Who is the woman you look up to and think that her life is an illuminating example? Whom do you think her success is not only personal but is a success to you and other females? Whose life can be followed with great appreciation and admiration?

“Big Sister” http://www.bigsister.org.uk/ asks who is your big sister and helps us to discover our sisters from all corners of the world who had made a difference through different historical periods. It doesn’t only focus on historical figures, but more importantly record the success of present day Muslim women.  

Shaista Gohir  who is behind “Big Sister” is a role model to be followed herself, as she has started this site as a sincere step from her part to educate the younger generation of females about the different roles that Muslim women have played and are still playing in both Muslim countries and the west. It was crucial to her to have these women as examples for young females who are suffering a void in their memories of women they can relate and look up to. Some of these young Muslim females are under constant brainwashing ideologies whether by the west or by extremists that demean women and their roles in Islam.

I met Shaista couple of months ago in London and sensed her passion and sincerity when she was talking proudly of the many projects she has been involved in; “Big Sister” being only one of her bright record of projects that concentrate on Muslim images in the twenty first century in general.

The site presents a lovely collage of ‘Big Sisters’ aka role models, chosen from different domains, such as, sports and arts and from different parts of the world. Qatar has made it on the site as well with Sheikha Moza as a leading role model.

It is so educational and personally, I must say, humbling to read the success stories of so many magnificent women in different sections of “Big Sister” and have myself mentioned there.

The site is interesting and informative; it has a section testing your knowledge on Muslim women, inspirational quotes, and a section on myth busting (my favorite). The Myth busting section covers topics that deal with patriarchal interpretations of the Quran keeping women away from leadership positions and mosques, and perpetuating inequalities between men and women.

Please do check the site and fill in who is your role model section.