About Lady Evelyn
Who is Lady Evelyn?
Lady Evelyn Cobbold (d. 1963) was the first British Muslim woman to make the pilgrimage to Mecca, known as the Hajj, in 1933. Born in 1867, Lady Evelyn was a Scottish noblewoman and a convert to Islam. She spent the winters of her childhood in Algiers, often escaping the Moorish Villa to visit Mosques. She also learned to speak Arabic. She took the name Zaynab and “came out” as a Muslim in front of the Pope when he asked if she was a Catholic.
Her conversion to Islam may not seem extraordinary to many, but it was often difficult for members of the aristocracy, as it meant they had to forego drinking alcohol, something that would have been socially alienating, to say the least. She had to seek special dispensation to perform the Ḥajj, announcing her intention to Saudi Arabia’s minister in London, Hafiz Wahba, who wrote to King ‘Abd al-‘Aziz in Riyadh requesting formal permission.
She was buried in accordance with the principles of Islam on a distant hillside on her estate at Glencarron, Wester Ross, in the Highlands of Scotland, on a bitter day in January 1963. One should not underestimate the importance of Lady Evelyn doing the journey, being the first British-born woman to perform Hajj, and, of course, the book she wrote about her journey.
What is Lady Evelyn American School?
Lady Evelyn American School is a complete, Islamic online private American K-12 school. We are part of a group of schools, including both American and British divisions, each offering students access to a world-class curriculum. Here, in the American school, we serve students across Elementary, Middle, and High School. In the British school, we offer Primary, Secondary, and Sixth Form.
Students learn from the comfort of their homes, anywhere in the world, using their own computers with a headset and microphone to engage directly with teachers and classmates in real-time, interactive lessons. Our classes are taught live by expert teachers who are passionate about their subjects and dedicated to helping every student reach their fullest potential. Lady Evelyn American School was founded out of a need for a truly exceptional online American school – one that delivers not only academic excellence but also strong moral and spiritual values.
The story behind our new chapter is deeply personal and rooted in purpose. After the sudden and tragic passing of Abdul Hakeem Rashad, the beloved founder of Gateway Visionary Academy (GVA), co-founder, Raiyanah Abdul-Karim reached out to us. She wanted to ensure that the students of GVA could continue receiving a high-quality American education within an Islamic ethos – an education that would carry forward the vision Abdul Hakeem so passionately built.
In response, Lady Evelyn American School stepped forward as a separate school, continuing his legacy. The lessons we teach, the values we uphold, and the students we nurture all reflect our commitment to honoring his life’s mission. His belief in combining Iman, integrity, and academic excellence continues to guide our mission each day.
Grounded in Islamic values and inspired by a world-class American education, Lady Evelyn American School stands at the intersection of tradition and innovation. We embrace the future of live online learning while remaining anchored in timeless moral principles. We welcome students from all backgrounds, nationalities, and faiths – wherever they may be in the world. Our goal is to provide an outstanding education that benefits students academically, as well as in life. Both in this world and the next.
Our sister school, Lady Evelyn Independent School (British curriculum), offers the English National curriculum online and was founded upon the same vision – uniting world-class academics with moral and spiritual grounding.
A world-class American school in your home.
In our British School, we follow the esteemed English National Curriculum from Primary through to Secondary and Sixth Form, including GCSEs and A-Levels.
Here, in our American School, we follow the American Curriculum from Elementary through to Middle and High School, where students can graduate with a fully accredited American High School Diploma, recognized by universities worldwide.