Feature: What Is Islamic Feminism and Who Is Fatema Mernissi?

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PRESENTER

Celine Alkhaldi

ORIGINAL CITY 

Dubai

Original Date

October 5, 2019

Description

Does Islam as a religion oppress women? Can Islam and Feminism be reconciled? My presentation searches for answers to these questions; by first exploring the origins of the term "Feminism", and then gradually understanding the ideas of renowned sociologist Fatema Mernissi, who argues that women’s oppression is not due to Islam because this religion celebrates women’s power. Women’s oppression, she maintains, is due to political manipulation of religion by power-seeking, archaic Muslim male elites.

Sources & Future References

• Margot Badran, 2002, Al-Ahram Weekly Online, 17 - 23 January 2002, Issue No.569

• Carolyn J. Eichner, French Historical Studies (2009) 32 (1): 63-84.

• Offen, Karen. “Defining Feminism: A Comparative Historical Approach.” Signs, 14, no. 1 (1988): 119-157.

• Feminism and Nationalism in the Third World, 1986, Kumari Jayawardena

• Kumari Jayawardena - Chhachhi - 2006 - Development and Change - Wiley Online Library

• Feminism and Nationalism in the Third World by Kumari Jayawardena – review | History books | The Guardian

• Mernissi, Fatima - Oxford Islamic Studies Online

• Fatema Mernissi, a Founder of Islamic Feminism, Dies at 75 - The New York Times

• Fatema Mernissi: The Pride of Islamic Feminism in Modern Times - Obituary | musliminstitute.org

Contact Info

Instagram: @ccalkha

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