Women's Voices Conference
The Women’s Voices conference will examine the history, practice, significance, and impact of Muslim female preachers in Africa, focusing on their roles and contributions, and the challenges they face within diverse cultural, social, geographic, historical, and theological contexts. We invite contributions from scholars and practitioners and especially encourage African scholars and practitioners to consider contributing.
We are interested in papers that explore, but are not limited to, the following topics: Historical perspectives, including the evolution of women’s roles in Islamic preaching and religious leadership. Theological contributions, such as interpretations of scripture and religious discourse by Muslim female preachers. Contemporary dynamics, examining the roles of female preachers in modern Muslim societies, including their impact on religious education, family and community life. Intersectionality and the interplay of gender, race, and class in shaping the experiences of female preachers. Challenges and opportunities that may include societal, institutional, and personal barriers to, or opportunities within women’s religious leadership. Comparative analyses or cross-regional studies of female preachers in various Muslim-majority and minority contexts.
We are open to papers that engage different methodological approaches, including but not limited to ethnographic, historical, theological, religious studies, media studies, textual studies, gender studies, ethics, sociological and political. We also welcome studies of Muslim female preachers that are geographical diverse within Africa.
Conference Links
Conference Schedule, Day 1
Gendered Religious Authority and Female Preaching
Chair: Dr. Asmaa Benbaba
- Ahmad Mustafa and Asmaa Benbaba, “Female Preachers in Egypt and Morocco: Styles, Themes, and Content”
- Binyamin Lawal, “Alternative Space: Visibility of Muslim Female Preachers on University Campuses”
- Safina Garba Isa, “Gender, Religion, and Authority: Historicising the Muslim Female Preaching Voice in Northern Nigeria”
Ethics, Moral Formation, and Gendered Religious Instruction
Chair: Reham Salamah
- Abdulkarim Auwal, “Culture, Religion, and Marriage in Northern Nigeria: A Case Study of Maryam Lemu’s Insights”
- Rahina Muazu, “Female Muslim Preachers and the Moral Formation of Women: A Comparative Study of Nigeria and the United States”
- Aisha Salis Abdullahi, “Islamic Work Ethics among Muslim Women Workers in Jos South”
Women as Producers of Islamic Knowledge: Theology, Tafsir, and Law
Chair: Dr. Rahina Muazu
- Sadiya Sabiu Lalo, “Women’s Voices in the Minbar: Theological Contributions of Muslim Female Preachers in Contemporary Africa”
- Muhammad Abubakar Yakasai, “Mariya Maitafsiri: The Intellectual Emergence of a Female Scholar in Kano’s Islamic Tradition”
- Maryam Sharrieff, “Khadimatul Qur’an: Sheikha Mariama Niasse as a 21st-Century West African Mujaddida and Transnational Islamic Authority”
Conference Schedule, Day 2
Digital Islam and the Transformation of Female Religious Authority
Chair: Professor James Yeku
- Murtala Ibrahim, “Algorithmic Domestic Piety: Gendered Seclusion and the Rise of Female Digital Islamic Preachers in Northern Nigeria”
- Moruff Mudasiru, “‘Who Speaks for Islam?’ Muslim Female Preachers, New Media Worlds, and the Politics of Knowledge in Contemporary Southwest Nigeria”
- Hassan Ndzovu, “From Madrassa to Microphone: Muslim Women and the Making of Religious Authority in Kenya”
- Ahmad Mustafa: “Between Institutional Authority and Digital Charisma: Media Performance and Female Religious Preaching in Contemporary Egypt”
Institutional Authority and Female Religious Leadership: Al-Azhar and Beyond
Chair: Professor Jacquelene Brinton
- Zeinab Fahmy and Fahmy Abdelkawy, “Women’s Participation in Official Fatwa: Egypt’s Dar al-Ifta as a Case Study of Institutional Religious Authority”
- Reham Salamah, “Becoming a Female Faith Actor: Women’s Leadership and Religious Authority at Al-Azhar”
- Osaama Raslan, (Title)
Community, Voice, and Social Transformation
Chair: Professor Jacquelene Brinton
- Hana Abbasian, “Digital Sisterhood: Intersectional Identity, Ethics, and Community Building in Muslim African Women’s Podcasts”
- Ricka Mammah, “Community Power and Equitable Justice: Religious and Community Leaders Addressing Intimate Partner Violence”
Submission Guidelines
We welcome submissions from diverse disciplines, including religious studies, sociology, anthropology, gender studies, media studies, and history. Abstracts should be:
- 250–300 words, clearly outlining the research question, methodology, and relevance to the conference theme. Or
- A short bio (100 words), including institutional affiliation or background and contact information.
Submission and Contact:
To submit abstracts and for any inquiries, please contact Dr. Jacquelene Brinton or Dr. Rahina Muazu