gender, islam and women’s human rights
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GENDER, ISLAM AND WOMEN’S HUMAN RIGHTS. Outline of presentation. Overview : Gender Justice in Islam The status of Muslim Women Misconceptions Understanding the Muslim Woman Spiritual Aspect Economic Aspect Social Aspect Political Aspect. Overview: Gender Justice in islam. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
GENDER, ISLAM AND WOMEN’S HUMAN RIGHTS
OUTLINE OF PRESENTATION
• Overview: Gender Justice in Islam
• The status of Muslim Women• Misconceptions
• Understanding the Muslim Woman• Spiritual Aspect• Economic Aspect• Social Aspect• Political Aspect
OVERVIEW:GENDER JUSTICE
IN ISLAM
CLASSIFICATION OF 3 KEY CONCEPTS OF ISLAMIC TEACHINGS
1. Monotheism (Tawhid)2. Prophetic Mission3. Our Human Mission on earth
(Khilafah)
Source: Gender Justice in Islam.Nisa Ul-Haqq Fi Bangsamoro
MONOTHEISM (TAWHID) To explore and come to a full understanding of the
concept of monotheism: THERE IS NO OTHER GOD THAN ALLAH. Nothing can be on the same level as He. There is nothing which is as noble and deserves the same praise as He
The basic equality that defines and exists between humans, equal rights and responsibilities
Human excellence as measured in terms of one’s devotion
The teaching of justice, humanity, solidarity, equality
Source: . Gender Justice in Islam.Nisa Ul-Haqq Fi Bangsamoro
PROPHETIC MISSION Returning a favour, the respect for others,
liberating ourselves from the shackles of ignorance and humiliation
The teaching of love, respect for one’s elders (parents), care and empathy for orphans and people who are destitute, the prohibition of violence, etc.
This also includes justice and empowerment to both males and females.
Source:. Gender Justice in Islam.Nisa Ul-Haqq Fi Bangsamoro
MISSION ON EARTH Teaching about the earth’s wealth and fertility
Prosperity
The political principle of benevolence
The development of culture, science, and economics
Social and political developments
Taking care of earth’s natural resources
Source: Atty. Laisa Masuhud Alamia. Gender Justice in Islam.Nisa Ul-Haqq Fi Bangsamoro
THE STATUS OF MUSLIM WOMEN
Who is the Muslim woman?Does she have rights?
Does gender equality really exist in Islam?
MISCONCEPTIONS ON MUSLIM WOMEN That men are the masters and women
are the slaves
That men are superior to women
That men are allowed to beat women
That one man equals two women
That one male witness equals two female witnesses
Source: Barra, Hamid Aminoddin. Gender Equity in Islam. Philippine Council for Islam and Democracy
SPIRITUAL ASPECT Gender equality best exemplified through
Adam and Eve. The Quran states that both sexes were deliberate and independent and there is no mention of Eve being created from.
Both men and women alike are recipients of the "divine breath," because they are created with the same human spiritual nature.
SPIRITUAL ASPECT Allah has invested both genders
with inherent dignity and has made men and women, collectively, the trustees of Allah on earth.
The Qur'an does not blame woman for the "fall of man," nor does it view pregnancy and childbirth as punishments for "eating from the forbidden tree."On the contrary, the Qur'an depicts Adam and Eve as equally responsible for their sin in the garden , never singling out Eve for blame.
ECONOMIC ASPECT The Shari'ah (Islamic Law) recognizes the
full property rights of women before and after marriage.
With regard to the woman's right to seek employment , it should be stated first that Islam regards her role in society as a mother and a wife as her most sacred and essential one.
There is no decree in Islam that forbids women from seeking employment whenever there is a necessity for it
SOCIAL ASPECT Islam places importance in the woman’s role a
daughter, wife and mother.
Marriage in Islam is based on mutual peace, love and compassion, and not the mere satisfying of human sexual desire.
The female has the right to accept or reject marriage proposals.
The husband is responsible for the maintenance, protection and overall leadership (qiwamah) of the family, within the framework of consultation and kindness. The mutuality and complementary of husband and wife does not mean "subservience" by either party to the other.
SOCIAL ASPECT Should marital disputes arise, the
Quran encourages couples to resolve them privately in a spirit of fairness and probity. Priority for the custody of young children (up to the age of about seven) is given to the mother.
A child later may choose the mother or father as his or her custodian. Custody questions are to be settled in a manner that balances the interests of both parents and the well-being of the child.
SOCIAL ASPECT Marriage and Polygamy
It is not encouraged by IslamMen can choose to remain monogamousThe man can only marry another with the
consent of the original or other wives Polygamy can be allowed only in some
circumstances A woman can ask her husband in her marriage
contract to remain monogamous If the initial condition is violated, it can be a
ground for divorce
POLITICAL ASPECTEligibility in Public Office Wilayah khassah and wilayah ‘ammah Men as qawwamun over women Ayah al-Mudayanah on the two-women
witness equivalent to one-man testimony
Testimony in li’an Exercise of one’s profession Women as judges Can women be heads of states?
POLITICAL ASPECT The general rule in social and political life is
participation and collaboration of males and females in public affairs.
The believers, men and women, are protectors, one of another: they enjoin what is just and forbid what is evil: they observe regular prayers, practice regular charity, and obey Allah and His apostle. On them will Allah pour His mercy: for Allah is Exalted in power, Wise. (Qur'an 9:7)
There is evidence of participation by Muslim women in the choice of rulers, in public issues, in lawmaking, in a administrative positions, in scholarship and teaching, and even in the battlefield.
IMPORTANCE OF CULTURAL RELATIVISM While principles of Islam exist, one cannot
negate the existence of various cultures
How the Qu’ran and the Shari’a law is interpreted can be different in the Arab world and the Southeast Asia region
The Philippine context It embraces the universality of human rights
thus including women Women empowered in the public sphere, able
to participate in social and political life and develop themselves.
CONCLUSION Gender equality based on western
concepts and models
Media portrays Muslim women as oppressed and passive
Tendency to focus on the public sphere; disregarding the importance of woman in the private sphere, that is her home
CONCLUSION This may provide a distorted view of Muslim
women and their ability to exercise their rights A negative image of Muslim women exists-
“oppressed”
There is a need to break these misconceptions and realize that the principles of Islam seeks what is good for both man and woman, emphasizing their importance in the roles they play as well as the importance of preserving their dignity and rights as human beings.
REFERENCES Atty. Laisa Masuhud Alamia. Gender Justice in
Islam.Nisa Ul-Haqq Fi Bangsamoro
Barra, Hamid Aminoddin. Gender Equity in Islam. Philippine Council for Islam and Democra
http://www.regligiousconsultation.org/hassan2.htm
http://www.jannah.org/genderequity/equityconc.html