This book is such a fascinating look at feminism and Islam, and I'd highly recommend to to everyone (especially females). Broken into two parts, this narrative lays the case for how women are gradually changing the way females are treated under Islamic law and how trailblazing women are using their religion to improve the plight of women.

Part 1 explains how females have been treated in Islam and how women got to the place they are today. This is quite a well-researched section, giving plenty of background so the reader can understand why Islam is such a powerful force and how the religion has changed (or at least the way the religion has been interpreted has changed) over time, rolling back and pushing forward women's rights.

Part 2 of the book is broken into sections where the author details progress made by women in a number of different countries: Iran, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Various women are profiled in this section, explaining what they're doing to push forward change and how their actions have helped shape the way Muslim females are viewed and treated by their country's laws and citizens.

I was blown away by how passionate some of these women are and the guts they have to continue their work despite threats to their lives and sacrifices they've had to make. It was shocking (and disheartening) to read about the problems women have faced and continue to face today despite pushes for reform. At many points, I felt extremely frustrated reading about the religious interpretations and excuses people made (either out of ignorance or blind devotion) for affording women so few rights. It was amazing to hear stories of women working for change - and not in a secular way but actually using their religion to make the case for change! What a great thought, that the religion that is such a powerful force in these countries can be used as a tool for positive change instead of simply a cultural excuse for keeping women as second-class citizens.

The book was very inspiring and really made me thankful for all the rights I enjoy in this country and the women who, in the past, have fought for the freedoms I have today. I can only hope that the women profiled in this book continue to make progress in their own quests for change.