President Halimah Yacob has been ranked the 36th most influential Muslim woman in the world.
She was included in the list of The World’s 500 Most Influential Muslims for 2022, compiled by The Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre.
President Halimah Yacob Ranked World’s 36th Most Influential Muslim
Image source: Facebook / Halimah Yacob
President Halimah Yacob made her first appearance on the list in 2018, which was a year after she became president in 2017. Then in 2021, she achieved the 37th position, followed by the 36th position for 2022 listing, making it the highest rank ever achieved by Mdm Halima.
She is also the only Singaporean who has made it to the top 50 within the list.
Along with Syria’s Munira Qubeysi, Mdm Halimah is one of the two women who made it into the top 50 for this year. Our inspirational president also ranked higher than most Southeast Asian world leaders.
There were three other Singaporeans that received honourable mentions on the list. This includes the following:
- Syed Hassan Al-Attas
He sits on the Presidential Committee of Minority rights and is recognised for being a “pillar of strength and unity.” - Mohamed Faizal Mohamed Abdul Kadir
A deputy chief prosecutor and senior state counsel at the Attorney-General’s Chambers. - Zainul Abidin Rasheed
He is Singapore’s ambassador to Kuwait and Special Envoy to the Minister of Foreign Affairs to the Middle East.
5 Ways President Halimah Yacob Inspires Women All Over The World
Image source: Facebook / Halimah Yacob
Aside from ranking high in The World’s 500 Most Influential Muslims, President Halimah Yacob has many other notable achievements that make her an inspiration for all women. Here are five ways she has inspired many of us:
1. Singapore’s first female president
President Halimah Yacob is not only the first female president of Singapore, but also Singapore’s first female Speaker of Parliament. She is also the first Singaporean elected to the governing body of the International Labor Organisation.
In the list, The Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre has noted that Mdm Halimah has a “strong international profile, regularly meeting world leaders.”
2. A hardworking mother
A mother of five, Halimah Yacob knows how to balance work with family. Along with her husband Mohammed Abdullah Alhabshee, Mdm Halimah continues to work towards supporting flexible working arrangements and family care leave.
The couple have also been vocal about various social causes pertaining to family care.
3. Has continuously fought for women’s rights
Mdm Halimah is known to have broken barriers since she started her career. Before becoming president, she championed the interests of women and workers; having served various boards.
This includes Housing and Development Board, Tripartite Alliance on Fair Employment Practices, Tripartite Workgroup on Enhancing Employment Choices for Women, and Mendaki Sense.
She even successfully fought for equal medical benefits for women civil servants.
4. A strong advocate of mental health issues
Mdm Halimah has also been vocal about her devotion to mental health issues and has served as the patron to Club HEAL, a local mental health organisation.
The president gave much of her time and energy to help debunk the stigma revolving around mental health problems.
Being part of the organisation for several years, Mdm Halimah has helped establish two out of the three Club HEAL rehabilitation centres.
5. A loving daughter to her mother
Having come up from a humble background, Mdm Halimah has been open about her childhood struggles. On multiple occasions she’s also spoken about her mother, who worked very hard to provide for their family.
She previously told The Straits Times that her mother was largely responsible for making her who she is today. Her mother’s passing was said to be the saddest moment of her life.
“She never believed in giving up and was always concerned about the welfare of others. Despite the many blows life handed to her, she never complained,” said Mdm Halimah about her mother at the time.
Lead image source from Facebook / Halimah Yacob.
Source: Mothership, Singapore Women’s Hall of Fame
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