Tuesday, November 01, 2005
Conference on Islamic Feminism
This is one I conference I really wish I could have attended... The first Conference on Islamic Feminism. With topics such as Islam and Feminism, Quranic Hermeneutics, Islam and Diversity, Progressive Islam, it would have been right up my alley. Fortunately, Ahmed Nassef, who is also Editor of MuslimWakeUp.com as well as a board member of the Progressive Muslim Union, was able to represent PMU. I hope to hear a full report over at MWU soon.
An article in the Daily Star reads: "'Islamic feminism is an emerging reality that must be seen as an alternative to the dominant chauvinist readings [of the Koran],' the statement (of the delegates) said, adding that the Koran 'does not justify patriarchy.'
The October 27 to 29 conference was organized by the Catalonian Islamic Board, whose secretary Abdel-Nour Prado called for a 'gender jihad' to 'struggle against male chauvinistic, homophobic or sexist readings of the sacred texts' during her presentation to the 400 delegates."
Amina Wadud once again delivered friday khutbah and led a mixed-gender congregation in prayers. The ball continues to roll! A quickie report on that is up at MWU, causing the usual furor.
Alhamdulillah, it is so good for Muslim feminists to have a place to come together, to be unabashedly feminist. More often than not, in the Muslim community, feminist is a dirty word, much as it is in certain American Christian circles. We have a long path to walk before the wider Muslim community embraces even very basic feminist notions, even though those notions have solid backing in the Qur'an. It's important for us to be able to show our support for one another, to bolster each other's activism, to live in a place where "feminist" is a badge of honor and pride, not something people look shocked to hear you claim as your identity.
As soon as I get a picture of it, I'll post me in my radical muslim feminist t-shirt. Until then, you can check it out at the source, hijabman (who's blog is definately an interesting read.) ¶ 8:01 AM
An article in the Daily Star reads: "'Islamic feminism is an emerging reality that must be seen as an alternative to the dominant chauvinist readings [of the Koran],' the statement (of the delegates) said, adding that the Koran 'does not justify patriarchy.'
The October 27 to 29 conference was organized by the Catalonian Islamic Board, whose secretary Abdel-Nour Prado called for a 'gender jihad' to 'struggle against male chauvinistic, homophobic or sexist readings of the sacred texts' during her presentation to the 400 delegates."
Amina Wadud once again delivered friday khutbah and led a mixed-gender congregation in prayers. The ball continues to roll! A quickie report on that is up at MWU, causing the usual furor.
Alhamdulillah, it is so good for Muslim feminists to have a place to come together, to be unabashedly feminist. More often than not, in the Muslim community, feminist is a dirty word, much as it is in certain American Christian circles. We have a long path to walk before the wider Muslim community embraces even very basic feminist notions, even though those notions have solid backing in the Qur'an. It's important for us to be able to show our support for one another, to bolster each other's activism, to live in a place where "feminist" is a badge of honor and pride, not something people look shocked to hear you claim as your identity.
As soon as I get a picture of it, I'll post me in my radical muslim feminist t-shirt. Until then, you can check it out at the source, hijabman (who's blog is definately an interesting read.) ¶ 8:01 AM
