By Our founder is going back to school.
Amani Al-Khatahtbeh, who launched Muslim Girl from her teenage bedroom when she was only in high school, will be earning the Masters of Science in International Human Rights Law at Oxford University.
“I’m honored to join such an esteemed program and learn a new approach to media through the lens of human rights law,” she says. ”I’m very blessed that my journey is leading me to continue my education in such a prestigious institution and forge new relationships with exceptional peers, in order to strengthen our work in our mutual commitment to positive change.”
Amani built Muslim Girl into becoming a top resource to promote greater understanding and dispel stereotypes about the Islamic faith through amplifying Muslim women’s visibility in the media, working with tech giants like Meta, Twitter, TikTok, and Snap. Her advocacy work has supported collaborative efforts with leading global organizations such as Malala Fund, Gates Foundation and Brookings Institute, among many others.
I’m honored to join such an esteemed program and learn a new approach to media through the lens of human rights law,
Amani previously led media relations at the American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee in Washington, D.C., where she spearheaded national campaigns and partnerships in support of civil rights for Arab and Muslim communities. During her time as media relations director, Amani worked directly on the Supreme Court amicus brief in support of the hijab and religious freedom in EEOC v. Abercrombie.
International Human Rights Law at Oxford University is one of the most competitive human rights programs in academia, offering only 30 seats each year to students from around the world. Offered by the Faculty of Law that is made up of internationally recognized human rights scholars and advocates, graduates of the program have gone on to “work as prosecutors and defense lawyers at the International Criminal Court, other UN criminal tribunals, and various regional human rights bodies … in various ministries in their national governments and as UN officials ranging from refugee legal protection officers to country representatives,” according to its website.
“We are looking forward to welcoming Amani, and all our other new students, to the MSc in International Human Rights Law at the University of Oxford this year,” says Professor Nazila Ghanea.
Amani holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and Middle Eastern studies from Rutgers University, where she also obtained academic certificates in international relations and women’s leadership.
She has previously spoken alongside President Bill Clinton, feminist pioneer Gloria Steinem, and invited by then-First Lady Michelle Obama to the White House. She is a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and named by CNN as one of the 25 most influential Muslims in America.