Why does the West pay such great attention to the Arab woman's issues? Why is the United Nations so eager to put the Muslim family at the top of its agenda? Do the issues, that are discussed by documents in women’s conferences, actually reflect the priorities of Muslim women?
It is not a secret
Speaking about the danger of the woman's status in the western agenda, the Islamic thinker, Dr. ‘Abdul-Saboor Shaaheen, says, “The enmity that faces Islam by all methods and places, military and cultural, is evident, particularly in the field of woman's issues. The position of the Muslim woman and family has been targeted by western discourse for more than a hundred years. Sometimes the confrontation calms down or the battlefield or the means is changed, however, the war remains kindled.” Explaining the reasons behind this enmity, Dr. ‘Abdul-Saboor Shaaheen says that it is due to the importance of the woman's position and her value as the major reason behind the stability of the Muslim community. Hence, she is at the top of priorities of the western agenda because of her role in forming the Islamic civilization.
For this reason, the American administration established research centers and conducted studies to evaluate the Muslim community and, accordingly, they decided their policy and formed their hegemony.Because the culture and ideas of the Muslim community do not accept this hegemony, the west believes that they must be prepared for this. They see that they should forget or ignore the fact that its cultural and social system which it wants to impose on Arab communities, under the slogan of development, was a natural and logical result of its historical circumstances and can not be imposed on other communities that have a different history. Hence, we should be optimistic, as the fundamental values, particularly those which receive their power from Allaah The Exalted, are always victorious.
Unjustified treachery
The Islamic caller, Kaareemah Qamar, a caller to Allaah at Al-Jam‘eeyyah Ash-Shar‘iyyah (The Religious Association), believes that the Muslim woman suffers from things that are greater than the ‘three No's’: "No to deprivation of education", "No to circumcision of women," and, "No to early marriage." She also suffers from indecency and nakedness for propagating material goods as cheap as a piece of candy and up to cars, let alone what is seen on video clips. Does this not destroy and disdain the woman's dignity? She confirms that it is treachery for the Muslim Ummah (nation) to neglect what the Muslim woman is suffering from in Palestine, Iraq, Chechnya, India and Africa from capturing husbands, killing children and imprisoning fathers. This is in addition to her suffering from humiliation at military checkpoints on the street and at home, day and night.
Hence, Mrs. Kareemah Qamar believes that we are required to arrange our priorities and focus on major issues and give them our full attention. She also warns against isolating religion when our issues are discussed as it does not only offer the solution, but also works as a guarantee for an effective treatment without side effects. She also believes that the Muslim woman bears great responsibility in confronting the campaigns that are targeted on her, as Allaah The Exalted has provided her with great components. This gives glad tidings that she will succeed in this cultural confrontation.
Problems that are solved by Islam
Despite the legislative aspects of woman's issues, Dr. Ra’fat ‘Uthmaan, a member of the Islamic Research Academy in Egypt and the Assembly of Muslim Jurists of America, believes that there is no need for new legislation and laws to modify or reform the condition of women. Moreover, the other issues of the community, particularly those of the man, cannot be separated from the woman's legislative issues. He asserts that the suffering of the woman is not due to a deficiency in legislation or ambiguity in rights and duties, as putting the woman's issue in its Islamic framework is sufficient to solve it. Dr Ra’fat explains that Islamic legislation does not in any way imply any discrimination against women. This is supported by the Hadeeth where the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “Women are peers to men.” As for the woman's right to education, Islam made it an obligation, for the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “Seeking knowledge is an obligation on each Muslim, male and female.”
Concerning her right to marry, it is not valid unless she agrees and the marriage contract cannot be concluded unless she gives her permission. She also has an independent financial liability. She can sell, buy, barter, lend, borrow, give a gift and make a bequest. Her acts are effective by means of her personal will and the satisfaction of the father or the husband is not a condition. Dr. Ra’fat ‘Uthmaan believes that all women's issues should be handled through a Sharee'ah-based background and Islamic identity in order to avoid collision with the nature of the Muslim community.
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