WOMEN IN ISLAM

Women’s Rights

Spiritually equal to men Traditional family – head of household

Can have a career & own property Right to an education Allowed to vote & run for office Cannot be forced into marriage

Keep her marriage gift (hahr) – husband can’t have it

Have a right to initiate divorce Man can have multiple wives

Hijab

Means ‘head cover or modest dress’ for women

Cover entire body – except hands and face Some debate over whether whole face

needs to be covered Should not be form fitting or eye

catching Recommended at start of puberty

Burqa

Jilbab & Khumur

Honor Killing

Committed by men against women who have brought dishonor to the family Unacceptable dress code Inappropriate sexual activity

Approx. 5,000 worldwide/yr. Not exclusive to Islam, but more

common in Muslim-majority countries

Political Involvement

7 heads of state in Muslim-majority countries

4 of the 5 most populated Muslim-majority countries have had a female leader at some point Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh & Turkey

Benazir Bhutto

You Decide

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpffWcPD9iA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYpuXpbf0jg&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rgSH0h45Eo&feature=related