Mosque for Women, inaugurated in January 2024, has quickly established itself as a pioneering space for Muslim women to learn, connect, and engage in public discourse. Under the visionary leadership of Executive Director Dr. Sohaira Siddiqui, the centre is already making significant strides towards its ambitious goals just six months after its opening.
Founded by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, the centre’s mission is to strengthen Islamic identity among Muslim women of diverse ages and backgrounds and to enrich contemporary Islamic discourse. A key figure in this initiative is Dr. Siddiqui, an Associate Professor of Islamic Studies and Theology at Georgetown University in Qatar.
Dr. Siddiqui’s extensive expertise in Islamic law and her experience with various educational institutions have been crucial in actualizing Her Highness Sheikha Moza’s vision.
The centre celebrates the rich history of Muslim women as leaders and thinkers, focusing on research projects in Islamic texts, law, and ethics; the lives of Muslim women; and their health and well-being.
The name Al Mujadilah, inspired by Surat Al Mujadilah (She who discourses), honors Khawla bint Tha’labah, a companion of the Prophet (PBUH) known for her successful advocacy for women’s protection under Islamic law. “When I first heard about Al Mujadilah, I saw a unique opportunity to create a special place for learning and dialogue,” says Dr. Siddiqui. This role allows her to merge her academic background with her understanding of the significant gaps in the study of Muslim women’s lives, both historical and contemporary.
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Dr. Siddiqui’s work at Al Mujadilah is closely aligned with her academic pursuits. As a distinguished scholar, she has authored several books on the history of Islamic law. Her upcoming book, Contesting Colonial Power: Refashioning Islamic Law in British India, examines how Islamic law persisted and adapted under British colonial rule, starting from 1757 when the British East India Company sought to replace Mughal authority and modify the legal system to meet their administrative needs.
Her other publications on Islamic law, colonialism, and gender have been well-received and continue to influence scholars worldwide in both English and Arabic.
Dr. Siddiqui’s edited volume, Locating the Shari’a: Legal Fluidity in Theory, History, and Practice, has recently been translated into Arabic. Additionally, her 2019 book, Law and Politics under the Abbasids: An Intellectual Portrait of Al Juwaynī, is also in the process of being translated.
At Al Mujadilah, Dr. Siddiqui’s vast research experience informs the centre’s initiatives. The research and programming theme for the coming year, “Muslim Women in Public Life: Possibilities and Challenges,” delves into the contributions of Muslim women to society and public life from the early days of Islam to the present. The centre will explore the various roles women have played—as scholars, economic actors, patrons, or political agents—and how these roles have been influenced by cultural, religious, and political factors throughout history and in contemporary contexts. It aims to provide a vibrant platform for female scholars and foster international research networks to share their work.
For Dr. Siddiqui, leading Al Mujadilah is both a professional milestone and a personal mission. As a scholar and new mother, she recognizes the centre’s potential to make a significant impact. “Having served as Chair of the Board of Trustees of Cambridge Muslim College for several years, I am delighted to help shape another centre for learning closer to home, one dedicated to advancing female scholarship and engagement with Islam,” she shares.
