Sisters take on scholars in battle for Islam

[PsychoDad]

The Guardian, UK
June 1, 2005 Column
Simon Tisdall in Kuala Lumpur
www.guardian.co.uk

Zainah Anwar is a good Muslim. She is also an outspoken campaigner for women's rights. To many Muslim men in Malaysia and beyond, these two facts are barely compatible.

Since helping to found the pressure group Sisters in Islam, Ms Anwar has challenged the country's exclusively male religious establishment on issues ranging from polygamy and domestic violence to women's rights to work, dress codes, and moral policing.

She has often won the argument, even if chauvinistic practices and prejudices remain deeply entrenched.
...
Turning their sights on a widespread belief that Muslim men can insist on arranged marriages and have a right to beat their wives, the women highlighted a passage in the Qur'an: "You are forbidden to inherit women against their will. Nor should you treat them with harshness ... on the contrary, live with them on a footing of kindness and equity."


More here:
http://www.religionnewsblog.com/11318/Sisters-take-on-scholars-in-battle-for-Islam

[frankly_fedup2]

1. Yeah, and the Christian Marriage Vows have the woman say,

"Obey." I totally refuse to "Obey" anyone. lol (but serious to)

[PsychoDad]

2. I tried to get the "Obey" in my wedding vows...

But my wife said no to the idea. :D

[frankly_fedup2]

5. Well I didn't want to say it; however, we live in the South (unfortunately

and the church preacher said if I did not follow those vows, we could not get married in the church. I told him the same thing because we would have had to change everything and it was to late by then so I was stuck. I told my husband I would say the vows just like the preacher requested; however, he should not expect me to Obey him. He thought it was funny at the time. Now, 14 years later, he says I have committed a breech of our marriage contract because I do not obey. Oh well. LOL

I told him when I do not have to work, and we can pay all of the bills with just his check, then I'll obey.

[KC21304]

3. Catholic church threw out the obey long ago.

I . . . take you . . . . as my lawful wedded wife/husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, as long as we both shall live.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

4. Women in Sufism,

especially the West, hold positions of esteem. There are Shaykhas, Murshidas, and of course ministers (Cheragas) in my particular order. I have had women lead the traditional prayers, and have also done them side by side with men. (Personally, I understand why the seperation, as it has to do with subtle energies, but sometimes it is good to change things a bit). And the prayers given to my order by Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan are gender neutral (and in Englsh).