A Valiant Struggle.

I wouldn't label myself as a feminist thinker because I do not need to be, especially since Islam prescribes spiritual equality between men and women.

"For Muslim men and women,- for believing men and women, for devout men and women, for true men and women, for men and women who are patient and constant, for men and women who humble themselves, for men and women who give in Charity, for men and women who fast (and deny themselves), for men and women who guard their chastity, and for men and women who engage much in God's praise,- for them has God prepared forgiveness and great reward. (Quran, 33:35)"

There are differences in the role of men and women because of their physical and mental composition. Women may be more nurturing and have a closer connection with children because after all, there is nothing that can change who gives birth to progeny. Back to my feminist statement, I do not think I need to excessively fight for the feminine cause because I believe Islam explains the relationship of God to women and women to men. But the realities are different from what Islam teaches, hence the motivation of this post.

A society is as strong as its weakest thing. It is evident that women are often times the weakest links in society, specifically countries that are predominately Muslim. If we expect for our society to move forward, it has to start with women’s empowerment. I do not want to evaluate these countries with an ethnocentric perspective, expecting women in these developing nations to demand/fight for educational opportunities that have been easily handed to me. (See Scheyvens, 1998) I am sure extremely educated female professors in Pakistan or Indonesia are out there but for the majority of women who just want political recognition, equality in public spheres, protection from domestic abuses and legal rights; I commend their valiant struggle. It is different from my own 'college-educated life of luxury' struggle but none the less-- important and valuable.

I am reminded of a 2007 Amnesty International Report on the Taliban's crimes against humanity. Specifically, there was a section on how women were mistreated during their 1996-2001 regime. The discrimination included denial of "education, employment, freedom of movement and political participation and representation...They were excluded from public life and prohibited from studying, working or leaving the house without being chaperoned by a male blood relative... The effects of these restrictions were particularly hard on widows and other women-headed households." (Amnesty International, 2007, p.22) Denial of these restrictions resulted in beatings and public humiliation.

Now, how is this at all related to what Islam teaches? This is interest driven politics, leading to an interpretation of the Quran in a way that best suited the political agenda of the Taliban which was to keep control in their region and purport themselves as the moral authority.

The Qur'an says, "Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has given the one more (strength) than the other, and because they support them from their means. Therefore the righteous women are devoutly obedient, and guard in (the husband's) absence what Allah would have them guard. (Quran 4:34)"

This speaks at the differences I stated earlier about the physical and mental makeup between men and women. Maybe the Taliban perceive this statement as their responsibility to protect women by keeping them at home and not allowing them to become educated or work. It is a hard line and exclusionist approach founded in fear--fear that when women find their own empowerment and voice, they will demand rights. But what happened to the verse that says treat women with kindness and respect, not objects to superimpose preventative rules/restriction on, especially since they have not committed any crime to warrant such restrictions.

"O ye who believe! Ye are forbidden to inherit women against their will. Nor should ye treat them with harshness, that ye may take away part of the dower [money given by the husband to the wife for the marriage contract] ye have given them, except where they have been guilty of open lewdness; on the contrary live with them on a footing of kindness and equity. If ye take a dislike to them it may be that ye dislike a thing, and God brings about through it a great deal of good. (The Noble Quran, 4:19)"

It hurts me to think that around the world my feminine counterparts are struggling to find their voices. Governance is not on their side. Men are not on their side. Even other women are not on their side. Sadly, I do not even have any recommendations aside from institutional change which will probably not come without a revolution and demanding of rights. Piece meal efforts like microfinance loans to seamstresses are promising but there have been reports of increased domestic violence in these households because of the additional income. The picture is grime.

My sisters, my heart and thoughts reduce to prayer. May you find strength and a voice where you can create a fulfilling life that suits your needs, not what anyone else tells you is the norm. May you find justice and become free from oppression. If not here, May Allah grant you jannat-ul-furdos, the highest place in heaven, for such a valiant existence.