Fauzia Mubarak Ali was a human rights activist and wife of famous musician Cat Stevens, who later changed her name to Yusuf Islam.
She is the founder of the Human Rights Advocates Association (HRAA), which works to ensure that social justice is consistently delivered in Pakistan.
She has campaigned for women’s rights, democracy, social justice and peace in Pakistan and surrounding Middle Eastern countries.
She is also a devout Muslim, following Islamic teachings and a supportive and loving partner to Yusuf Islam, who is grateful to her for helping him rediscover his faith and music.
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- Full name: Fauzia Mubarak Ali
- Date of birth: March 24, 1958
- Age: 65 years old
- Gender: Female
- Place of birth: Karachi, Pakistan
- Nationality: Pakistani
- Occupation: Human rights activist
- Height: 157 cm
- Parents: Mubarak Ali and Zainab Ali
- Siblings: None
- Spouse: Yusuf Islam (formerly Cat Stevens)
- Children: Hassana Islam, Maymanah Islam, Asmara Eve, Amina Yusuf and Muhammad Islam (Yoriyos Adamos)
- Relationship status: Married
- Net Worth: Estimated $3 million
Early life and education
Fauzia Mubarak Ali, now 65 years old in 2023, was born in Karachi, Pakistan, on March 24, 1958.
She is the daughter of Mubarak Ali and Zainab Ali, who were educated and progressive. She grew up in a middle-class family that valued education and culture.
She attended St. Joseph’s Convent School in Karachi, where she excelled in academics and extracurricular activities.
Since childhood, she has been passionate about literature, poetry and social issues. She also learned to speak Urdu, English, Arabic and Persian fluently.
She moved to Lahore to pursue higher studies at Kinnaird College for Women, one of the oldest and most prestigious women’s colleges in Pakistan.
She graduated with a BA in Urdu Literature in 1979 and won several awards and scholarships for her academic achievements and literary contributions.
She was also actively involved in student politics and social movements, fighting for women’s rights, democracy and secularism in Pakistan.
She received a scholarship to study at Columbia University in New York, where she pursued a Master’s degree in Comparative Literature in 1980.
She continued to pursue her interests in literature, culture and politics and wrote a thesis on the role of women in Muslim society.
She also participates in many cultural and religious events and organizations and meets people from different backgrounds and beliefs.
Personal life
Fauzia Mubarak Ali met Yusuf Islam, formerly known as Cat Stevens, in 1981 at a lecture on Islam at the Islamic Center of New York.
Yusuf Islam is a famous British singer and songwriter who converted to Islam in 1977 and gave up his music career. He was looking for a Muslim wife who could help him grow in his faith and share his vision of serving humanity.
Fauzia Mubarak Ali was impressed by his sincerity, humility and devotion to Islam and agreed to marry him after a short courtship. They held a traditional Muslim wedding ceremony in London in 1982.
The couple moved to London, where they started a family and founded a charity called Small Kindness, which supports orphans, refugees and victims of war and natural disasters around the world.
They also founded the Islamia Schools Trust, which runs a number of Muslim schools in London.
They have five children: Hassana Islam, Maymanah Islam, Asmara Eve, Amina Yusuf and Muhammad Islam (Yoriyos Adamos). Their children are involved in many artistic, educational and humanitarian activities.
Fauzia Mubarak Ali is the loyal and supportive wife of Yusuf Islam, who resumed his music career in 2006 after a long hiatus.
She encouraged him to use his talent and fame to spread the message of peace, love and harmony through his songs.
She also accompanied him on tours and concerts and collaborated on several of his projects. She was his inspiration, strength, and comfort throughout their marriage.
Career
Fauzia Mubarak Ali is a human rights activist who has dedicated her life to fighting for social justice, especially for women, children and minorities in Pakistan and the Middle East.
She is the founder and president of the Human Rights Advocates Association (HRAA), a non-governmental organization that promotes and defends human rights, democracy and peace in Pakistan.
She has been involved in various campaigns and initiatives, such as:
Raising awareness and providing legal support to victims of domestic violence, honour killings, acid attacks, forced marriages and sexual abuse. Educating and empowering women and girls through literacy, vocational and leadership programmes.
Advocate for reform of discriminatory laws and policies that violate the rights of women, religious minorities, and ethnic groups.
Lobby the government of Pakistan to ratify and implement international human rights treaties and conventions.
Organize and participate in protests, rallies, workshops, seminars and conferences on human rights issues. Connect and cooperate with other human rights organizations, civil society groups, media and international agencies.
Fauzia Mubarak Ali is also active in the field of regional and global human rights and represents Pakistan and the HRAA at various forums and platforms, such as:
United Nations Human Rights Council, where she has made statements and reports on the human rights situation in Pakistan and other countries.
Organization of Islamic Cooperation, where she fights for the promotion of human rights and democracy in the Muslim world.
Nobel Women’s Initiative, where she joined other Nobel Peace Prize laureates and women leaders to advocate for women’s rights and peace movements around the world.
Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, where she serves as an executive committee member and regional coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa.
Fauzia Mubarak Ali has received several awards and honors for her human rights work, such as:
The 2010 International Women of Courage Award, presented by the U.S. Department of State, recognizes women who demonstrate exceptional courage and leadership in promoting women’s rights and empowerment.
The King Center in Atlanta’s 2012 Martin Luther King Jr. Awards honor individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to advancing human rights and social justice.
The 2014 Amnesty International Human Rights Defender Awards honour individuals and groups for their outstanding commitment and courage in defending and promoting human rights.
The 2016 Glamour Magazine Woman of the Year Awards honor women who have made a difference in the world through their achievements and influence.
Net worth
Fauzia Mubarak Ali has an estimated net worth of $3 million, which she earned from her human rights activism and her husband’s music career.
She has also donated much of her wealth to charitable causes and organizations, such as Small Kindness, Islamia Schools Trust, HRAA, and many others.
Argumentative
Fauzia Mubarak Ali has faced controversy and criticism for her human rights work and her marriage to Yusuf Islam. Some of the challenges and hardships she has faced are:
She has received threats and harassment from extremist groups and individuals who oppose her views and activities on human rights, women’s rights and democracy.
She has also been arrested and detained by Pakistani authorities several times for participating in protests and campaigns.
She has been accused of being a traitor and spy by some nationalist and conservative elements in Pakistan, who question her loyalty and patriotism.
They also claimed that she was working for foreign agendas and interests and was trying to undermine Pakistan’s Islamic identity and values.
She has been criticized by some feminist and secular groups in Pakistan and the West, who say she is compromising and conforming to patriarchal and oppressive norms of Islam.
They also questioned her choice to marry Yusuf Islam, whom they considered a fundamentalist and fanatic. They also doubted her sincerity and credibility as a human rights activist and accused her of being a hypocrite and a symbolist.
She has been misunderstood and misrepresented by the media and public figures, who have distorted and sensationalized her statements and actions on human rights issues.
They also spread false and misleading information about her background and biography, portraying her as a controversial and divisive figure.
Fauzia Mubarak Ali has responded to these controversies and criticisms with dignity and courtesy, while maintaining her integrity and beliefs.
She has also clarified and corrected misconceptions and misinformation about her and her work, while defending her rights and beliefs.
She also expressed hope and optimism for a better, more peaceful world and called for dialogue and understanding between different groups and communities.
Social media
- Instagram Name: None
- Twitter Username: None
