In
the
name
of
Allah,
The
Most
Gracious,
The
Dispenser
Of
Grace
Why we miss her
Sharon Sorour-Morris
Femina Magazine
Shamima Shaikh (37), who died of cancer in recent months, was South
Africa's leading Muslim gender-equality activist, highly respected for her
tenacity and bravery in the face of fierce opposition from conservative elements in her
commmunity. She led a rebellion of Muslim women worshippers at a mosque in 1994 and
started an 'alternative' congregation where gender equality and all its implications for
lslamic thought and practice were the norm.
More recently when another Muslim radio station denied women the
right to be on air, Shamima served as chair of the Muslim Community Broadcasting Trust
which runs The Voice, a Johannesburg Muslim community radio station.
Even at the hour of her death she fought for a woman's rights. She
asked that a closefriend lead her funeral prayers, ensuring that for the first time in
centuries, a Muslim's funeral service was led by a woman. Shamima is survived by her
husband, Naeem Jeenah, and their sons Minhaj (nine) and Shir'ah (seven).
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