Social Media
12 Arab Women Dominating Instagram In 2024
From inspiring fashionistas, to motivating fitness enthusiasts, these are the 12 female Arab influencers that are taking over Instagram.
Social media has become integrated into our everyday lives to an ever greater extent than traditional media like TV, radio, and print was for our parents and grandparents. Following the lives and careers of people we admire, reading their posts and stories to inspire you to become the best possible version of yourself is a daily occurrence for many.
Instagram and other social media platforms like TikTok and Twitter have a significant influence on social trends and influences what we buy, how we dress, where we vacation, and many other aspects of our lives. In the past, we were influenced by celebrities in movies, TV shows, and advertising. Today there is a new generation of social media influencers that impact us through the use of Instagram and other social media. Instagram influencers, for example, come from various walks of life with different interests, backgrounds, and jobs and share content that reflects their lifestyles and the products and services they use.
They know what they like, why they like it and share their experiences with the world. Let’s take a look at 12 Arab women who are dominating Instagram in 2024.
#1 – Renee Farah
Renee Farah is a Lebanese TV presenter based in Dubai. She started her career as a TV anchor presenting several shows on major networks like Rotana, and Abu Dhabi TV. Being in the media industry, it didn’t take long for Renee to become an instant social media sensation.
She has accumulated well over a million followers through Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat, and shares daily doses of fashion and beauty tips in addition to fun and entertaining videos.
Renee is well known on social media for her engaging makeup and skincare tutorials, and never misses the chance to share her passion for the latest fashion trends with her community.
Followers: 1.4M
Instagram: @ReneeFF
#2 – Deema Al Asadi
Say hello to Deema Al Asadi, one the of the Middle East’s top lifestyle and fashion bloggers. Born in Iraq and based in Dubai, she originally majored in dentistry before becoming an Instagram star.
According to Deema, the transition happened purely by chance. “I started posting my outfits because I love inspiring others, then I realized people wanted to know more. So, I began giving style tips.” Deema says. Known for her incredible personality, super chic wardrobe, and amazing looks, she is also a new mother who shares her journey on motherhood with her followers.
Deema takes her role as a social media influencer very seriously, emphasizing that “We have to be careful in our choices and honest with our reviews”.
Followers: 1.1M
Instagram: @DeemaAlAsadi
#3 – Tamara Jamal
Tamara Jamal is a Lebanese social media personality and TV presenter who was born and raised in the United Arab Emirates. She has attracted hundreds of thousands of women from the GCC and all across the Middle East through her love for beauty, fashion, traveling, and obviously TV presenting.
Having earned a solid name in the fashion and beauty community, Tamara is currently the face in International fashion weeks in London, Paris, and Milan. She has previously secured projects with brands like Bulgari, Rolls Royce, Huawei, Sephora, and BMW to name a few. She is also a brand ambassador working closely with the Dubai Tourism Authority on key retail events happening in the city.
Her presence in the region has grabbed the attention of major media publications such as Vogue Arabia, Grazia Middle East, Cosmopolitan, and Sayidaty. Tamara is currently working on launching her very first brand in Dubai, taking her into the rewarding world of entrepreneurship.
Followers: 752K
Instagram: @Tamara.Jamal
#4 – Salama Mohamed
If you’ve heard of Khalid Al Ameri, famous for his videos of motivation and positivity, then you most certainly know his wife, Salama Mohamed. Salama is a well reputable Emirati entrepreneur that leads by example and is an inspiration to many young Arab women.
From a young age, Salama succeeded not only in starting a family, but also in establishing several successful businesses, among which her very own fine pearls jewelry line. Being a mother of two didn’t stop this aspiring young Emirati from pursuing her personal dreams, and for years she has empowered women through sharing her true personality, struggles, and teaching them that they can be perfect in every way.
Salama continuously spreads positivity and smiles through her Instagram posts and doesn’t shy away from sharing her life with her beautiful family with her followers.
Followers: 1.5M
Instagram: @SalamaMohamed
#5 – Fatma Husam
Fatma Husam is a 29-year-old, Dubai-born modest fashion influencer. She holds a BBA in Aviation Management and started her journey with modest clothing at a time when it was yet to be in style.
Fatma proudly took part in spreading this “less cool” regional way of dressing, to what is now a global industry worth hundreds of billions of dollars. She aims to continue supporting this growth and make it the “cooler” way of dressing. Her career inspired the inauguration of her own jewelry brand, MAS Jewels.
Always seeking to support local businesses, she strongly believes in women empowerment and the ability for women to inspire change throughout the world.
Followers: 795K
Instagram: @Fatmaa
#6 – Mayada Sleiman
Mayada Sleiman is Instagram’s Lebanese sweetheart. Her approachable personality and genuine character shine through every post and story, granting her a very loyal fan base from all over the Arab world. She’s also the representation of the modern mother, being a young mother of two beautiful boys herself.
Mayada loves inspiring other women into revealing their own true self and encouraging them to never shy away from their true identity. In her own words, Mayada says “Love yourself the way you are, believe in yourself, follow your dreams no matter how big or small they might be, and if you fail try again and again even if no one believes in you”.
Mayada also loves to experiment with the newest beauty and fashion trends, but is always keen on showing her own personal taste: “In fashion, make sure to check out all available trends and styles but always choose what suits you and what flatters your body and reflects your personality”.
Followers: 489K
Instagram: @MayadaSleiman
#7 – Paola El Sitt
Paola El Sitt, professionally known as Mlle Paola, is a Lebanese digital influencer, as well as a fashion and beauty entrepreneur. With a dual degree in Mass Communication, and Advertising & Marketing, Paola managed to establish a solid career in the fashion industry.
Her entrepreneurial journey began in 2016, when she launched her online platform “MllePaola.com” which serves as a hub for local and international fashion and beauty brands. She even launched her own fragrance in 2018 called “MP by Mlle Paola” which gained immediate regional traction. Paola has appeared on the red carpet for countless events, and has worked with brands like Maybelline, Piaget, L’Oreal, and NYX to name a few.
With the current economic difficulties facing Lebanon, Paola recently relocated to Dubai in hopes to “reinvent her vision”. Her Instagram feed is rich in motivation, fashion advice, and inspiration for women.
Followers: 852K
Instagram: @Paola.ElSitt
#8 – Noor Odeh
Originally Palestinian, Noor Odeh is an online fashion influencer that was born and raised in Abu Dhabi. In an exclusive conversation with Tech Magazine, Noor says “Fashion and beauty have always been a passion of mine. Six years ago, I started posting my daily looks on my private Instagram account for fun. After a while, a brand contacted me to work with them and requested my account to be on public to proceed. I agreed and little did I know, I was going to make a career out of it. The best part about it is that I absolutely love what I do”.
Noor recently gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, Eliana, and has been sharing all sorts of topics related to motherhood with her community. During quarantine, she’s been sharing her love for cooking and baking by posting delicious recipes and mouth-watering dishes.
Noor’s account is filled with valuable content ranging from fashion and beauty, to lifestyle and motherhood.
Followers: 521K
Instagram: @Noor.Odehh
#9 – Mais Mustafa
Based in Dubai, Mais Mustafa is an Iraqi wife, mother, and social media influencer. The 34-year-old computer engineer decided to quit her job and join the world of social media. To her luck, she managed to succeed in doing so!
She enjoys making content for her community with a primary focus on lifestyle, but also finds the time to create posts related to fashion, makeup, motherhood, and even cooking. In her own words, Mais tells us “The world of social media is not as easy as it looks, it goes through ups and downs and there is a lot of competition nowadays. The most important thing for is to always be yourself and don’t try too hard, let it come naturally”.
Followers: 362K
Instagram: @Mais.Mustafa
#10 – Rita Dahdah Fawaz
Rita Dahdah is a Lebanese fashion and lifestyle influencer residing between Beirut and Doha. She started her first blog in 2010, sharing her take on social satire, relationship advice, personal experiences, individuality, and feminism. In parallel, she wrote fashion and lifestyle columns and articles for various online and print magazines and her style has been featured in several of the region’s leading magazines and TV networks.
Already a marketing major, she followed her life-long love for fashion and attended a fashion styling program at FIT NYC in 2013, then began expanding her reach on Instagram in the same year. She strives to encourage individuality, spread positivity, share her travels, thoughts, and her take on style, empower women, as well as promote talented, up and coming designers. Rita currently collaborates with international and local brands, people, and organizations she believes in and are related to her lifestyle and brand and is in the process of launching her new vlog.
A first-time mother, Rita also supports humanitarian causes and NGOs like UNICEF, especially those related to children. In addition, Rita has given seminars and workshops about influencer marketing in both Beirut and Cairo, and collaboratively designed her own scarf in 2016, and jewelry capsule collection in 2019.
Followers: 211K
Instagram: @Riri_Dada
#11 – Mia Hashem
Mia Hashem is a Lebanese certified personal trainer based in Beirut and has an Instagram account that will leave you nothing but motivated. The 26-year-old has a passion for fitness and has been promoting the latest in sportswear fashion for the past three years.
Mia likes to consider herself a globetrotter, traveling all over the world, seeing new places, meeting new faces, and trying out exquisite foods. Seeing that most of the world is under quarantine, Mia has been giving one-on-one training sessions to clients virtually via online platforms and video calls. She says that a lot of people are finding this helpful, including herself.
In a word with Tech Magazine, Mia said “We are passing through a hard time that will test our patience, creating the best version of ourselves by testing our limits. We must follow the CDC guidelines, remain hopeful, and this too shall pass. Phone your loved ones, your friends, hug your pets, spring clean your homes, and remain positive! Remember to exercise and eat healthy, it is extremely essential to get this into your daily routine as it will help your body and soul”.
Followers: 100K
Instagram: @MiaHashem
#12 – Clara Abou Nassar
Clara Abou Nassar is an upcoming Instagram sensation. The 25-year-old Lebanese/Canadian is a licensed dietitian, a certified personal trainer, and will stop at nothing to get you in shape.
Her fitness journey began three years ago when she first joined the gym, and started using social media to share nutritional tips, workout ideas and promoting gym looks and sportswear. “My goal is to retain my feminine looks, to be toned and lean, and help others achieve their health goals as well” Clara says. She has even created a 12-week beginner’s workout program called “my booty and body toning program” that comes with a detailed diet plan tailored in a way that suits all body types for women.
In the future, Clara plans on opening her own diet kitchen for healthy catering, and to launch her own website filled with workout plans as well as diet plans. She adds “This way I will be able to help more people achieve their goal and I’ll always remind them that everyone is able to reach their fitness goals, all you need is motivation to stick to the right plan”.
Followers: 142K
Instagram: @ClaraAbouNassar
Also Read: How To Find & Cancel Pending Instagram Requests
If you are not currently following these Arab women on Instagram, you probably should be. Sharing their experiences, background, passion, projects, and more not only gives you a peek into their everyday lives but might just inspire you to be the best version of yourself. These inspiring Arab women reveal their true selves and encourage others to pursue their hopes and dreams. As Mayada Sleiman says, “Love yourself the way you are, believe in yourself, follow your dreams no matter how big or small they might be”.
Social Media
How To Find & Cancel Pending Instagram Requests
This step-by-step guide will show you how to find and cancel all those pending Instagram requests that people have ignored.
Accidentally sending a follow request to the wrong person on Instagram can be a potentially embarrassing mistake. As these mistakes rack up over time, you could eventually find yourself with dozens of unapproved follow requests. The good news is that Instagram allows you to cancel pending follow requests as long as you meet one obvious condition: The person you’ve sent the request to has not accepted or declined it yet.
How To Find Pending Instagram Requests
Unfortunately, the Instagram app (or the website) doesn’t offer a direct way to view pending follow requests. That said, users have two alternative options: a quick but potentially unreliable method, and a more comprehensive but time-consuming approach.
The quick method involves checking your search history for recently requested profiles:
- Tap the magnifying glass icon at the bottom of the Instagram app.
- Tap the search bar at the top.
- Tap See all to view your search history.
- Look for profiles with a Requested button.
This method is fast but limited. It only shows recent searches and won’t work if you’ve cleared your search history. The good news is that there’s also a clever workaround that lets you dig up all your pending follow requests by downloading your Instagram data. Here’s what you need to do:
Step 1: Access Your Instagram Account Center
Start by opening the Instagram app on your mobile device and navigating to your profile by tapping your profile picture icon at the bottom right corner. Once you’re on your profile page, tap the three horizontal lines at the top right to open the menu. From there, select Account Center at the top of the list. Within the Account Center menu, navigate to the Your information and permissions section. There, select Download your information.
Step 2: Request A Download Of Your Information
The Download your information feature allows you to request a copy of all the data Instagram has collected about your account. Don’t worry — this is a standard feature designed to give users control over their own data. Tap the Download or transfer information button. When asked how much information you want to download, select the Some of your information option. In the list that appears, find the Connections section and check the box next to Followers and following. This way, you’ll receive only relevant data.
Step 3: Set A Date Range And Submit Your Request
After selecting the data type, tap Next and choose to download the data to your device. You’ll have the option to set a Date range. If you want to see all pending requests since you joined Instagram, choose All time. Otherwise, select a specific time frame that suits your needs. Once you’ve made your selection, tap on Create files. Instagram will begin compiling your data.
Step 4: Wait For The Download Link
Instagram will process your request and send a download link to your registered email address. This might take anywhere from a few minutes to up to 48 hours, depending on the amount of data. Keep an eye on your inbox for an email titled “Your Instagram information“. Once it arrives, click on the Download information link provided in the email. You can do this on your mobile device.
Step 5: Extract Your Instagram Data
Your Instagram data will be downloaded as a ZIP file, and you need to use a file manager or extraction tool to extract its contents. You can now open the extracted folder using a File Manager (the Files app on iOS works nicely), look for a file named “start_here.html” and open it in your web browser. Find and click on Pending follow requests, and voilà! You’re now looking at a comprehensive list of all the follow requests you’ve sent that are still in limbo.
How To Cancel Sent Instagram Requests
Now that you’ve unearthed your pending follow requests, it’s time to clean house. Unfortunately, Instagram doesn’t offer a one-click solution to cancel all your pending requests at once, so expect the process to take a while, especially if you’ve sent a lot of follow requests.
Step 1: Locate User Profiles
For each pending request you want to cancel in the Pending follow requests section of the “start_here.html”, you’ll need to locate the user’s profile on Instagram. The quickest way to do this is by copying the username from your downloaded list and pasting it into the Instagram search bar. Once you’ve found the account, tap to enter their profile.
Step 2: Cancel The Follow Request
Look for the Requested button on their profile. This button is your target. When you tap it, it should immediately transform back into a blue Follow button. This visual change confirms that you’ve successfully cancelled your follow request.
Step 3: Repeat The Process
Now, rinse and repeat this process for each pending request you want to cancel. As you go through this process, you might find some accounts you still want to follow. In that case, simply leave the Requested button as is. Who knows? They might accept your request someday.
Also Read: How To Permanently Delete Your Instagram Account
As you can see, finding and cancelling Instagram follow requests isn’t complicated – you just need to know where to look. If you found this guide useful, let us know in the comments below. Also, make sure to follow us on Instagram!
Rima Kassis
August 29, 2020 at 12:19 PM
I follow most of these ladies and I can confirm they are beautiful and incredible people who are definitely worth following on Instagram! 😊