Exemplifying Muslim Mompreneurs in Indonesia

Abstract

This chapter presents the case studies of Pamela Sunardi Syahuri and Nurhayati Subakat: two middle-class Muslim mompreneurs in Indonesia. It examines the traits demonstrated by these prominent Muslim businesswomen, who are looked up to as new role models for mompreneurs. Following this examination, this chapter explores how Islamic study groups and social media interactions disseminate the influence of these role models. We argue that the fluid nature of Islamic authority enables women to present and share the interpretations of ideal womanhood, increasingly referring to Khadijah, the Prophet’s first wife. Indonesian Muslim women are making use of business opportunities to strengthen their roles in family and community. Middle-class Indonesian Muslim women are currently pioneering the phenomenon of Muslim mompreneurs.