By What first began as a teen blog in a bedroom in New Jersey has now marked the tenth annual global campaign of Muslim Women’s Day. This year, Muslim Girl was honored with an official proclamation by New York City, signaling a full-circle moment as a once youth-driven act of rebellion has evolved into a formidable cultural force on the world stage.
The recognition signals something larger than an anniversary. It affirms a shift in authorship: one in which Muslim women are no longer positioned at the margins of narrative, but at its center.
Led by Shahana Hanif, the first Muslim woman elected to the City Council, the proclamation celebrates Muslim Girl’s decade-long “influence through a sophisticated blend of journalism, political advocacy, and industry-disrupting partnerships…proactively reshaping the visual landscape.”
Amani Al-Khatahtbeh began Muslim Girl as a refusal of misrepresentation, erasure, and inherited narratives that failed to account for the complexity of Muslim women’s lives. That refusal has since expanded into a platform that operates as both archive and intervention.
In her remarks, Amani reflected:
“This honor belongs to every Muslim woman and girl that has been part of our journey, that has been silenced, that has stood up against adversity to talk back.”
What began with a high school student refusing to accept biased narratives has matured into a leading media platform. One that positions Muslim women not as subjects, but as protagonists of their own stories. Muslim Girl has grown from a digital sanctuary into an active force where Muslim women speak back to the halls of power.
From challenging outdated stereotypes to shaping culture and influencing public discourse, the platform has redefined representation on its own terms while reflecting Muslim women as they see themselves.
Our tenth annual Muslim Women’s Day marks more than an anniversary. It is a milestone in history. With the New York City Council formally recognizing the impact of Muslim Girl, a decade of work across Muslim women and our partners and allies is not only celebrated, but institutionalized.
“We reaffirm our commitment and intentions for the decade ahead,” says Amani.
