Qasim Amin

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

Qasim Amin (1863-1908) was a visionary Egyptian jurist and writer whose work laid the foundation for modern Arab feminism. Born into an aristocratic family in Alexandria, he studied law in Paris where he was exposed to Enlightenment ideas that profoundly influenced his views on gender equality. Returning to Egypt, he became the first president of the Egyptian Bar Association and used his legal expertise to challenge oppressive social norms.

His groundbreaking book Women's Emancipation (Tahrir al-Mar'a), published in 1899, argued for women's education, legal rights, and participation in public life. This work ignited fierce debates across the Arab world, making him both celebrated and controversial. Amin's advocacy for women's right to education led to the establishment of Egypt's first girls' school in 1900, a milestone in regional educational history.

He also fought against polygamy and female illiteracy, advocating for women's access to professions like teaching and medicine. Though his views were radical for his time, they inspired later generations of reformers. Today, his legacy is remembered through the Qasim Amin Prize awarded by the Egyptian Ministry of Culture for contributions to social progress.

For more details visit the British Museum's collection on Egyptian feminist literature or explore Cairo's National Archives digital archives.