Rights (un)Defined

inquilabi:
Islam is all for freedom and NO compulsion whatsoever in religion. If a Muslim woman does not want to wear Hijab, that`s between her and Allah (SWT). No third person has any right to tell her otherwise.

The crimes against women which go on is this country are definitely not sanctified by Islam. Those who say so otherwise do so out of ignorance. Islam has outlined very strict punishments for the crimes you mentioned. Unfortunately, our justice system does not work according to the Islamic principles most of the times.

For a very detailed and objective analysis of the Hudood Ordinance I suggest you get a copy of ``The Reality of Objections on Hudood Ordinance`` brought by Women Aid Trust. Hopefully it will make things more clear.


Mantolives: what conference and was it this article of mine? Can you let me know more about this? Jazakallah

Hafsa

I am with your cause.

But if Islam has not been able to get the Muslim women their due riights in the last 1400 years - there is something to think about.

Let us first get the Muslim women rights what the rest of the world has given - after that we can move on to the more Rights of Islam.

I was fortunate to get a copy of this at the `SAARC` writers conference held at AlHamra Lahore.

Hafsa,
If you are indeed trying to show that Islam gives a woman more rights and elevates her to a status to a much higher degree than any feminist movement can, then I have to wonder about a few things.

You speak of a woman`s right to wear a hijab, but what of a woman`s right not to wear one? Is a woman any less of a Muslim if her spirit and actions show her to be a woman of faith but she does not wear the hijab? Does or does not a woman have the right not to wear one?

You say: ``The fact that women have a lesser share of inheritance or that two women have to give a testimony for it to be accepted is never indicative that women and their duties are inferior and should be treated as such.``

Interesting. Women are definitely not inferior, but I question the fact that it is never indicative. Where are the rights of women when it comes to them being assaulted or raped? There are those who have spoken out in favor of the Hudood here. Is the Hudood not indicative that women and their duties are inferior? If a woman clearly cannot bear witness, or other women on behalf of her that she has been sexually assaulted than it raises serious questions as to the indicativeness of the inferiority of women.

As for the principles of feminism, there are those feminists who take their faith as a starting point in terms of treating all human beings ``equally`` and with ``respect``. For whom Islam and feminism, or Christianity and feminism intermingle. I have to wonder with what is ``allowed`` and ``not allowed``. With what some want to say is the Law, or with following the spirit of such words. I wonder if I am less of a person of faith because in spite of my belief and my practice of faith, I choose not to cover my head.

You do make a good point about democracy though. Charity begins at home as well.