[WCUSP] Feminism does not belong exclusively to non-Muslims

[Barbara Taft]

I would go so far as to say that most of the Muslim women I know are
feminists, both the ones here in the States and the ones I've met in
the Middle East.  They may be different types of feminists than most
Western women, but I think it is a more sincere feminism, because it
is the result of living in circumstances (often, not always) that
might work against living out a feminist vision.  I have had many
conversations in which Muslim women have told me (and it has been
confirmed by the men in their families) that the woman is really in
charge of things, but that she often lets the man think he is in
charge--and she allows that myth to prevail in public--in order to
avoid embarassing him.  That is a type of feminism to me:  She is
confident enough to not need to flaunt her superiority.

As for the hijab, it is worn by many Muslim women as a choice, and
a sign of solidarity with their cause (whether religious or one of
nationalism).  The women who wear it have said to me that they know
"if you want to be respected, you have to respect yourself," and
they feel that hijab is a way to do both.

Barb T.

--- Tura Campanella Cook <turacc at earthlink.net> wrote:

> Thank YOU for posting this, Kate.  That feminism does not belong to 
> non-Muslims, or to Westerners, so needs to be said.  Love the last 
> line, too!
> Along the same lines, I recommend the book "In Search of Islamic 
> Feminism"  by Elizabeth Fernea (1998).  By following up on the writings 
> of the women she interviews you can hear about Islamic Feminism from 
> the women themselves.  If others on this list know of more current 
> scholarship or articles, please share.
> 
> Peace,
> Tura
> 
> On Sep 12, 2007, at 3:57 PM, Kate Zaidan wrote:
> 
> > Feminism does not belong exclusively to non-Muslims
> >
> > By: Rebecca Mahfouz
> >
> > Posted: 9/11/07
> >  The resurrection of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) isn't stirring 
> > up the controversy it did in the 70s. Americans now have more pressing 
> > issues to deal with than whether women deserve the "equality of rights 
> > under the law," set forth in the amendment. Aside from the Iraq 
> > quagmire and the quagmire-to-be in Iran, we still don't know who will 
> > be "America's Next Top Model."
> >
> >  With these historic events unfolding, it's no wonder ERA isn't 
> > getting much attention. In feminist circles, however, the amendment is 
> > generating debate and the usual hostility toward women who don't buy 
> > the received definition of "feminism."
> >
> >  A few days ago, I stood outside CASL as some of the women's studies 
> > crowd discussed ERA. Being acquainted with two of the young feminists, 
> > I offered my view of Phyllis Schlafly and her anti-woman minions. My 
> > considered analysis of opposition to the amendment was met with 
> > silence and incredulous looks.
> >
> >  One brave young lady finally spoke, "So do you really consider 
> > yourself a feminist?" That was it, what it always comes down to with 
> > this set; that I cover my hair. This automatically excludes me from 
> > any conversation on women's rights. To them, I am a victim of 
> > oppression, someone to be "saved."
> >
> >  Attending a mid-Michigan college a few years ago, one of my 
> > professors said he was impressed by my thoughtful remarks and 
> > surprised because, "Muslim women don't usually hold those kinds of 
> > progressive opinions." It's hardly likely that a middle-aged Caucasian 
> > Christian man living in Midland, MI, and teaching at a college where 
> > about one percent of the students were Muslim knows more Muslim women 
> > than I do. But he certainly felt, like most people, that he had a good 
> > handle on what we are and are not. So what he was saying, essentially, 
> > was, "I'm glad you've absorbed 'our' ideas, God [in the Christian 
> > sense of God] knows, 'you people' don't have any ideas of your own."
> >
> >  No matter how many times I encounter this attitude, it's always a 
> > surprise that there are still people who believe that a woman's brain 
> > shuts down when she puts on a scarf. However enlightened someone 
> > seems, seeing a woman in hijab kills the part of their brain used for 
> > rational thought, substituting a Fox News-type banner, featuring lines 
> > like "Muslim women oppressed, American feminists pledge to save them."
> >
> >  While feminists try to "save" us from our scarves, they refuse to 
> > allow us to be a part of the dialogue about ourselves. By the same 
> > token, Muslim women often shy away from the term "feminist" because, 
> > as American feminists have made all too clear, there is one acceptable 
> > brand of feminism and that is the white, middle-class variety that 
> > allows for mini-skirts and grrrrl T-shirts, crew cuts and combat 
> > boots, but not for hijab.
> >
> >  So, a note to progressive Muslim women who don't care to be 
> > associated with the stereotypical man-hating feminist movement: those 
> > who yell loudest do not "own" feminism. We have to insist that they 
> > hear and include us.
> >
> >  And to the current crop of feminists who like to write about us, but 
> > not listen to us: Muslim feminists do exist and need not follow the 
> > model of fake-"edgy" publicity-hounds like Irshad Manji and Amina 
> > Wadud. If feminists bothered to talk to us, instead of about us, they 
> > might find that we do indeed hold some beliefs in common.
> >
> >  And finally, if there's any saving to be done, we'll let you know.
> > -- 
> > Kate Zaidan
> > Program Coordinator
> > The Women's International League for Peace and Freedom
> > 1213 Race Street
> > Philadelphia, PA  19107
> > 215-563-7110 [ph]
> > 215-563-5527 [fx]
> > www.wilpf.org
> >
> > “Societies and economies can be destroyed by bombs. Societies can also 
> > be destroyed by locking every aspect of life like provision of food 
> > and water through an economic war.”
> >
> >  Vandana Shiva quote
> >
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