Qasim Amin

A pioneering Egyptian feminist and legal scholar who championed women's rights and education in the late 19th century.

Qasim Amin (1863–1908) was a visionary Egyptian jurist and writer whose work Tahrir al-Mar'a (The Liberation of Women) revolutionized social discourse in the Ottoman Empire. Born in Alexandria, Amin studied law in Paris, absorbing Enlightenment ideals that he later applied to Egyptian society. His 1899 treatise argued for women's education, legal rights, and participation in public life, challenging entrenched patriarchal norms. Amin's ideas influenced early feminist movements across the Arab world, though his nuanced approach—advocating gradual reform over radical change—made him a controversial yet respected figure. He served as a judge in Cairo and later became a member of the Egyptian Parliament, using his platform to push for coeducational schools and women's suffrage. His legacy is preserved in modern Cairo University's archives and through his correspondence with feminist pioneers like Hoda Shaarawi. Learn more at Wikipedia or Encyclopedia Britannica.