What Islam, Whose Islam?
The Struggle for Women’s Right to Equality and Justice in Muslim Context with Zainah Anwar
Ms. Anwar of Malaysia is a founding member of Sisters in Islam and is currently the Director of Musawah, the global movement for equality and justice in the Muslim family. She is at the forefront of the women's movement working towards an end of the use of Islam to justify discrimination against women. Sisters in Islam has successfully created a public voice through which women can demand equality and justice. Musawah has brought together scholars and activists from over 50 countries to produce new feminist scholarship in Islam, to train activists on women's rights in Islam, and to challenge the evasion of human rights standards. Ms. Anwar is a former member of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia. She writes a column, "Sharing the Nation," for The Star. Her book, Islamic Revivalism in Malaysia: Dakwah Among Students, has become a standard reference in the study of Islam in Malaysia.
What is Islamic Feminism?
Islamic feminism aims for the full equality of all Muslims regardless of sex or gender in public and private life.
Islamic feminists are critical of the impact of Islamic law on women's rights and status, but deny that Islam is inherently biased towards men. They argue that Islam has historically been interpreted in patriarchal and often misogynistic ways.
Islamic feminists' work relies on two main tools: progressive interpretation of the Qu'ran and international human rights standards.