In the opening years of the 21st century, I see a number of Muslim women who have achieved positions of influence – in local government, business, further and higher education, charities and other organisations. Women who care about the society in which they live and bring up their children; women who increasingly find a voice together to promote values and who work together to make things happen. There's a considerable way to go in harnessing the potential that lies at the heart of this change and there is a need to acknowledge that there also continues to be a disproportionate lack of reflection on women's achievements and experiences. But there is plenty of evidence to suggest that Muslim women are paving the way forward in new dynamic, challenging and creative ways. This book is all about them, women of multiple generations who do not see themselves as victims. They depict the courage, dignity and strength of women who have embraced life in all its endless variety. Pioneers, who have recognised their potential in the public and private realms of society; who have struggled, made sacrifices and both intellectually and critically challenged themselves, conventional norms and strategic governmental policies. They have taken pride in their multiple and changing identities and are committed to positive and peaceful change. Therefore these stories will resonate with women around the world and not just the UK by virtue of the universalism of human values and the innate struggle to better ourselves and society in modern times and for future generations.

It all began as a vision designed to explore the insights and experiences of Muslim women in Bradford. It focused on over a hundred women, from the ages of 14 to 80 of all walks of life – and harnessed media technologies to capture their insights. The aim was to empower women to present themselves in their own words through participatory video, documentary film, audio, oral history/narratives and the internet. A series of inspiring change seminars and conferences was also organised to enable women to engage with issues of importance to them and in turn inspire debate and action. The result is a number of engaging cameos that identify their hopes, aspirations and concerns through their day-to-day activities.