Tayyibah Taylor was not only the founder, publisher and editor-in-chief of the Muslim women’s magazine Azizah, she was a speaker, activist and a great mom.
“She was an amazing woman of action,” said daughter Mariam Abdul-Aziz Brailsford.
Taylor traveled to 37 countries spanning six continents and presented lectures on Islam and Muslim women at national and international conferences, in the midst of raising her five children.
Taylor launched Azizah Magazine in 2000 as the world’s window to the Muslim American woman, the first magazine of its kind, which is based in Atlanta.
“The magazine is a well needed vehicle to provide a voice for Muslim women in America,” said son Yusef Abdul-Aziz.
The thought of a magazine for Muslim women stemmed from Taylor’s childhood. She flipped through magazines as a young girl and never saw an image of herself portrayed in them. She soon realized the impact it could have on women to see themselves and have a voice on the magazine pages.
“It is a voice of Muslim women by Muslim women,” said Brailsford.
Often Taylor would speak to her children and others of her belief in the intellect and reasoning of mankind. She believed there was a lot more in each individual than they give themselves credit for.
“She always said ‘if we can put people on the moon and program complex computers then surely the heads of nations can sit down and figure out ways to get along without violence and war’,” said Brailsford.
Tayyibah Taylor of Atlanta, died Sept. 4 at Emory Saint Joseph’s hospital of cancer. She was 62. A service was held Saturday at the Atlanta Masjid of Al-lslam, 560 Fayetteville Road S.E., Atlanta. Young funeral home was in charge of arrangements.
Taylor was an avid adventure seeker who went skydiving for her 5oth birthday. She also loved to ride horses, go parasailing and enjoy family fun nights on Fridays.
“She understood what life was,” said Abdul-Aziz.
“Through her travels and learning she had a well understanding of how to live your life by helping people and doing good deeds,” he said.
Taylor served on the board of directors of Atlanta Interfaith Broadcasters, the board of trustees for the Georgia Council for International Visitors, Faith Alliance of Metro Atlanta and Women’s Islamic Initiative in Spirituality and Equality. She also was a recipient of the 2010, 2012 and 2013 Folio Eddie award for magazine excellence and a new America Media award.
In addition to her son and daughter, Taylor is survived by daughters Atiaya Taylor-McGhee of Seattle and Saara Abdul-Aziz of Atlanta and son Adam Abdul-Aziz of Vancouver, British Columbia, and five grandchildren.
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