Activists Yassmin Abdel Magied Tells Us The Five Kick-Ass Women To Follow On Instagram

Whilst you may be freaking out about algorithms messing with your news feeds and anxiety draining the joy from using Social Media platforms, the power to follow, watch and learn still lies in your capable hands. One trustworthy voice that we enjoy following is Yassmin Abdel Magied. Yassmin is a mechanical engineer, social advocate, writer and broadcaster (to name but a few of her strengths) who draws on her experiences as a Muslim woman, born in Sudan and raised in Australia, to discuss global topics from her own engaged perspective. Her well-informed, reliable social media platforms are eloquent discussions of issues close to her own heart and homes. We asked Yassmin to share five Instagrammers that she felt are worth us keeping our eyes on and ears open to; shining a light on an array of women and projects who are all challenging the way we think in their own individual ways.

Asma Elbadawi ( @asmaelbadawi)

First up is Asma Elbadawi, a British Sudanese basketball player and spoken word poet. Asma’s dual cultural heritage can be seen to deeply influence both her creative work and her involvement in international development and female empowerment. Asma was one of a group of women who started a petition and successfully campaigned to end the hijab ban in professional basketball. Using both her public role of being an Adidas Global Brand Ambassador and her poetry to discuss the positive effect taking a stand can induce, Asma’s Instagram page is as sensitively serious as it is uplifting and personable. Offering a voice and human image of how polarized worlds can be brought together despite social constructs to separate them.

““Sometime diversity is about understanding that you can all be from the same country, wear the same clothes, be part of the same religion, even speak the same language. But you’re NOT the same” ”

Layla F. Saad ( @laylafsaad )

Next we have Layla Saad – the woman who used Instagram to confront White Supremacy and encourage others to question themselves. Layla is a writer, speaker and host of the Good Ancestor podcast. She focuses on race, identity, leadership and personal transformation within the context of social change. Layla uses social media to speak up about the damaging effects of white supremacy, eloquently educating her audience through the intelligent, humble, positive personality she possesses. Her upcoming book, Me and White Supremacy, was born out of a month-long Instagram challenge where Layla asked her followers to examine what white privilege really means. Covering different manifestation of white supremacy, from white privilege to white fragility, tone policing and white silence, her book poses questions that force a reader to reflect on their own position and examine how to dismantle the privilege within themselves so that they can stop inflicting damage on people of colour and, in turn, help other white people to do better too.

““I don’t know who needs to hear this, but the work of healing myself is anti-racism work too. The work of loving myself is anti-oppression work too. The work of owning all parts of myself as a Black Muslim Woman is #meandwhitesupremacy work too. Just so we’re clear - I’m doing my work too.” ”

Aima Warriach ( @niqabaechronicles )

Continuing with the theme of kick ass women, we turn our attention to Aima Warriach who is using her space on social media to bring to the forefront conversations surrounding female Muslim identity and the negative stereotypes assosiated with women who choose to wear hijabs and niqabs. Known online as NiqaBae Chronicles, Aima creates and shares dynamic, pop art illustrations alongside powerful and punchy slogans and memes themed around gendered islamophobia. By talking back to those calling Muslim women oppressed, The NiqaBae Chronicles offer personal insights, hard hitting truths and humorous anecdotes bound together with a sense of sisterly support. Aima herself explores the choices related to practicing her faith including wearing a hijab and encouraging open minded connotations surrounding her identity. A lead example of how Muslim women are shaping their own narratives, Aima Warriach and her wonderful stance on life is one you should get to know.

““I’m not going to allow myself to exist for the sole purpose of making you feel comfortable. I will not censor myself so that you can chew on your guilt. I’m not a palate cleanser for your white optics. I don’t break stereotypes to break stereotypes! Jummah Mubarak. You are not alive to please the aesthetic of colonized eyes” ”

Amaliah ( @amaliah_com )

Founded 5 years ago by sisters, Nafisa Bakkar and Selina Bakkar, Amaliah is a media platform amplifying the voices of Muslim women. Amaliah’s page offers an inclusive and uplifting home for women working their way through the highs and lows of life. Be it business, careers, relationships, sex or social dynamics, Amaliah recognises and prioritises the role faith plays in amongst the advise offered. This social media platform exists alongside Amaliah’s website which is an elegant archive of articles and news. Podcasts creating communities of listeners, offering space to learn from and connect with fellow Muslim business women, mothers, thinkers and talkers. There is also a safe space where you can ask anonymous sex questions. It is made for modern working women and it has a tone of sisterhood that makes you feel welcome.

““Dedicated to representing Muslim women. Led by a passion to empower individuals through their identity, our work seeks to surface the many different voices and experiences within our community.””

Dr Kiona ( @hownottotravellikeabasicbitch )

Dr Kiona, Kiki for short, founded How Not To Travel Like A Basic Bitch; a glorious combination of intelligent, genuine insights to travelling with an entrepreneurial mindset and focus on global progress for good. Offering travel information from people who are born in the country, Kiki is highlighting ethical tourism and the impacts felt by those on the ground. There is an awareness in the content that Kiki’s platforms deliver that has good at the heart of it, cheek surrounding the edges and depth amongst the landscape. Describing itself as offering “honest travel content to help other travelers...while simultaneously checking privilege”, Kiki is honest and clear minded when explaining the reality of her role as an “influencer” and the responsibilities that come with wanting to change the game and make people consciously aware.

““Hi, my name is Kiona & I post ass shots every 1,000 followers to show you can be smart, care about the world, and post ya ass all at the same time. I like it, you ain’t gotta. I’d like to take this ass shot to say thank you to everyone who wrote what their barrier to access was on the giveaway yesterday. Felt like I read a whole dissertation in economic and cultural barriers to reach nature. Still making my way through.” ”

Words: Bethany Burgoyne