Rahmah El Yunusiyah: The Woman Who Transformed Girls’ Islamic Education in Indonesia

INSPIRING WOMEN

An Early Question Became a Lifelong Mission

Rahmah El Yunusiyah was born in 1900 in Padang Panjang, Sumatra, into a family known for Islamic scholarship and education. Her father, Muhammad Yunus, was a respected scholar and judge, while her brother Zainuddin founded the Islamic school where Rahmah studied.

From an early age, she recognized that girls needed educational opportunities that addressed their questions and circumstances. She began gathering them in small study circles, believing that educating a girl could strengthen not only her own life, but also her family and wider community.

For Rahmah, educating girls was not merely an individual concern; it was a path toward building a stronger society.

When a Small Study Circle Became a School

On 1 November 1923, at the age of 23, Rahmah founded Diniyyah Puteri in Padang Panjang, establishing a modern Islamic educational institution dedicated to girls.

Its curriculum brought together Islamic studies, Arabic, modern subjects, and practical skills. The aim was not simply to pass on information, but to nurture educated, confident women who could contribute meaningfully to their families and communities.

The Building Collapsed, but the Dream Did Not

In 1924, Rahmah lost her brother Zainuddin, who had supported her project from the beginning. Two years later, a powerful earthquake struck Padang Panjang and destroyed the school building.

Rahmah lost the building, but she did not abandon her mission. Classes continued in temporary structures while she travelled to raise support. A new permanent school building was completed in 1928, allowing its doors to open once again.

The earthquake brought down the walls, but it could not destroy the idea she believed in.

A Mission That Continued to Grow

Over time, Rahmah developed further educational programs for girls, promoted literacy among women, and helped prepare female teachers. She believed communities grow stronger through women who combine knowledge, values, and a sense of responsibility.

Despite colonial pressure and political change, she continued her work. Diniyyah Puteri grew into an influential model for Muslim girls’ education in Indonesia.

From Indonesia to Al-Azhar

The school’s success drew the attention of scholars from Al-Azhar. In the 1950s, a delegation led by Sheikh Abd al-Rahman Taj visited Diniyyah Puteri and observed its approach to educating girls.

In 1957, Rahmah was invited to Egypt, where Al-Azhar awarded her the honorary title of “Shaykhah” in recognition of her educational service. She became the first woman to receive this distinction.

Why Does Her Story Still Inspire Us?

She Passed Away, but the School and Its Impact Remained

Rahmah El Yunusiyah passed away in 1969, but the institution she founded continued its educational mission. More than half a century later, Indonesia honoured her as a National Hero in 2025 for her contribution to women’s education and the nation.

Her story reminds us that a small idea, sustained by faith and determination, can create an impact that reaches from one generation to the next.

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