Women's Issues

See also:

• Arts: Literature: World Literature: Egyptian: El Saadawi, Nawal  (7)
• Society: Religion and Spirituality: Islam: People: Women  (38)

Female Genital Mutilation/Female Circumcision - - Paper discussing the practice of female genital cutting, questioning its legitimacy in Muslim cultural practice.

Free and Equal under the Qur'an - - Argues that a reformist Islamic view needs to take hold firmly among Muslim jurists, so that egalitarian Qur'anic interpretations replace discriminatory traditionalism.

The II International Congress of Islamic Feminism - - A gathering of Muslim intellectuals working for gender justice and against sexist interpretations of the Sacred Text; information about program, participants, and conclusions. [Barcelona, Spain - 2006.

In Recognition of Women - - Article contrasts the history of women jurists, narrators of Hadith, and poets in Islam, with the position today, where the Muslim community has taken women back to the pre-Islamic era.

Islam and Women - - A collection of profiles and quotations about the position of women in the contemporary world of Islam. Includes links to prominent women.

Islam Rethought - - Online publication of Dr Ausaf Ali's work on gender, sexuality, and marriage in Islam with particular focus on the tensions between traditionalist and modernist views within lived Islam.

Islamic Feminism - - A definition, with links to prominent figures. [Wikipedia.

Islamic Feminism: What's in a Name? - - A paper discussing Islamic feminism; the Qur'an affirms the principle of equality of all human beings, but practice of equality has been impeded by patriarchal ideas and practices.

Islamic Traditions and the Feminist Movement - - Paper by Dr Lois Lamya' al Faruqi looking at Muslim social, psychological, and economic traditions and how feminism is received.

Religious Conservatism and Feminist Theology - - Dr Riffat Hassan explores how theological assumptions have colored the way in which Muslim culture has come to regard women, in contrast to the non-patriarchal egalitarianism in the Qur'an; she argues for a liberation of Muslim women and men.

Social Degradation of Women - a Crime and a Libel on Islam - - An essay by Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall, the English convert to Islam, based on his lecture on "The Relation of the Sexes"; includes an introduction.

Status of Woman in Islam - - A collection of articles on issues around the role and place of women in Muslim belief and practice.

Sunni Sister - - Poetry, essays, and contemplations on modern Islam by an American Muslim woman.

Tafseer of Surah an-Nisa, Ayah 34 - - A translation and commentary on verse 34 of Surah an-Nisa in the Qur'an; perhaps the one most often misunderstood or misused by both Muslims and non-Muslims.

Today's Muslimah - - An online magazine for Muslim women; offers wide-ranging articles and features on health, culture, women's issues, home and garden, and family.

Woman's Status in the Bible and the Qur'an - - A tabled comparison of Biblical and Qur'anic passages concerning women.

Women as Imams - - Article on Wikipedia explores the circumstances in which women may lead a congregation in salat (prayer); includes analysis of teachings, history, and current controversy.

Women in a Quranic Society - - Paper arguing for the implementation of a dual-sex concept of society.

Women in Islam - - Information, articles and links on a variety of topics concerning women in Islam. Also includes a directory of international links.

Women Living Under Muslim Laws - - International solidarity network for women whose lives are shaped by laws and customs said to derive from Islam. Includes news, and information about their campaigns and their publications.

Muslim Women Take Charge of Their Faith - - Profile of the first woman to preside over one of France's 25 regional Islamic councils, and an assessment of changing perceptions of Muslim women's role in Europe. (December 4, 2005)

Female Preachers in Turkey - Challenging Traditional Gender Roles - - An article about the appointment, role and experience of 450 women appointed as vaize/preachers. (August 10, 2005)

Muftias - Women Issuing Fatwas - - Article discussing the recruitment of the first women for training as muftis (Islamic judges) in Turkey. (July 20, 2004)

Islamic Feminism Means Justice to Women - - An interview with historian Prof Margot Badran compares Islamic feminism with secular and Christian feminism. (January 31, 2004)

They Hate Women, Don't They? - - Article exploring secular feminists' view of Muslim women, arguing that demeaning Islam excludes the voices of Islamic women which liberates no one. (June 21, 2002)