The first of her kind, a Nigerian warrior Queen of Zaria (née Zazzau), Amina broke the bounds of a male-dominated society. A little side bit to note; she was Muslim.

When we think about World War II the images that are generally conjured up are that of Nazi Germany, bombs, air raids, spies and trenches and not anything remotely related to a woman at war let alone a Muslim one.

These beliefs have become second nature to me. However, many will question my feminism, and many will further state that my faith is incompatible with gender equality.

The Muslim women I have grown up with are strong, powerful and influential.  They have shaped who I am today.  They are patient, aspirational and brilliant.

Since working for Change the Script, I am often asked whether I have a female British, Muslim role model. My mother is British, Muslim and happens to be my role model.

Simply entering the words ‘British Muslim women’ into the News Google Search will provide you with clarity on the issue of misrepresentation in the media.

Growing up, I was an absolute bookworm. I still am, but over the years I’ve been faced with the realisation that the formation of my identity was through literature.

“No, Ray-hana”. I explained, using an Arabic emphasis on the ‘ha’. This assertion usually led to puzzled looks, which ultimately led to me stating, ‘Rihana, if that’s easier’.

Nusaybah bint Ka’ab, Fatima al-Fihiri, Razia Sultan. These are three extraordinary Muslim women, amidst many, in history whose stories are more than just exemplary;

Scanning an office floor of a popular furniture company in London it was clear that first, it’s dominated by men and second, most of the females there were not of an ethnic let alone Muslim background.

‘And my daughter pointed to the image of the woman with blonde straight hair and said “Mummy I want hair like her”. (Selina Bakkar, from Amaliah.com at Stylist Live: ‘Meet the Muslim Women Empowering Others’.).