55 Stunning Images Of Muslim Women Protesting Around The World

Muslim women have been talking back for a long time.

Activism and faith are inextricably linked for many Muslim women.

On the campaign trail, President Donald Trump criticized Ghazala Khan, the mother of a fallen U.S. soldier, for staying silent during an appearance at the Democratic Convention. He suggested “maybe she wasn’t allowed to have anything to say.”

But Trump was wrong ― Khan had plenty to say and she still does. She’s part of a large group of Muslim women, past and present, who shatter stereotypes and speak up loudly about the issues that matter to them, whether it’s protesting Trump’s backdoor Muslim ban, or showing their support for the victims of Syria’s brutal civil war.

In honor of Muslim Women’s Day, The Huffington Post has curated 55 stunning photos of Muslim women participating in protests for their rights and for peace. The photo collection seeks to highlight just a few of the places in the world that have been touched by the power of Muslim women’s activism. Contrary to the stereotype Trump fell for, Muslim women have been talking back for quite some time.

Now more than ever, it’s important to elevate these women’s voices.

New York, 2017
Lucas Jackson / Reuters
New York Police Department officers arrest organizer Linda Sarsour who was taking part in a 'Day Without a Woman' march on International Women's Day in New York, U.S., March 8, 2017.
California, 2017
David McNew via Getty Images
Women demonstrate in support of a ruling by a federal judge in Seattle that granted a nationwide temporary restraining order against President Donald Trump's ban on travel to the United States from seven Muslim-majority countries, at Tom Bradley International Terminal at Los Angeles International Airport on Feb. 4, 2017.
Pennsylvania, 2017
Charles Mostoller / Reuters
A Muslim women holds a sign during anti-travel ban protests outside Philadelphia International Airport in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S., Jan. 29, 2017.
New York, 2017
Carlo Allegri / Reuters
Women wearing U.S. flag hijabs are pictured during an "I am Muslim Too" rally in Times Square, Manhattan, New York, U.S. Feb. 19, 2017.
New York, 2017
NurPhoto via Getty Images
A woman in the crowd chants in opposition to the Muslim Ban in New York City on Feb. 11, 2017.
New York, 2017
Spencer Platt via Getty Images
Muslim women pray before a protest in lower Manhattan against the polices of President Donald Trump on Feb. 1, 2017, in New York City.
New York, 2017
Pacific Press via Getty Images
A Muslim girl holds a sign during the protest against Trump's executive orders, including the banning of Muslims from certain countries from entering the United States.
Washington, 2017
JASON REDMOND via Getty Images
Ayla Ali (L-R), and her Somali refugee family members, cousin Ryan Adem and aunt Maryan Farah, listen to speakers at a rally for immigrants and refugees in Seattle, Washington on Jan. 29, 2017.
Illinois, 2017
JOSHUA LOTT via Getty Images
A woman yells as she protests President Donald Trump's executive order at O'Hare International Airport on Jan. 29, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois.
Massachusetts, 2017
Brian Snyder / Reuters
Eight year-old Esma, an Irish-Moroccan-American, prays with other Muslim women during a Boston protest against President Donald Trump's executive order travel ban.
Massachusetts, 2017
Brian Snyder / Reuters
Muslim women pray during a protest against President Donald Trump's travel ban on Jan. 29, 2017.
Massachusetts, 2017
Boston Globe via Getty Images
A woman holds a sign during a protest in Copley Square in Boston on Jan. 29, 2017.
Canada, 2017
NurPhoto via Getty Images
Muslim women join in a massive protest against President Trump's travel ban during the National Day of Action against Islamophobia and White Supremacy in downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on Feb. 4, 2017.
Canada, 2017
NurPhoto via Getty Images
A Muslim woman in tears during a rally against Islamophobia and white supremacy in Toronto, Canada, on Feb. 4, 2017.
Canada, 2017
NurPhoto via Getty Images
A Muslim girl holds a sign with a quote from Martin Luther King Jr. during a protest outside of the U.S. Consulate in downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on Jan. 30, 2017.
Canada, 2017
NurPhoto via Getty Images
A Muslim woman holding a sign during a massive protest against President Trump's travel ban outside of the U.S. Consulate in downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on Jan. 30, 2017.
Australia, 2017
Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
A Muslim woman holds a sign during a protest against President Donald Trump and his policies in Melbourne, Australia, Feb. 3, 2017.
Italy, 2017
Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
A woman holds banner, reading '#NoMuslimBan' during a protest against President Donald Trump and his policies outside the U.S. Embassy in Rome, Italy on Feb. 2, 2017.
Austria, 2017
Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Muslims and Austrian citizens attend a protest against a headscarves ban proposed by the government's ruling coalition in Vienna, Austria on Feb. 4, 2017.
New York, 2015
JEWEL SAMAD via Getty Images
A Muslim woman displays a sign as she joins other human rights activists during a demonstration in New York on Dec. 10, 2015 in solidarity for Syrian and Iraqi refugees.
U.K., 2016
Mike Kemp via Getty Images
Protesters gather to demonstrate in support of the people of Aleppo. The protest was intended to show anger at the inaction of the international community in the face of catastrophic bombings in Aleppo.
U.K., 2016
Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Protesters from different societies stage a demonstration outside the French Embassy in London, to show support for Muslim women on Aug. 25, 2016, after 15 French towns introduced and started to enforce a ban on the burkini.
U.K., 2016
JUSTIN TALLIS via Getty Images
Women join a demonstration organized by 'Stand up to Racism' outside the French Embassy in London on Aug. 26, 2016, against the burkini ban on French beaches.
U.K., 2016
JUSTIN TALLIS via Getty Images
A woman joins a demonstration organized by 'Stand up to Racism' outside the French Embassy in London on Aug. 26, 2016, against the burkini ban on French beaches.
Belgium, 2016
Pacific Press via Getty Images
Women cheer in Antwerp at a beach party protest against the ban of burkinis in France.
France, 2016
FRANCK PENNANT via Getty Images
Women hold signs reading, "It is not a provocation, just my freedom of conscience" during a headscarf march against Islamophobia in Avignon, southern France.
Greece, 2016
NurPhoto via Getty Images
Migrants and refugees from camps around the city gather outside the consulate of Germany in Thessaloniki on Sept. 1, 2016 to protest against the difficult living conditions in the camps and to ask for the opening of the borders.
Greece, 2016
Pacific Press via Getty Images
Migrant women from Syria and Afghanistan march outside the Parliament with their children. Around 2,000 refugees and migrants from Asia, along with Greek supporters, protested against the migration agreement between the European Union and Turkey that would send refugees from Greece to Turkey.
Greece, 2016
Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Protesters demonstrate against discrimination of Muslim women in Athens, Greece on Aug. 30, 2016 after 15 French towns introduced and started to enforce a ban on the burkini.
Yemen, 2016
Khaled Abdullah / Reuters
Children and women protest outside the United Nations offices against Saudi-led air strikes in Yemen's capital Sanaa on Jan. 21, 2016.
Indonesia, 2016
Darren Whiteside / Reuters
Muslim women hold signs during a protest calling for an end to the violence in Aleppo, Syria outside the Russian embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia, Dec. 19, 2016.
India, 2016
Yawar Nazir via Getty Images
Kashmir Muslim women protest during the funeral of Javaid Ahmad on Sept. 11, 2016, in Srinagar. Ahmad was injured when Indian government forces fired at him during a protest. Anti-India protests in Kashmir were aimed against Indian rule and the killing of a young rebel commander Burhan Wani. The protests have triggered a heavy crackdown by Indian government forces, along with strict curfews.
Australia, 2016
PETER PARKS via Getty Images
A Muslim woman holds a rose at a Black Lives Matter rally in Sydney on July 16, 2016. Some 300 people gathered at the rally in Sydney to demonstrate against racism in Australia and elsewhere, as racial tensions in the US simmer over the killing of black men by police.
U.K., 2015
Luke MacGregor / Reuters
Demonstrators protest against Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi while he met with Britain's Prime Minister in London, Britain, on Nov. 5, 2015.
Egypt, 2015
Amr Dalsh / Reuters
A news photographer with her mouth taped holds up her camera during a protest against the detention of Ahmed Ramadan, a photojournalist with Egyptian private newspaper "Tahrir," in front of the Syndicate of Journalists in Cairo, Egypt on Aug. 17, 2015.
Turkey, 2015
ADEM ALTAN via Getty Images
Members of the Peace Mothers face police officers during a protest against a suicide bombing that killed 33 young activists on July 20, 2015, in the town of Suruc. The activists had been planning to travel across the border into Syria to help rebuild the town of Kobane. The bomber reportedly had links to Islamic State militants.
Afghanistan, 2015
Omar Sobhani / Reuters
Afghans from the Hmbastagi party (Solidarity Party of Afghanistan) wear masks during a protest to condemn the killing of 27-year-old woman, Farkhunda, who was beaten with sticks and set on fire by a crowd of men in central Kabul in broad daylight.
The Philippines, 2015
Ezra Acayan / Reuters
Muslim women gesture as they join hundreds of peace advocates in a march towards the House of Representatives in Quezon City, on May 11, 2015.
Ukraine, 2014
Monique Jaques via Getty Images
Tatar women visit Kiev's Maidan Square during International Women's Day in 2014 to protest for Ukraine Unity. The Tatar are a Muslim minority from the Crimean region.
Nigeria, 2014
Akintunde Akinleye / Reuters
Women holding signs take part in a protest demanding the release of abducted secondary school girls from the remote village of Chibok, in Lagos May 5, 2014.
Albania, 2012
ROBERT ATANASOVSKI via Getty Images
Women hold pictures of the two ethnic Albanian men killed by an off-duty ethnic Macedonian policeman, at a mass protest on the city square in the western Macedonian city of Gostivar on March 1, 2012.
Egypt, 2012
MAHMUD HAMS via Getty Images
Egyptian Muslim women shout slogans as tens of thousands wave national flags during a rally on Jan. 25, 2012, in Cairo's Tahrir Square to mark the first anniversary of the uprising that toppled Hosni Mubarak, while a debate raged over whether the rally was a celebration or a second push for change.
Nigeria, 2012
PIUS UTOMI EKPEI via Getty Images
Muslim women protest against a hike in oil prices during a rally at Gani Fawehinmi Partk, Ojota district in Lagos on Jan. 13, 2012.
New York, 2011
Spencer Platt via Getty Images
An unidentified woman protests against the regime of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in Times Square on Feb. 4, 2011, in New York City. According to published reports, about 500 people gathered behind police barricades calling for the long-time Egyptian leader's ouster.
Morocco, 2011
Spencer Platt via Getty Images
A woman prays as thousands of Moroccans demonstrate against the regime led by King Mohammed VI on Feb. 20, 2011, in Rabat, Morocco. Thousands of Moroccans from diverse backgrounds and ages took to the streets to protest in Casablanca, Tangier and Rabat. The protests in Morocco, which follow uprisings in neighboring countries, were mostly peaceful.
Sudan, 2010
STR New / Reuters
Sudanese women who were earlier arrested for protesting against laws they say humiliate women speak at a news conference at the Umma Party headquarters in Omdurman Dec. 14, 2010. The women were arrested for protesting on Tuesday after a video of a woman being flogged in public appeared on the Internet. The banner reads, "No violence against women".
China, 2009
PETER PARKS via Getty Images
Chinese riot police watch a Muslim ethnic Uighur woman protest in Urumqi in China's far west Xinjiang province on July 7, 2009, following a third day of unrest. Police fired tear gas to disperse thousands of Han Chinese protesters armed with makeshift weapons and vowing revenge, as chaos gripped this flashpoint city riven by ethnic tensions following rioting that claimed at least 156 lives. Authorities ordered a night curfew and thousands of heavily armed police deployed across Urumqi.
Sudan, 2009
STR New / Reuters
A Sudanese woman shouts slogans during a demonstration against the Israeli offensive in Gaza Strip in Khartoum Jan. 5, 2009.
Iran, 2004
Ramin Talaie via Getty Images
Tens of thousands of Iranians rallied in Enghelab Square to protest US and British bombing of Najaf and Karbala, two of the holiest sites for Shiite Muslims.
West Bank, 2004
JAMAL ARURI via Getty Images
Muslim school girl holds a portrait of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and a national flag as she joins other women among hundreds of demonstrators protesting the construction of the controversial Israeli security fence which goes over their land in the West Bank village of Budrus, some 15 kms west of Ramallah Jan. 1, 2004.
Iraq, 2004
RAMZI HAIDAR via Getty Images
Tearful Iraqi Muslim women protest against the mistreatment of prisoners and demand the release of detainees at the entrance of Abu Ghraib prison in May 2004. An apology by US President George W. Bush for the abuse of Iraqi prisoners by US troops failed to quell the anger of US allies.
France, 2004
Pascal Le Segretain via Getty Images
A Muslim woman demonstrates in the street against the French proposal to bar Muslim women from wearing headscarves in state schools on Jan. 17, 2004, in Paris, France.
Germany, 2004
FABIAN MATZERATH via Getty Images
Muslim women demonstrate Jan. 17, 2004, in Berlin during a protest against plans to ban the Islamic headscarf in the German public service. Some 500 women attended the rally for freedom of religion.
Pakistan, 2001
Visual News via Getty Images
Pakistani women raise their hands in a prayer at a rally Oct. 6, 2001, in Islamabad, Pakistan. They condemned the terrorist attacks in the United States while demanding an investigation and trial take place by the International Court of Justice.
Iran, 1980
Kaveh Kazemi via Getty Images
A group of women protest against wearing Islamic Veil, while spinning their veils in the air, outside the prime minister's offices on July 6, 1980, in Tehran, Iran.

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Nusayba bint Ka'b Al-Ansariyah (Arabia, unknown-634 C.E.)

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