I am a researcher and activist specializing in the intersection of religion, gender, and sexuality, particularly focusing on Muslim feminist thought. My monograph, "Islamic Feminism: Discourses on Gender and Sexuality in Contemporary Islam," (2020) was published as part of Routledge Book Series "Critical Studies in Religion, Gender, and Sexuality.”

In 2016, I was appointed (tenure track) Assistant Professor for Gender and Religion at Maastricht University. In 2021, I received the Dutch National Research Grant (NOW Veni), enabling me to conduct a four-year research project at the AISSR. My research extends my expertise in Islamic feminism and decolonial Arabic feminist scholarship, delving into the uncaptured manifestations of 'Islamic feminisms' in the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries.

Recognizing the importance of knowledge dissemination and societal engagement in my academic journey, I've published "Einführung in Islamische Feminismen," a non-fiction book accessible to lay readers, published in 2017 and 2020, offering diverse perspectives on feminism. Currently, I am undertaking a creative endeavor to adapt my work into a graphic novel designed as an empowerment tool for Muslim youth in Europe.

I'm an associated expert at the Centre for Intersectional Justice (CIJ) and a co-founder of the Berlin Muslim Feminists' Group, dedicated to promoting Muslim ethics and an inclusive, intersectional feminism.

Research expertise

• Islamic feminism
• Decoloniality
• Intersectionality
• Feminist Theory

Administrative role

• Vice President of the International Association for the study of Religion and Gender (IARG)

Research methods

• Ethnography
• Critical Discourse Analysis
• Textual Analysis
• Intersectionality
• Queer and Poststructuralist Approach

Current research projects

• Muslim Women on the Front Lines of Social and Political Change—Funded by the NWO Veni grant, this research aims to develop a nuanced theory of Muslim women's agency, with a focus on the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. 
• The Power of Graphic Novels—This project aims to engage Muslim youth in Europe in invigorating discussions on Islamic feminism through graphic novels, transforming their experiences into valuable knowledge.

Research grants & honours

• NWO Veni Grant (2021)
• GLS Treuhand Zukunftsstiftung Mensch und Gesellschaft- Grant (2022)
• Khady Demba Stiftung - Grant (2022)
• Friedrich-Ebert Foundation full PhD Scholarship (2013-2016)