Silma Ihram | |
---|---|
Born |
Anne Frances Beaumont 1954 Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
Residence | Lidcombe, New South Wales, Australia |
Nationality | Australian |
Education |
Meriden School Presbyterian Ladies' College, Sydney James Cook University University of Sydney University of New South Wales University of Western Sydney |
Occupation | Principal, education consultant |
Employer | Australian International Academy |
Known for | Pioneer of Muslim education, School founder & Principal, Campaigner for racial tolerance, Political candidate |
Term | 1983–2006 |
Political party |
Unity Party (2002) Australian Democrats (2007) |
Board member of | Muslim Women's National Network Australia |
Spouse(s) | Siddiq Buckley Baheej Adada |
Children | 6 |
Website | www.silmapol.blogspot.com |
Silma Ihram (born Anne Frances Beaumont; c. 1954) is an Australian pioneer of Muslim education in the West, founder and former school Principal of the 'Noor Al Houda Islamic College' in Sydney, and a campaigner for racial tolerance.
She was also the Australian Democrats candidate for the seat of Auburn in the 2007 state election, and the Democrats candidate for the Division of Reid in the 2007 federal election.
Ihram is the author of two books, the producer of an educational video in Arabic, and the subject of the documentary, Silma's School. She has been described as "Erin Brockovich in a hijab".
Silma Ihram was born Anne Frances Beaumont, to a middle-class agnostic family, and grew up in the suburb of Balgowlah, on Sydney's Northern Beaches. At the age of five, Ihram was sent to boarding school at Meriden, an Anglican school in Strathfield for her primary education, and the Presbyterian Ladies' College in Croydon for high school, completing her matriculation in 1971. She then completed a Bachelor's degree in Marine Biology at James Cook University.