A Muslima is a Muslim woman. Not all Muslim women refer to themselves as Muslimas; those who do tend to be younger, and sometimes more socially aware. The use of the term “Muslima” is akin to the use of words like “Latina,” which is used to describe a woman of Latin origin. Ultimately, the decision to refer to oneself as a Muslima is a personal choice; more conservative Muslims tend not to use it.

By describing herself as a Muslima, a Muslim woman rejects the all-encompassing “Muslim,” distinguishing herself as a separate and distinctively female entity. In a sense, using “Muslima” is empowering, reminding people of the role of women in Islam and stressing the idea that women can be independent, powerful people with their own thoughts, ideas, and goals which may be separate from those of Muslim men.

There are many misconceptions about the role of women in Islam, especially in the West. Most of these misconceptions are the result of poor education or a lack of understanding about the Muslim world, and many Muslimas in the West work hard to undo the stereotypes about Muslim culture, society, and attitudes towards women. By adopting the term “Muslima,” they stress that Islam is for women as well as men.