Al-Jazeera Al-Amoudi

Saudi Arabian feminist and educator who pioneered women's education in the Arabian Peninsula

Al-Jazeera Bint Muhammad Al-Amoudi (1905-1981) was a visionary educator who broke gender barriers in early 20th century Saudi Arabia. Born into a merchant family in Jeddah, she defied societal norms to establish the Al-Amoudi School for Girls in 1930 - the first modern girls' school in the Hejaz region. Her institution taught not only traditional subjects but also modern sciences, defying conservative religious authorities.

She later founded the Saudi Women's Association, promoting literacy and vocational training. Her 1945 educational reform proposal to King Abdulaziz included groundbreaking ideas like compulsory education for girls and teacher training programs. Though initially rejected, her ideas influenced later policies.

Al-Amoudi secretly corresponded with Egyptian feminist Huda Sha'arawi, exchanging ideas via coded letters. Her memoir Diaries of a Desert Educator provides unique insights into gender struggles in pre-oil Saudi Arabia. Despite facing fatwas and social ostracism, she trained over 500 female teachers who became community leaders. Modern Saudi women's rights advocates like Loujain al-Hathloul cite her as a foundational figure. Her legacy is preserved in the Al-Amoudi Heritage Museum in Jeddah.