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Islam and Gender: Major Issues and Debates
Given the intense political scrutiny of Islam and Muslims, which often centres on gendered concerns, Islam and Major Issues and Debates is an accessible and comprehensive introduction to the key topics, problems and debates in this engaging subject. Split into three parts, this book places the discussion in its historical context, provides up-to-date case studies and delves into contemporary debate on the subject. This book includes discussion of the following important Islam and Gender is essential reading for students in religious studies, Islamic studies and gender studies, as well as those in related fields, such as cultural studies, politics, area studies, sociology, anthropology and history.
222 pages, Paperback
Published June 10, 2020
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November 14, 2020
A very interesting scholarly study of some contemporary issues within Islam. Reading this from the perspective of a Christian, I am struck by the similarities in many of the arguments on both sides regarding the role of women in religion, attitudes towards homosexuality and hierarchy within the family. For example, in both religions, justification for the condemnation of homosexual acts centres around a few key texts (notably the story of Lot and the people of Sodom) the meaning of which are open to different interpretations.
One point that struck me as a white, western, Christian woman, was the argument put forward that westerners who openly criticise Muslim-majority countries for their laws that oppress women may be inadvertently undermining those Muslims (men as well as women) who are seeking to reform these laws, by laying them open to accusations of betraying their own Muslim identity and furthering western imperialism. The narrative of western coutries invading Muslim majority nations in order to liberate their women plays into the hands of those who seek to maintain patriarchal systems on the grounda that only they are truly Islamic.
One point that struck me as a white, western, Christian woman, was the argument put forward that westerners who openly criticise Muslim-majority countries for their laws that oppress women may be inadvertently undermining those Muslims (men as well as women) who are seeking to reform these laws, by laying them open to accusations of betraying their own Muslim identity and furthering western imperialism. The narrative of western coutries invading Muslim majority nations in order to liberate their women plays into the hands of those who seek to maintain patriarchal systems on the grounda that only they are truly Islamic.
Displaying 1 of 1 review