Fatma al-Zahra al-Maraghi

An Egyptian feminist and educator who pioneered women's education in early 20th-century Egypt through her work in Islamic theology and science.

Fatma al-Zahra al-Maraghi (1905–1990) was a visionary Egyptian scholar and educator who broke barriers for women in Islamic studies and scientific research. Born into a prominent family in Cairo, she became one of the first women to study at the Al-Azhar University, specializing in Islamic jurisprudence and mathematics. Her groundbreaking work challenged traditional gender roles by advocating for women's participation in religious scholarship and STEM fields.

In 1930, al-Maraghi co-founded the Al-Azhar Women's College, the first institution in Egypt to offer higher education to women in Islamic studies and natural sciences. She later became a professor at Cairo University, teaching mathematics and promoting women's enrollment in engineering and medicine. Her research on integrating scientific principles with Islamic theology made her a respected figure in both academic and religious circles.

Al-Maraghi's advocacy extended to political activism; she supported women's suffrage and participated in drafting Egypt's post-colonial constitution. Her legacy includes over 20 published works, including "Science and Religion in Modern Egypt", which remains a seminal text on interfaith dialogue. Today, her name is commemorated in scholarships and educational initiatives across the Middle East.

Her contributions are highlighted in the documentary "Daughters of Al-Azhar: Pioneers of Change", and her archival papers are preserved at the Egyptian National Museum of Science.