What if Shari’a Weren’t the Enemy
What if Shari’a Weren’t the Enemy?
Rethinking International Women’s Rights Advocacy on Islamic Law
Asifa Quraishi
(forthcoming: Columbia Journal of Gender and Law, Spring 2011)
Abstract
For many international (especially western-oriented) women’s rights activists, sharia is the enemy. In order to protect women from Muslim religious law, these advocates often position themselves aggressively against so-called sharia legislation (and sharia in general), in the interest of helping Muslim women. I argue that this approach is counterproductive. This strategy ultimately exacerbates, rather than holds back, the oppression of many women living in Muslim majority countries. In this article I explain how current international feminist strategies have created an unwinnable and unnecessary war: that of “sharia vs. women’s rights.” Drawing on my work on zina (extra-marital sex) laws in Nigeria and Pakistan, I argue for an alternative: international women’s rights advocates concerned about the situation of Muslim women would do better not to mention Islamic law at all. This would be a major strategy shift, requiring significant restraint on the part of western secular feminist activists, but I believe it is worth it. Below, I explain how, with a shift in its approach, international women’s rights advocates could not only more effectively secure rights for women in Muslim majority countries, but also better appreciate more of the global spectrum of feminism – including that coming from a sharia-mindful perspective. In short, I imagine a world of international advocacy for women that is nuanced and sophisticated and works with -- not against -- the reality of sharia in Muslim lives.
Table of Contents
Introduction
I. Why Bariya Got Lashed, and Other Stories
II. What is Sharia, Exactly? And Is It Bad for Women?
a. What Does Sharia-Based Advocacy Look Like?
i. Amending Pakistan’s Zina Ordinance
ii. The Intersectionalities of Muslim Women’s Activism
III. “Feminism vs. Islam”: Unpacking Some Very Old Baggage
IV. A Different Strategy: Sharia? Islamic Law? No Comment.
a. A Footnote On the Veil: Can we Take it Down a Notch?
Conclusion
................
................
In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.
To fulfill the demand for quickly locating and searching documents.
It is intelligent file search solution for home and business.
Related searches
- what if you don t have baking soda
- funny what if questions
- what if questions for kids
- what if loan calculator
- what if questions for teens
- what if you don t have baking powder
- list of what if questions
- best what if questions
- what if scenarios for teens
- what if game questions
- what if questions game
- what if questions for adults