The Muslim Woman

The title may be a bit misleading, especially if one were to go by the Western interpretations of the equation between women and radical Islamist groups in Middle East. Obviously the ground realities do not portray a very cheerful picture and, to some extent, feed such negative interpretations. However, women empowerment and radical Islam is a complex equation, which is changing, and from the looks of it for good. True enough, women in more pluralistic and tolerant societies like Egypt, Beirut and Lebanon are seeking to enhance their roles in societies – demanding greater say in decision making and changing status quo on women’s rights vis-a-vis Islam. But the interesting fact is that it is not the secular and liberal groups that are providing a forum for women but conservative groups like Hezbollah (Lebanon) and the Muslim Brotherhood (particularly in Egypt). Hence, the ‘anomaly’ in title. And yet the reasons for such an inconsistency are quite understandable. While the conservative groups tend to derive support from the Western lobbies, radical groups try to garner support from amongst the masses. Hence the latter tend to be more legitimate and popular. Also, the liberal groups tend to side with the West on most issues (including terrorism and Islam), thereby eroding their support base in society, which is still of conventional mindset. However, the biggest reason for Shias to suddenly pitch in for women has to do with changing political scenarios. Over the past decade or so, several radical groups have stepped into political mainframe. Democratic setup has meant that these groups must actively solicit support of women to ensure a broader cadre and voter-group. The result is that several women have come to the fore as leaders. The women in such organizations are entrusted with the tasks of reaching out to female voters and even running for offices, if need arises. Enhanced roles in political outfits, albeit radical ones, has meant that women in general, too, are beginning to challenge their accepted roles in society. Read the story of Ghazwa Farahat, Hezbollah-affiliated woman who won municipal elections in Beirut, to notice how such groups can actively pursue women and ask men to abide by their decisions. As a matter of fact, Hezbollah recognizes and promotes women’s rights, more so than other fundamental groups. Similar is the case with the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt. Such developments can go a long way in improving the lot of Muslim women around the world. These developments are sure to give a jolt to the rigid interpretation of Western commentators on the role of women in Islamist organizations. It is bound to make them give due regard to the cultural, political and economic backgrounds while embarking on any sort of analysis. But more importantly so, such developments will go a long way in ensuring a broad base for feminist movements in Middle East, something which the so called liberals cannot do alone. Via Image Watch

Though women are cattle for some men, these latter are constantly disturbed and agitated by mere cows. So when I hear of Iraqi terrorists insisting on killing Christian women if they do not cover their faces in Basra University, I wonder about whom to write on here – the poor women or the poorer men? Before we blame these violent Iraqi men, I have to mention in all fairness that even in so called non-fundamentalists societies women are the proverbial soft targets. Women are always under scrutiny and in the focus of the omniscient ‘male-gaze’. So these threats that university student at Basra are facing are not to be judged as fallouts of terrorism or Islamic fundamentalism. Rather we must see such events as universal illnesses and analyze them as such. May be then we can at least somewhat calm the fears of our women. TimesOnline UK reports the case of three women, one 21 year old Zeena and two others, were recently forced by Shia fundamentalists to toe their hardcore Islamic line and wear the ‘hijab’. It is of no consequence that Zeena had pointed out to her tormentor that her Christian Faith does not ask her to cover her face in public. Wall-writings both inside and outside the university warn women to never move without their faces covered in public. Some of these graffiti invoke God as a witness to this fair warning before killing the shameless women who dare to disobey this dictat. Advertisements which show women with faces uncovered are sprayed with dark paints in Iraq. Religious and personal freedom is dying. Shias are mercilessly persecuting the Sunnis, as per the report. Pity all these, when one remembers the great Islamic scholars whose liberal spirit brought Humanism and the subsequent Renaissance to Europe. Islam is one of the world’s greatest religions and a very culturally rich one at that. But cowards are twisting it to their own perverted purposes. The New Chaldean Cardinal has been roundly trounced by these zealots. It is only insecurity and the need to dominate which compel some of my brothers in Basra to misbehave with women there. Instead of threatening women, they need to visit counselors and receive therapy to help tide over their fears of intimacy with women. The problem is not with religious fundamentalism but with the twisted psyches of some men irrespective of religion, race and color. The same impulse which leads an American white male to abuse his trembling wife is at work here. It is the very same impulse which made three young men in Assam enjoy stripping a cornered tribal girl in Guwahati is at work here. The animal in us has now shed off its mask in Basra. When the Allies leave Basra, then the real evil will be out. Via: Times Online Image: World Prout Assembly