A woman of substance
In March of this year, when the Women’s March and Convid-19 are making the headlines and some quarters have tangled both these matters with Islam, I am reminded of a woman in the early history of Islam who is closely related to both these issues. Khawla bint Azwar came to public attention when Muslim armies were engaged with the conquest of Syria soon after death of the Prophet. Her name is as pertinent in the Arab world today as it has been in the preceding fourteen centuries. In Saudi Arabia, many streets and schools are named after her as are numerous schools and institutions across the Arab world. It also continues to be a popular name for Arab Muslim girls. USAtoday reported in July 2005 that an Iraqi all women military unit had been named after her. Khwala bint Azwar Military School is a military training facility for women in Abu Dhabi established in the previous decade. Jordan issued a stamp in 1981 in her honour as part of the "Arab Women in History”. She is also mentio