REL E 631 World Religions & Area Analysis Women and Islam REL E 631 World Religions & Area Analysis

Woman and Islam Equal before Allah “Women have been the greatest friend of religions but religion has been the greatest enemy of women” Which Women? Which Islam? Which Context?

Women & Islam Why do women become import “objects” of concern in contemporary Muslim societies. Colonial enterprise aimed at “liberating” and improving the status of oppressed Muslim women. Provided moral justification for imperialism Benazir Bhutta: Former Prime Minister of Pakistan: “Egalitarian Quran vs. anti-feminist interpretations.”

Women & Islam Why do women become import “objects” of concern in contemporary Mulism societies. Colonial enterprise aimed at “liberating” and improving the status of opressed Muslim women. Provided moral justification for imperialism Benazir Bhutta: Former Prime Minister of Pakisitan: “Egalitarian Quran vs. anti-feminist interpretations.” Men use the Quran to suit the needs of those in power. Reactionary Islam has replaced progressive Islam. Sharin Ebadi: Iranian Nobel Prize Winner, 2003 “I am against a patriarchal culture that denies equal rights.”

Women & Islam Some argue that feminism is a western plot to subvert Islam. Many argue that: Islam is a liberating religion. Quran instrumental in liberating women The Quran outlaws: female infanticide Women able to divorce Inherit and manage property Some argue that the Quran support both polygamy and monogamy: Surah 4:3

Women & Islam Contextual Interpretation of the Hijab, “Viel.” Islam as Identity Responses to the imposition of European and American constructions of identity on Muslim societies. How are symbols reconstructed: Beard, Hijab, Veil, headscarf=decorative symbols of Muslim Identity not dictated in the Quran. Jahilliya: (Age of Ignorance) is an Islamic concept of "ignorance of divine guidance" or "the state of ignorance of the guidance from God.

Women & Islam Some have argued that Jahilliya is the imitation of foreign idealogues and philosophies have immersed muslims into jahilliya-this is why Muslims are powerless-need to regain power through the practice of Islam.

Women & Islam Broad statements or generalizations regarding women in Islam really cannot be made.