Quotes table
| Statements about identified entrepreneurial opportunities in makkah and madinah: “Fifteen years ago, when I launched my autism center in madinah, there was a substantial gap in the local market, as no similar facilities existed at that time. People with autism faced notable marginalization, and many families were unwilling to seek help or integrate these individuals into society due to stigma and shame. Driven by islamic principles and my previous experience working with people with autism, I launched the center to address this critical need and provide much-needed assets and inclusion” [G] “In makkah, nurseries traditionally did not highlight language education for young kids. I Recognized this gap and saw an opportunity to present a potent language curriculum in the kindergarten stage. This initiative aligns with islamic teachings, which promote learning multiple languages and cater to social needs, attracting families who value bilingual education. By integrating language learning into our nursery program, we address educational and cultural needs, offering parents a convincing cause to register their kids in our nursery” [AM] ‘'From the beginning of my enterprise journey, I knew it would spark debate. Nevertheless, I considered this an opportunity rather than a challenge, as no one around me had ventured into such a business. While it presented a unique opportunity for growth, it also drew criticism from conservative individuals who viewed it from an islamic perspective.” [AH] |
| Statements about pursuing entrepreneurship for self-fulfillment: “My primary objective is to alleviate stress and achieve self-actualization; coming from a conservative family, my project faced intense resistance due to their belief that our religion prohibits drawing living beings. Nevertheless, I overcame many barriers to follow my passion”[N] “Despite having a prior enterprise that failed because of societal denial and the perception that it did not adhere to Islamic regulations; I did not let this setback stop me. I believed in myself and my abilities, and today, I own one of the most prominent salons in Madinah.”[H] “Although I met criticism from society for redefining the idea of the hijab by introducing it in colors beyond the standard black, I feel very proud and fulfilled by my success. Today, I have set myself as a well-known brand, proving that innovation can appear despite difficulties. ”[RG] “When my youngest son passed away, the pain of his loss was immense. I found comfort in working with children through my nursery to keep his memory and cope with the deep sadness. This has become an influential way to channel my love for him and keep his soul alive. ”[F.SH] |
| Statements about necessity being an entrepreneurial motivation: “After my husband’s death, I was without a job. To address this, I reopened his shop and took an active role in its functions. Culturally, it is expected that I should prioritize looking after my kids. Nevertheless, from an Islamic viewpoint, as a capable person, I am encouraged to depend on myself, work, and earn a living. Islam values self-reliance and supports the purpose of livelihood. Therefore, I did not allow my family’s disapproval of my decision to work to influence me”[IS] “Without a university degree, I struggled to secure employment. So, to generate income, I opened a small bakery shop. Despite not owning a university degree, which led many around me to predict my project’s failure, my faith and confidence in God’s provision of success encouraged me to continue the journey”[IH] “My husband was not adequately responsible for providing for my children and me, leaving me to shoulder the full responsibility for our well-being. As a result, establishing my own business became a necessity rather than a choice. Fortunately, my family helped me, understanding the magnitude of the responsibilities I was managing. ” [F.M] |
| Statements about how Islamic teachings and values support women’s entrepreneurship: “Islam emphasizes self-reliance and empowerment, preventing any concept of weakness or dependence on others. However, my work does not diminish the role of man as a family leader and responsible for the family’s maintenance; instead, the additional income can improve our life’s quality” [SA] “Islam underscores the inherent equality of all individuals before God, irrespective of gender, race, or social standing. This principle enhances women’s self-confidence and motivates them to follow their aspirations. However, the local community considers me primarily a widow and deserving of support.” [IS] “Islam does not restrict women’s financial freedom but allows women to work and contribute actively to society. This view is supported by Islamic teachings that emphasize the importance of women’s participation in economic and social development, as long as it aligns with ethical and moral principles.” [F.M] |
| Statements about operating halal and other enterprises: “I want to ensure that my business sticks to Sharia principles and operates halal” [AM] “The Islamic religion advocates for honesty in one’s work, Halal work and income, punctuality in meeting deadlines, conducting work in an upright manner, protecting the rights of others, and refraining from unjustly inflating prices” [H] “I refused to take any loans from the banks due to the interest, commonly referred to as riba in Arabic, as it is prohibited in Islam. Instead, I convinced my father to lend me the required funds, promising to refund him once the business became profitable. Alternatively, I offered him the chance to become a contributor or partner in the enterprise. ” [IH] |
| Statements about societal and family expectations and balancing these with entrepreneurial aspirations: “After my husband’s passing, I took over his enterprise, leading to resistance from his family and mine. They expected me to stay home and concentrate solely on my traditional role, believing I should not work outside the home, specifically with my children still being young. ” [IS] “I faced fear, not from my husband, but from my parents. My mother was anxious and didn’t want me to overlook my duties as a mother and wife. I also feel some silent resistance towards them, as they expect me to remain home, care for my family, and depend on my husband to provide for our needs. ” [RM] “My aunt was my role model and provided me with tremendous support. In contrast, my mother, a high school principal, was very strict and carried her authoritative approach from school into our home. She strongly resisted the idea of me becoming a businesswoman, as she believed my priority should be staying at home and fulfilling the role of a wife rather than pursuing a business career. ” [RG] “My family supported me while I established my business. However, implicit approval can arrive with unspoken expectations or duties the women entrepreneur may feel obliged to satisfy. These include the expectation to balance family commitments alongside the enterprise, which can lead to burnout or hinder the business’s potential” [IH]. |
| Statements about societal disapproval and seeking external validation and male approval: “While working in my restaurant, I encountered social criticism; although I am committed to Islamic hijab, I alleviated that societal censure by involving my son in the business, I do not want criticism to influence my husband’s support for me” [RM] “When introducing non-traditional Abaya designs, I faced a cultural challenge, deviating from the commonly accepted black. Many believed that hijab-appropriate Abayas should strictly be black. The incorporation of diverse colours and designs garnered substantial criticism. These criticisms arise from cultural and social principles rather than from Islamic concepts” [RG] “The gallery met societal refusal due to the general belief that Islamic principles forbid depicting living beings. To manage this misconception, I posted a clarification at the entrance, highlighting that my painting does not feature living beings but rather concentrates only on nature scenes. My brother played a key role in helping me throughout this process by helping with the work and persuading our family to embrace and support my business. ” [N] |
| Statements about negotiating gender unequal treatment in business and in society: “Some people consider nurseries as simple easy childcare skills, but these facilities provide much more than basic supervision. Despite the extensive services offered, many parents perceive nursery costs as expensive, often underestimating the value of professional childcare by believing it is something any woman can easily operate by nature” [F.SH] “My brother and I are involved in the same business sector. Still, I often receive different pieces of advice from people around me, mainly about my work, which is taking pictures and taking photographs, which are viewed from an Islamic perspective. Despite these external effects, my business has faced challenges and struggles over time before reaching a position of strength comparable to my brother’s.” [SH] |
| Statements about opening businesses in unconventional sectors and how these are perceived: “I have encountered a significant challenge in my business. Individuals in Makkah society criticize me for my involvement in tattooing and eyebrow procedures; I believe that if men were to work in this domain, they would not face the same level of social criticism as women” [AH] “Usually, I go on my own to purchase raw materials at a particular cost. Nevertheless, when my brother accompanies me, I witness that the price tends to decline. Since then, when I go alone, the seller is unwilling to negotiate, but when my brother is with me, they are more open to haggling and offering us a lower price. ” [F.M] “I often face challenges with clients when discussing service fees, as they frequently attempt to negotiate the price. This matter is compounded by the fact that women are usually offered raw materials at various prices than men, ignoring the effort and actual price involved. Such practices not only damage fairness but also contradict Islamic principles, which stress the importance of proper and fair pricing” [L] |
Source(s): Authors’ own work
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