LONDON: More Muslim women than ever are in leading positions in British society today, according to the UK’s first Muslim Women Power List.
The most powerful Muslim woman in the country is Baroness Sayeeda Warsi; she is followed by BBC presenter Mishal Husain.
Warsi, a 38-year-old member of the House of Lords, said her Pakistani origins and her “strong faith” contributed to her career success, highlighted by the Equality and Human Rights Commission.
Other names in the top five of the Muslim Women Power List, chosen by a panel of the commission’s judges, are Wasfi Kani, Grange Park Opera chief executive, and Farmida Bi, a banking partner for law firm Norton Rose LLP.
“I personally come from a family of all girls and was brought up to believe that anything was possible and being a Muslim woman should in no way be seen as a barrier but as an asset to achievement,” Warsi said. “I’m extremely proud to be named as the most powerful British Muslim woman and I’m sure my Pakistani origins, my strong faith and my Yorkshire upbringing has played a huge part,” she added.
A familiar face on TV, Husain joined the BBC as a producer in 1998 and first appeared on BBC World in 2000 as a business presenter. The daughter of a Pakistani surgeon, Mishal was born in Britain, but grew up in the Middle East, returning at the age of 12 to attend school in the UK.
She is a recognized face around the world — seen in over 100 countries. She moved to the main news programs shortly after 9/11 fronting the main news bulletins, reporting on location, and interviewing for the arts program HARDtalk Extra.
Paying tribute to the achievements of the successful women, Trevor Phillips, chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, said: “I would like to congratulate Sayeeda Warsi and the other women who have been shortlisted for our inaugural Muslim Women Power List.
“Our list of female Muslim high achievers challenges many stereotypes, celebrating some truly impressive individuals. This list is just the start of a more ambitious project to create a network of women defined by their professional capabilities and interests, where faith and their background may just be one part of who they are.”
