Modern Muslim Women: Panel Report

February 10, 2012 · No Comments

A panel of five Canadian women spoke to our members at the Muhammad Ali Center this week on the topic of Modern Muslim Women. The women are involved in a range of initiatives from providing support for women in Afghanistan to working with local teens in the Muslim community on self-esteem issues.

While presenters had their own angles to discuss, there were common themes:

Education is key: Many Muslim women in countries like Afghanistan are denied opportunities for education and literacy rate is very low. Most don’t make it past primary ed. One panelist noted that for many Americans when they think about Afghanistan they think about it in terms of war, for Canadians it’s more of a human rights issue.
Breaking through myths: There is a common myth that Muslim women are oppressed and don’t have a voice. Strong Muslim women were shown from past and present time period proving this myth wrong. From political poets to military leaders to women who have bravely carried hidden cameras beneath their burkas to document violent acts committed by the Taliban, Muslim women are capable of not only having a voice but serving as leaders.
It’s time for compassion: One panelist recommended we focused on our similarities rather than our differences. We should start with the fact that at the very base we are all human and then celebrate our differences from there. “We are all in desperate need for compassion,” she said.
Change is not just a female issue: In order to make true change all need to be involved - females and males. The topic of how the Koran was interpreted lent to a discussion on domestic violence and honor killing. The panelists were in agreement violence against women within the Muslim community needed to end, but domestic violence is not only a Muslim issue.

In the end, the panelists said that there will always be some in the community who don’t want women to speak up, but for the most part people are supportive.

What issues do you feel Muslim women face in Louisville and what solutions have you seen? Join us for a discussion on Facebook!