The Feminist Struggle Under Islam Essay - 1275 Words

Tentative Title I propose to title the research paper â€Å"The Feminist Struggle Under Islam: How Can Women Become Empowered Under an Inherently Patriarchal System?† II. Research Problem Numerous articles and books by prominent authors such as Malise Ruthven, Farida Shaheed, and A.Z. Hilali, address the rights, or lack thereof, of Muslim women living under Islamic law. Each author provides an in-depth look at the struggles and analyzes their causes. These accounts explain how sexist interpretations of Islam, cultural customs and traditions, and hierarchical and dominant structures within the Muslim community are utilized to oppress the rights of women and to maintain a patriarchal, political system. And, a few of these reports even address some of the advances reformers have made in resolving the legal inequalities confronting Muslim women. However, many of these accounts fail to adequately propose solutions as to how to continue to improve the social and legal status of Muslim women and how to protect women against the backlash against reforms that have already been made. Malise Ruthven, an Anglo-Irish scholar and former instructor of Islamic studie s, cultural history, and comparative religion at the University of Aberdeen, Scotland, provides an acute understanding when discussing the status of women and Islam. In his book Islam: A Very Short Introduction, Ruthven divides his chapter â€Å"Women and Family† into sections which address women and the Sharia, marriage and divorce,Show MoreRelatedIslamic Freedom Of Choice Under The Islamic Charter940 Words   |  4 PagesIslamic feminism can be defined as women who advocate for their rights, gender equality, and social norms under the framework of Islam. Rooted in Islam, the movement’s pioneers have also utilized secular, Western, or otherwise non-Muslim feminist discourses. 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