 On Friday 16th March, Jacobs University, hosted an enlightening discussion on the topic 'Gender Roles in Islam' at the Interfaith House. The lecture, arranged by the Counseling Center, was delivered by Dr. Michaela Oezelsel, a distinguished author, lecturer, and researcher, and was part of this year's Gender Awareness Week.
Using excerpts from the Holy Quran and examples from the life of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), the most 'exemplary man' in Islamic belief, Dr. Oezelsel discussed numerous aspects of women's status in Islam and the conflict between Islamic and Western society's viewpoint on the issue.
As the audience enjoyed scrumptious Turkish delights and tea, Dr. Oezelsel started her discussion with a mention of the first marriage in Islam, that of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and Khadija, a marriage in which the proposal was initiated by the latter. Alluding to a verse from the Quran, she pointed out that Islam places men and women on equal footing before God, and that it has always tried to protect women and to give them due rights. The suppression of women's rights in Muslim countries today is a recent development that has come to prominence only in the last three or four centuries.
Dr. Oezelsel then stressed on certain anthropological differences between Islamic and Western thinking. Whereas Islamic society possesses an externalized character in which the family in particular and the society in general are responsible for upholding moral values, Western society lays greater emphasis on the individual, thus manifesting a more internalized character. According to Dr. Oezelsel, this difference in the 'locus of control' and the resulting share in responsibilities between the individual and society gives Muslim men and women greater inner freedom.
She stressed on the Islamic notion of equality between the sexes by pointing out that although Islam considers men and women equal before God, it does underscore the fact that biologically the two are different and possess different roles and responsibilities. It lays particular emphasis on the need for the two to rely on each other in the fulfillment of these roles, and to promote tolerance and mutual dependence between one another. This concept of mutuality has central importance in Islam.
Mutuality is also a prominent part of the Islamic notion of sexual intercourse. The biological inequality between men and women manifests itself most strongly in their differing sexualities. According to the Quran, men are more susceptible and vulnerable to their sexual desires. Islam however requires them to subjugate these desires before those of a woman, and to show greater tenderness and affection towards them. Quoting Al-Ghazali, an eminent eleventh-century Muslim scholar, Dr. Oezelsel pointed out that Islam views sex between a husband and wife as a means of increasing closeness to God and as an instrument for procreation, but not as a fulfillment of sexual desires. Thus, although it encourages men and women to express their sexuality and discourages its suppression, it insists that this expression neither disrupt society, nor hinder the bond between the two sexes.
Dr. Oezelsel also spoke about the allowance in Islam of up to four wives, a Quranic injunction which is the source of much negative opinion concerning women's status in Islam. She stressed that the verse in question goes on to discourage such an action on the grounds that an individual would find it almost impossible to treat all his wives equitably, a necessary pre-requisite. Moreover, this action should be undertaken only in certain circumstances, where marriage can offer a woman security. Dr. Oezelsel then mentioned examples from Prophet Muhammad's (pbuh) life where he married widows to offer them protection, since in tribal Arab society, widows were often mistreated and their rights forcibly taken away. She also mentioned the example of a young German Muslim who married a poor Afghan woman after the latter had lost her husband and needed protection from her overbearing in-laws.
The broad and comprehensive discussion then gave way to a question and answer session with the audience. Among the questions raised were violence against women, the overbearing presence of men in most Muslim societies and the Islamic position on dating and courtship.
Dr. Oezelsel stated that in Islam, violence per se is unjustifiable, not only against women but against all humanity. However, the previous few centuries have seen a steady increase in the patriarchal outlook of Islam, which has been one of the principal factors for the increased suppression of women's rights and violence against them. Although Islam holds that men are responsible for taking care of, providing for and looking after women, it does not allow them the right to exercise harshness or physical force. Sadly, as awareness of these rights diminished, the overbearing presence of men became more prominent.
In one of the most interesting parts of the lecture, Dr. Oezelsel touched on the idea of dating and courtship in Islam. She explained that such a notion is alien to Islamic belief, primarily due to the externalizing character of the Muslim society. Marriage, for example, is centered firmly on an externalizing locus of control - it is chiefly the responsibility of the elders of two families to arrange for a healthy and lasting bond for their children. However, Islam does encourage both sexes to exercise their free will in accepting or rejecting a proposed union.
Dr. Oezelsel concluded that Islam accords women a distinguished and privilege role and that awareness of these roles is on the increase in some Muslim societies, Turkey being one of the foremost examples. The absorbing hour-long lecture was brought to an end with a mention of a few signs that hint at such improvements. Overall, the discussion was a thoroughly enjoyable and pleasurable experience. One must applaud the efforts of the Counseling Center in arranging a wonderful event, and providing a forum from where these issues could be discussed. Hopefully, the future will bring more instances of such discussions. pbuh: These letters are abbreviations for the words Peace Be Upon Him which are the meaning of the Arabic expression 'Alaihi Sallam, which is an expression that is said when the name of a prophet is mentioned.
Views: 1810
Powered by AkoComment Tweaked Special Edition v.1.4.6
AkoComment © Copyright 2004 by Arthur Konze - www.mamboportal.com
All right reserved |
