Islamic feminism 2107559 224367630 2008-07-08T15:23:09Z VolkovBot 3035831 robot Adding: [[zh:伊斯蘭女性主義]] [[Image:Islamic Feminism Symbol.svg|right|thumb|180px|A symbol of Islamic feminism, incorporating a [[crescent moon]] and star into the [[Gender symbol|female symbol]]]] '''Islamic feminism''' is a form of [[feminism]] concerned with the role of [[Women and Islam|women in Islam]]. It aims for the full equality of all [[Muslims]], regardless of sex or gender, in public and private life. Islamic feminists advocate [[women's rights]], [[gender equality]], and [[social justice]] grounded in an Islamic framework. Although rooted in [[Islam]], the movement's pioneers have also utilised secular and European or non-Muslim feminist discourses and recognise the role of Islamic feminism as part of an integrated global feminist movement<ref>[http://www.feminismeislamic.org/eng/index.htm II International Congress on Islamic Feminism<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>. Advocates of the movement seek to highlight the deeply rooted teachings of equality in the [[Quran]] and encourage a questioning of the [[patriarchal]] interpretation of [[Islamic]] teaching through the Quran (holy book), ''[[hadith]]'' (sayings of [[Muhammad]]) and ''[[sharia]]'' (law) towards the creation of a more equal and just society.<ref>[http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2002/569/cu1.htm Al-Ahram Weekly | Culture | Islamic feminism: what's in a name?<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> In general, it can be categorised as one of the more [[liberal movements within Islam]]. ==History and rise of Islamic feminism== ===Early reforms under Islam=== {{see|Early reforms under Islam|Islamic ethics|Sharia}} During the [[early reforms under Islam]] in the 7th century, reforms in [[women's rights]] affected [[marriage]], [[divorce]] and [[inheritance]].<ref name="Espos">Esposito (2005) p. 79 </ref> Women were not accorded with such legal status in other cultures, including the West, until centuries later.<ref>Jones, Lindsay. p.6224</ref> However Islam has taken steps back in centuries to come.''The Oxford Dictionary of Islam'' states that the general improvement of the status of Arab women included prohibition of [[female infanticide]] and recognizing women's full personhood.<ref name="OxfordDicT">Esposito (2004), p. 339</ref> "The [[dowry]], previously regarded as a bride-price paid to the father, became a nuptial gift retained by the wife as part of her personal property."<ref name="majid">Khadduri (1978)</ref><ref name="Espos"/> Under Islamic law, marriage was no longer viewed as a "status" but rather as a "[[contract]]", in which the woman's consent was imperative.<ref name="majid"/><ref name="Espos"/><ref name="OxfordDicT"/> "Women were given inheritance rights in a [[patriarchal society]] that had previously restricted inheritance to male relatives."<ref name="Espos"/> [[Annemarie Schimmel]] states that "compared to the pre-Islamic position of women, Islamic legislation meant an enormous progress; the woman has the right, at least according to the letter of the law, to administer the wealth she has brought into the family or has earned by her own work."<ref name = "Schimmel">Schimmel (1992) p.65</ref> [[William Montgomery Watt]] states that Muhammad, in the historical context of his time, can be seen as a figure who testified on behalf of [[women’s rights]] and improved things considerably. Watt explains: "At the time Islam began, the conditions of women were terrible - they had no [[Property|right to own property]], were supposed to be the property of the man, and if the man died everything went to his sons." Muhammad, however, by "instituting rights of property ownership, inheritance, education and divorce, gave women certain basic safeguards."<ref> Maan, McIntosh (1999)</ref> Haddad and [[John Esposito|Esposito]] state that "Muhammad granted women rights and privileges in the sphere of [[Family|family life]], marriage, education, and economic endeavors, rights that help improve women's status in society."<ref>Haddad, Esposito (1998) p.163 </ref> In terms of [[women's rights]], women generally had fewer legal restrictions under [[Sharia|Islamic law]] than they did under certain Western legal systems until the 20th century. For example, under traditional interpretations of sharia, women had the right to keep their surnames upon marriage; inherit and bestow inheritance; independently manage their financial affairs; and contract marriages and divorce. In contrast, restrictions on the legal capacity of married women under [[French law]] were not removed until 1965.<ref name=Badr-1984>{{citation|title=Islamic Criminal Justice|first=Gamal M.|last=Badr|journal=The American Journal of Comparative Law|volume=32|issue=1|date=Winter 1984|pages=167-169 [167-8]}}</ref> ===Medieval period=== Whilst in the pre-modern period there was not a formal feminist movement, nevertheless there were a number of important figures who argued for improving women's rights and autonomy. These range from the medieval mystic and philospher [[Ibn Arabi]], who argued that women could achieve spiritual stations as equally high as men <ref name=Hakim-2002>{{citation|title=Ibn 'Arabî's Twofold Perception of Woman: Woman as Human Being and Cosmic Principle|first=Souad|last=Hakim|journal=Journal of the Muhyiddin Ibn 'Arabi Society|volume=31|date=2002|pages=1-29}}</ref> to [[Nana Asma’u]], daughter of eighteenth-century reformer [[Usman Dan Fodio]], who pushed for literacy and education of Muslim women.<ref name=Mack-2000>{{citation|title=One Woman's Jihad: Nana Asma'u, Scholar and Scribe|first=Beverly B.|last=Mack|coauthors=Jean Boyd|location=USA|publisher=Indiana University Press|date=2000}}</ref> ===Nineteenth century=== The modern movement of Islamic feminism began in the late nineteenth century. Egyptian jurist [[Qasim Amin]], the author of the 1899 pioneering book ''Women's Liberation'' (''Tahrir al-Mar'a''), is often described as the father of the Egyptian feminist movement. In his work, Amin criticized some of the practices prevalent in his society at the time, such as [[Polygyny in Islam|polygyny]], [[Islam and clothing|the veil]], and ''[[purdah]]'', i.e. [[sex segregation in Islam]]. He condemned them as un-Islamic and contradictory to the true spirit of Islam. His work had an enormous influence on women's political movements throughout the Islamic and [[Arab world]], and is read and cited today. Less known, however, are the women who preceded Amin in their feminist critique of their societies. The women's press in Egypt started voicing such concerns since its very first issues in 1892. Egyptian, Turkish, Iranian, Syrian and Lebanese women and men had been reading European feminist magazines even a decade earlier, and discussed their relevance to the [[Middle East]] in the general press.<ref>see "Great Ancestors: Women Asserting Rights in Muslim Contexts," by Farida Shaheed with Aisha L.F. Shaheed (London/Lahore: WLUML/Shirkat Gah, 2005) [http://www.wluml.org/english/pubsfulltxt.shtml?%5B87%5D=i-87-186208]</ref> ===Definitions=== Islamic feminism is defined by [[Islamic scholars]] as being more radical than secular [[feminism]],<ref>[http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2002/569/cu1.htm "Islamic feminism: what's in a name?"] by Margot Badran, ''Al-Ahram'', January 17&ndash;23, 2002</ref> and as being anchored within the [[discourse]] of Islam with the [[Qur'an]] as its central text.<ref>[http://www.wilsoncenter.org/index.cfm?topic_id=1426&fuseaction=topics.event_summary&event_id=42775 "Exploring Islamic Feminism"] by Margot Badran, Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding, Georgetown University, November 30, 2000</ref> In recent times the concept of Islamic feminism has grown further, with Islamic groups looking to garner support from as many aspects of society as possible, and educated Muslim women striving to articulate their role in society.<ref>Humphreys, R. Stephen: "Between Memory and Desire - The Middle East in a Troubled Age", ''University of California Press'', 2005</ref> The history and potential success of such a movement is debatable but looking back through the Qur'an there has always been a degree of respect afforded to women with the Qur'an stressing the importance of men, but also women's rights to honorable treatment. However, such freedoms as property rights and the respect from men are often sidelined, with little recourse being available for those that wish to protest. It has been, however, mainly upper-middle-class women that have been able to vocalise the Islamic feminist movement, as they have the economic security to violate widely held beliefs. ===Muslim feminism=== Another side to modern Islamic feminism is the activism of Muslim women born and brought up within Western societies. Often those born to immigrant families face [[racism]] from the host community and [[sexism]] within their own communities. Young Muslim women in France fought back against the issues facing them, ranging from endemic [[sexual violence]] to the forced wearing of the [[hijab]], by creating [[Ni Putes Ni Soumises]] (usually translated "Neither Whores Nor Submissives"). This movement has spread to other countries. ===Borrowings from secular feminism=== The rise of feminism in the [[Islamic world]] has also been linked to the rise of western influence, with a political and economic attempt to align with western powers and markets promoting Western ideas such as [[universal suffrage]], [[human rights]] and access to education. ==Muslim Personal Law and Islamic feminism== {{Citations missing|date=July 2007}} {{see also|Sharia}} {{Feminism}} One of the major areas of scholarship and campaigning for Islamic feminists in various parts of the world is Muslim Personal Law (also known as Muslim Family Law). MPL includes three main areas of law: marriage, divorce, and testation. Muslim majority countries that have promulgated some form of MPL include [[Saudi Arabia]], [[Afghanistan]], [[Pakistan]], [[Libya]], [[Sudan]], [[Senegal]], [[Tunisia]], [[Egypt]], [[Indonesia]], and [[Bangladesh]]. Muslim minority countries that already have operating MPL regimes or are considering passing legislation on aspects of MPL include [[India]] and [[South Africa]]. In general, Islamic feminists have objected to the MPL legislation in many of these countries, arguing that these pieces of legislation discriminate against women. Some Islamic feminists have taken the attitude that a reformed MPL which is based on the [[Qur'an]] and [[Sunnah]], which includes substantial input from Muslim women and which does not discriminate against women is possible. Such Islamic feminists have been working on developing such women-friendly forms of MPL. (See, for example, [http://www.ccmw.com/GTAForum/index.htm Canadian Council of Muslim Women] for argument based on the Quran and not on what they call medieval male consensus.) Other Islamic feminists, particularly some in Muslim minority contexts which are democratic states, argue that MPL should not be reformed but should be rejected and that Muslim women should seek redress, instead, from the civil laws of those states. <!--this paragraph needs to cite sources and name the women or groups, instead of "some Islamic feminists."--> For most Islamic feminists, some of the thorny issues regarding the way in which MPL has thus far been formulated include: [[polygyny]], divorce, custody of children, maintenance and marital property. In addition, there are also more macro issues regarding the underlying assumptions of such legislation, for example, the assumption of the man as head of the household. ==Sexuality== {{see also|Islamic sexual jurisprudence}} Despite the taboo status of sex and [[human sexuality|sexuality]] in many Muslim societies, some [[ulema|Quranic scholars]] have argued that the Quran itself discusses these subjects openly and positively, and Islam is one of the most sexually accepting of the major world religions.<ref name="safra">[http://www.safraproject.org/sgi-womenssexualtiyinislam.htm SAFRA Project Essay on Islam and Sexuality]</ref> .<ref>See the works of Asra Nomani for more details</ref> There is debate over the interpretations of the Quranic verses that have been cited to outlaw [[homosexuality]], principally the verse relating to the story of [[Islamic view of Lot|Lot]] (see Qur'an verses: 11:69-83, 29:28-35). Quranic verses appear to relate specifically to male homosexuality. Contemporary interpreters and campaigning organisations are working to reinterpret texts to allow for a wider spectrum of sexual relationships, including homosexual and [[bisexual]] but there is much resistance from the mainstream Muslim community.<ref name="safra" /> ==Dress codes== {{See also|Sartorial hijab|Islam and clothing}} {{Citations missing|date=July 2007}} Another issue that concerns Muslim women is the [[dress code]] expected of them. In some cultures such as [[Afghanistan]] and [[Saudi Arabia]] they are expected to wear the all-covering ''[[burqa]]'' or ''[[abaya]]''; in others, such as [[Tunisia]] and [[Turkey]] they are forbidden to wear even the [[headscarf]] (often known as the ''[[hijab]]'') in public buildings. Muslim feminists resist both extremes of externally imposed control. The [[burqini]] is a swimsuit for women that covers the whole body except the face, the hands and the feet. ==Islamic feminists, Muslim feminists and Islamists== There are subtle yet substantial differences to be noted between the terms 'Islamic feminist', 'Muslim feminist' and those regarded as '[[Islamists]]'. Islamic feminists ground their arguments in Islam and its teachings<ref>[http://www.milligazette.com/Archives/2004/16-31Jan04-Print-Edition/1631200425.htm ‘Islamic feminism means justice to women’, The Milli Gazette, Vol.5 No.02, MG96 (16-31 Jan 04)<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>, seek the full equality of women and men in the personal and public sphere and can include non-Muslims in the discourse and debate. Differently, Muslim feminists are people who consider themselves Muslims and feminist but who may use arguments outside Islam, for example, national secular law or international [[human rights]] agreements, to counter gender inequality. Islamists are advocates of political Islam, the notion that the [[Quran]] and ''[[hadith]]'' mandate an [[caliphate|Islamic government]]. Some Islamists advocate women's rights in the [[public sphere]] but do not challenge gender inequality in the personal, [[private sphere]] <ref>[http://www.iran-bulletin.org/women/Islamic_feminism_IB.html Islamic Feminism And The Politics Of Naming<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>. Note that any of the above can be men or women. ==Notable people== *[[Leila Ahmed]] - Egyptian-American professor of women's studies *[[Qasim Amin]] - an early advocate of women's rights in Islamic society *[[Elvia Ardalani]] - a Mexican writer and author of ''De cruz y media luna/ From Cross and Crescent Moon'' *Margot Badran - feminist historian and women's studies scholar *[[Asma Barlas]] - Pakistani-American professor at [[Ithaca College]], and author of ''"Believing Women" in Islam: Unreading Patriarchal Interpretations of the Qur'an'' *[[Mukhtaran Bibi]] - Pakistani advocate for rape prevention and women's rights *[[Shirin Ebadi]] - Iranian lawyer and human rights activist who founded the Association for Support of Children's Rights. Also, a [[Nobel Peace Prize]] winner in 2003 for her efforts in promoting democracy and human rights especially for women and children. *[[Farid Esack]] - male supporter and scholar *[[Soumya Naâmane Guessous]] - Moroccan sociologist and campaigner on inheriting citizenship *[[Zaib-un-Nissa Hamidullah]] - Pakistan's first woman columnist and editor, first woman to speak at [[Al-Azhar University]], and author of ''The Bull and the She Devil'' *[[Roquia Sakhawat Hussain]] - 1880-1932, Bengali author of [[Sultana's dream|The Sultana's Dream]], an early work of [[feminist science fiction]]; founder of schools for girls *[[Hamida Javanshir]] - Azerbaijani philanthropist, co-founder in 1910 of the Muslim Women's Caucasian Benevolent Society *[[Na'eem Jeenah]] - South African scholar and activist *[[Shamsunnahar Mahmud]] - Bengali writer, educationalist, politician and activist. *[[Irshad Manji]] - Canadian journalist, author of ''[[The Trouble with Islam Today]]'' *[[Fatema Mernissi]] - Moroccan writer *[[Ebrahim Moosa]] - South African scholar on Islamic law, based at [[Duke University]] *[[Shirin Neshat]] - Iranian-born American artist *[[Asra Nomani]] - Indian-American journalist, author of ''[[Standing Alone in Mecca|Standing Alone in Mecca: An American Woman's Struggle for the Soul of Islam]]'' *[[Nawal El Saadawi]] - Egyptian author *[[Hoda Shaarawi]] - early advocate of Egyptian women's rights *[[Shamima Shaikh]] - South African *[[Zilla Huma Usman]] - Pakistani politician and activist, assassinated Feb 2007 *[[Amina Wadud]] - African American professor and author *[[Benazir Bhutto]]-Prime Minister of Pakistan, assassinated December 27, 2007 ==See also== *[[Golden Needle Sewing School]] *[[Women in Islam]] *[[Women in Quran]] *[[Sisters in Islam]] *[[Role of women in religion]] *[[Islamic Bill of Rights for Women in the Bedroom]] *[[Islamic Bill of Rights for Women in the Mosque]] *[[History of feminism]] *[[Breastfeeding fatwa]] ==References== {{Reflist}} ==Further reading== * [http://www.ccmw.com/GTAForum/index.htm Canadian Council of Muslim Women] Several examples of closely argued essays for female equality, based on the Quran. *[http://www.salafimanhaj.com/pdf/SalafiManhaj_Noble.pdf The Noble Women Scholars of Hadeeth] *[http://modernmuslimwoman.com The Modern Muslimah Forum] *[http://globalwebpost.com/farooqm/writings/islamic/bloom.html Women Scholars of Islam: They Must Bloom Again] by Dr. Mohammad Omar Farooq *[http://www.islamicfeminism.org/ IslamicFeminism.org] *[http://www.maryams.net/dervish/index.php/2003/08/31/feminist_movements_in_islam What is Muslim feminism?] Introduction to the history and concept of Muslim feminism. *[http://www.jannah.org/sisters/feminism.html "Islamic Traditions and the Feminist Movement: Confrontation or Cooperation?"] by Dr. Lois Lamya' al Faruqi. *[http://shams.za.org/articles.htm Articles by a South African Islamic feminist] by Shamima Shaikh *[http://naeemjeenah.shams.za.org/IslamicFeministhHerm.pdf "Towards an Islamic Feminist Hermeneutic"] by Na'eem Jeenah, ''Journal for Islamic Studies'', Vol. 21, 2001, 36-70. *[http://naeemjeenah.shams.za.org/IslcFemsinSA.pdf "The National Liberation Struggle and Islamic Feminisms in South Africa"] by Na'eem Jeenah, ''Women's Studies International Forum 29'', January 2006, 27-41. *[http://www.milligazette.com/Archives/2004/16-31Jan04-Print-Edition/1631200425.htm "Islamic feminism means justice to women"] interview with Prof Margot Badran, ''The Milli Gazette'', January 16&ndash;31, 2004 *[http://www.islam101.com/women/jameelah.htm "Feminism and Islam"] analysis of Feminism from a traditional Islamic perspective, ''Maryam Jameelah'', July 13th, 2005 *[http://www.islam-democracy.org/4th_Annual_Conference-Anwar_address.asp "Islamisation and its Impact on Democractic Governance and Women's Rights in Islam: A Feminist Perspective"] by Zainah Anwar, Center for the Study of Islam and Democracy, May 17, 2003 *[http://www.secularislam.org/rights/declaration.htm "A Declaration of the Rights of Women in Islamic Societies"], ''SecularIslam.com'', undated *[http://www.ntpi.org/html/liberationofwomen.html "The Liberation of Women in the Middle East"] by Azam Kamguian, undated *Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Council of Resistance of Iran. [http://www.iran-e-azad.org/english/book_on_women.html ''Women, Islam, and Equality''], an ebook *Badran, Margot. ''"Feminists, Islam, and Nation: Gender and the Making of Modern Egypt''. *______________ ''Opening the Gates: A Century of Arab Feminist Writing'' * "[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/04/AR2005110402306.html A Gender Jihad For Islam's Future]" by [[Asra Nomani]], in the ''[[Washington Post]]'', [[November 6]], [[2005]] * [http://www.penkatali.org/ Divine Feminine] A feminist Sufi's perspective *Sutherland, Joan. [http://www.guardian.co.uk/women/story/0,,1746156,00.html "The ideas interview: Phyllis Chesler"], ''The Guardian'', April 4, 2006 *[http://www.diabolicdigest.net/Guest%20pens/Badra_en.htm More to life than window dressing] In this special feature, a successful Belgian-Algerian Muslim woman recounts what it was like growing up immersed in two cultures with divergent views of women. August 2006 *Ahmed, Leila. ''Women and Gender in Islam: Historical Roots of a modern Debate'', 1992, Yale University Press, ISBN 0-300-049420 *[http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/12/01/news/islam6.php Muslim women take charge of their faith]'', International Herald Tribune, December 4, 2005 {{Spoken Wikipedia|Wikipedia_-_Islamic_feminism.ogg|2008-03-31}} [[Category:Women's rights in religious movements]] [[Category:Feminism]] [[Category:Feminist theology]] [[Category:Feminist theory]] [[Category:Islam and women]] [[Category:Islam-related controversies]] [[Category:Islamic feminists| ]] [[es:Feminismo islámico]] [[fa:فمینیسم اسلامی]] [[fr:Féminisme musulman]] [[nl:Moslimfeminisme]] [[sh:Islamski feminizam]] [[sv:Islamisk feminism]] [[tr:İslamcı feminizm]] [[zh:伊斯蘭女性主義]]