Viewpoint Dialogue to Bridge the Gap: The Challenges of Women in Islam

Abstract

It is such a pleasure to be with all of you in this inspirational setting. Special thanks to the President of the Policy Studies Organization, Dr. Paul Rich, and to Professor Mohammed Aman for availing me of this opportunity to dialogue and exchange ideas with all of you on challenges facing women in Arab and Muslim societies and what I describe as the magic touch of the three “E”s of empowerment: Education, Equality, and Economic Enabling. In the early fourth century B.C., the great philosopher Plato concluded that “education could cultivate good qualities in individuals.” In 1798, a scholar known as Condorcet wrote The Progress and the Human Mind, in which he proposed that women should be declared eligible for elections in the growing body of self-governing systems to ensure fair, democratic practice. In the early years of Islam, a female Muslim scholar known as al-Shifa used to teach reading and writing to Muslim men and women. Moreover, Amara BintalRahman was known as the best narrator of Islamic jurisprudence. Following the death of Prophet Muhammad in 632 A.D., she ran a school where she taught men and women about Islamic laws. This should not come as a surprise to any of us, since as early as 610 A.D., when the Qur‘an was revealed to Prophet Muhammad, the first message from the Angel Gabriel to the Prophet was “read,” and when the Prophet asked the Angel how can he read when he was illiterate, the Angel replied that he should read in the name of the Lord wh o...c reates humankind from a clot. The Angel said that the Lord was most generous, taught by the pen, and taught man what he did not know.This was the first revelation that sends a clear message to all believers. It is the miracle of education.In fact,the meaning of the word Qur‘an means “recitation or reading.” If we analyze the Qur‘anic verse, it is clear that reading and writing are the progressive mechanisms to build a civilized community without differentiating between men or women. Both women and men are addressed on equal basis as clearly emphasized: “If any do deeds of righteousness, be male or female, and have faith, they will enter heaven, and no injustice will be done to them” (Qur‘an 4:124). Hence, it was not a surprise that in early Islam, women were active political participants in casting their votes, known as bai‘ah as clearly mentioned in the Qur‘an