(Instructor, AlBalagh Academy)
Ustadah Zara Faris
Ustadah Zara Faris is a prominent scholar, researcher, and international speaker, recognized for her in-depth analysis and critical engagement with topics surrounding Islam, feminism, and women’s rights. As an instructor at AlBalagh Academy, Zara combines her academic background and vast experience in public debates to offer insightful perspectives on contemporary Muslim issues. Her work, deeply grounded in Islamic principles, addresses gender justice and the role of women in Islam, positioning her as an essential voice in modern Islamic thought.
Academic Background and Early Education
Zara Faris graduated in Arabic and Islamic Studies from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), one of the leading institutions for Islamic and Middle Eastern studies in the UK. As part of her academic journey, she spent a year in Egypt, where she immersed herself in learning the Arabic language. This solid foundation in Islamic studies and Arabic has enabled her to navigate both traditional Islamic texts and contemporary debates with confidence and depth.
Zara’s Kurdish and Pakistani heritage further enriches her understanding of cultural and religious intersections, allowing her to offer nuanced perspectives on issues related to women’s rights, culture, and religion.
Research and Public Engagement
Zara serves as a researcher, writer, and international speaker for the Muslim Debate Initiative (MDI), where she engages with contemporary issues surrounding feminism, Islamic reformation, and gender justice. She has made significant contributions through her writings and public talks, presenting Islam’s perspective on feminism and challenging dominant Western ideologies that shape the discourse on women’s rights.
Her work focuses on exploring gender justice through an Islamic lens, and she is currently working on her much-anticipated book, “Women’s Rights Without Feminism”. In this book, Zara challenges the notion that feminism is the only path to achieving gender justice, offering an alternative framework grounded in Islamic principles.
International Speaker and Debater
Zara is an accomplished public speaker and debater. In the UK, she has delivered lectures at universities such as SOAS, London School of Economics (LSE), King’s College London (KCL), and University College London (UCL), discussing themes like Women in Islam, Justice for Women and Men, Feminism, Reformation and Revival, and Muslims in the West.
Her prowess as a debater has been demonstrated in her high-profile debates with figures such as:
- Natalie Bennett, former Green Party leader
- Julie Bindel, feminist journalist
- Ziba Mir-Hosseini, leading Islamic feminist academic
- Marina Mahathir, daughter of the former Malaysian Prime Minister
Zara’s debate on the motion “This House Believes Sharia Law is Fairer than English Law” with an English Law Judge and QC resulted in her winning the vote based on a change in audience opinion, showcasing her ability to articulate Islamic perspectives persuasively.
She has also debated prominent figures like Tom Holland on Islamic reformation and Peter Tatchell on extremism, demonstrating her wide-ranging expertise in addressing contemporary challenges faced by Muslims.
Media Presence and Global Reach
Zara Faris is a frequent contributor to mainstream media platforms. She has appeared on Islam Channel and BBC Radio, where she engages with discussions on women’s rights, Islam, and social justice from an Islamic perspective.
Her influence extends internationally, having spoken at events in Ireland, Germany, New Zealand, and Malaysia. Her work has been translated into several languages, including Arabic, German, Malaysian, Indonesian, and Albanian, reflecting her global reach and the broad appeal of her message.
Key Contributions
Ustadah Zara Faris is not only a scholar but an advocate for gender justice grounded in Islamic teachings. Through her research, writings, and debates, she challenges the assumptions of feminism and offers a coherent and compelling case for gender equity within an Islamic framework. Her upcoming book, “Women’s Rights Without Feminism”, is set to be a critical contribution to discussions about women’s roles and rights, presenting an Islamic alternative to the feminist paradigm.
Zara’s ability to engage with contemporary debates while maintaining a strong grounding in traditional Islamic knowledge makes her a critical figure in modern Islamic discourse. As an instructor at AlBalagh Academy, she continues to inspire students and audiences worldwide to think critically about the pressing issues facing Muslims today.
To know more, visit https://zarafaris.com/about/