Worldwide Guide to Women in Leadership
Heads of State of
Yemen/Al-Jamhuria Al-Yeman Yemen was part of the Osman Empire 1872-1918 when it became an
independent Monarchy, 1962 it became a republic and in 1967 the North and South
was divided into two states who fought a civil war until the reunification in
1990
Also see Yemen Ministers
B.C. circa 950 Queen Bilkis
of Sabha
Until 1074/87 Co-Ruler
Sultana Asma
She was married to Sultan Ali al-Sulahi, who entrusted much of the management of the realm to her. But it is still not clear if she died in 1074 or 1087.
1064-1137 Regent Dowager Sultana Saiyida Hurra Arwa bint Ahmad as-Sulayhi of Tihama (Arabia) Her first husband, Ahmad, became the de jure ruler of Yemen in 1067, but he was unable to rule being paralyzed and bedridden. He gave all of his power to her. She had her name mentioned in the khutba directly after the name of the Fatamid Caliph, Ma'ad al-Mustansir bi'l-Lāh, signifying her authority to rule. One of her first actions was to move the capital from Sana'a to Jibla in order to be in a better position to destroy the Najahid ruler Sa'id ibn Najar of Zabid and thus avenge her father-in-law's death. This she managed to do by luring him into a trap in 1088. She built a new palace at Jibla, and transformed the old palace into a great mosque where she was eventually buried. s given the highest rank in the Yemen da'wa, that of hujja, by Imām Al-Mustansir bi'l-Lāh in 1084. This was the first time that a woman had ever been given such a status in the whole history of Islam. After the death of Ahmad AlMukarram, she was encouraged by Imām Al-Mustansir bi'l-Lāh to marry her late husband's cousin, Saba ibn Ahmad. This she did reluctantly in 1091 in order to remain in power, but she probably did not allow the marriage to be consummated. She continued to rule Yemen until Saba died in 1101. From that time on she ruled alone. She played a cruisial role in the contemporary fights between different directions of Islam and was the first woman to be accorded the prestigious title of hujja in Ismāʿīlī branch of Shi'a Islam, signifying her as the closest living image of God's will in her lifetime. She is popularly referred to as Sayyida Hurra She was succeeded by Sultan al-Mansur bin al Mugaddal. She lived (circa 1048-1138)
Before 1360 Regent Al Udar al-Karimah Shihaab ad Din Salaah of
Yemen
In charge of the government during the absence of her son, Sultan Sayf
al-Islam al-Mujahid ‘Ali ibn al-Mu‘ayyad Hizbir al-Din Da’ud, who reigned
1322-63, on warfare in Egypt (at a time not known to me). During her reign she
built schools and mosques, established both internal security, justice and
administrative order. Is also said to have gone secretly from house to house of the
poor, seeking to learn their needs and giving them generous gifts. The
translation of her title is Vice-Regent, Lordly Lady of Piety,
Goodness, Sharp Intelligence, Decisive Resolve, Calm Forbearance, and Supreme
Political Acumen Patroness of Scholars and Upright Men of Religious Piety
Champion of the Poor and Needy, and she (d. 1360).