Sheikhas' Stories (DVD Compilation) 
Total Running Time:  36 minutes

This new compilation DVD contains 5 short documentary films that profile women and institutions, which support women's role in Islam. The women and institutions differ in their approaches, ideas, interpretations at times making the road towards leadership a dynamic journey.  Sheikhas' Stories will be available through Typecast Releasing in September 2009.

The Modern Sheikha (5:00)

This film short discusses the impact of women religious leaders in their communities in the Arab world through the eyes of Ghina Hammoud and her students.  Dr. Saba Mahmood from University of California, Berkeley who wrote the groundbreaking book Politics of Piety: The Islamic Revival and the Feminist Subject (2005) and Dr. R. Stephen Humphries from University of California, Santa Barbara who wrote the foundational book Islamic History (1991) both provide a contextualization to the role women leaders play in their communities in the Arab world.

Magda's Calling (7:30)

Magda Amer is a "daiya" or caller for Islam in Cairo, Egypt.  She has is certified by al-Azhar in Egypt to teach Islam and teaches in several mosques in Cairo.  She is also a doctor and practices alternative medicine and owns a homeopathic shop in a suburb of Cairo.  In her shop, she teaches about "prophetic medicine" or the medicine and nutrition practiced by Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) which incorporates whole grains and aspects of macrobiotics.  She is a author of a number of books including, "Rights and Tolerance in Islam" and "The Secrets of Abolution."  She has also been featured in a number of articles and profiles.  We had the privilege to profile Dr. Amer in the video short, Magda's Calling.  Watch a short sneak preview.  

Socratic Sheikha (6:00)

Hanan al-Lahham is a religious teacher in Damascus, Syria.  Although she did not receive a formal education in Islam when she was young, she endeavored to study and now teaches courses all over the Arab world and writes "tafsir" or commentary or interpretations on al-Qur'an.  She uses a socratic teaching method and encourages discussion during her religious lessons.  Her teaching method is the foundational to how she approaches her writing.  

Mosque of Light (8:15)

The Abu Nour School is part of the Sheikh Ahmed Kuftaro Foundation run by the founder's son Sheikh Salah al-Deen Kuftaro.  The school has encouraged women students since its foundation over 60 years ago in gender separated classes.  The school also houses over 50 women teaches, a number of the women teachers have their doctorates and teach both men and women.  

Ladies of Brilliance (8:30)

Al-Azhar University opened its doors to women over 40 years ago
in a separated segregated campus. Students discuss their studies
and the role of women in
leadership in Islam in the short
Ladies of Brilliance.