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Muslim Women Reformers: Inspiring Voices Against Oppression

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Dr. Ida Lichter's book Muslim Women Reformers: Inspiring Voices Against Oppression is an extraodinary portrait of Muslim women around the globe and their courageous and chilling experiences. Writing with powerful elegance, she provides each story with a powerful and thought-provoking message. Capturing the heroic actions of each of the women profiled with an in-depth analysis of their day-to-day challenges, Dr. Lichter gives voice to their spirit with sensitivity, compassion and insight.
Take, for instance, Barakzai from Afghanistan who successfully campaigned for a seat in Parliament. Or Yanar Mohammed who cofounded the Organization of Women's Freedom in Iraq and has contributed to speaking up for women's rights and equality. Rania Al-Baz in Saudi Arabia worked to bring national attention to battered Saudi women after her own husband beat her unconscious following an argument. Each of the stories contained in this book provide insight into a better understanding of their world.
I loved this authentic and scholarly book. Each struggle captivated, intrigued, horrified, amazed and ultimately gave me a sense of hope for equal rights for all women. Dr. Lichter humanized their struggles with frankness and dignity. This is a must read for everyone who is interested in human rights, particularly those women who risked their own lives to speak out for freedom, justice and equality.

When I first browsed through the book, all I saw was too much information. Just from the index I could tell that there were too many countries and too many reformers from each country. I thought it would be an overload and I would finish the book without knowledge about anything in particular.

But how wrong I was. After reading the book I can still say it has lot of information but everything is so nicely structured that I could go read it in sections without getting overwhelmed. It was definitely not an overload and I could tell how important it was to include as many reformers as possible. I would feel bad if even a single among them was excluded and I feel there was still room for more.

Every countries section begins with a brief but concise history of the reformation with how the countries past and present has affected the position of the women for better or for worse. Under each country we have the information on different women reformers and the work they have done and are still doing for the betterment of women. It also lists the awards won and books written if any and the various organizations that are working towards a single goal-the betterment of women.

I found Muslim Women Reformers an awesome resource on the work done by women from different Muslim countries. Although every country has it's own laws, one thing remains common-the exploitation of Muslim women in the name of Islam. The problem is combining religion and politics and hence the misinterpretation of religion to achieve the political goals. Since most of these politicians are men, they use Islam as a way to keep women out from what they consider their territory. But women are learning to interpret Islam the correct way which is helping in fighting with these fundamentalists.

These are the women who are fighting for basic rights, both political and personal, and suffer tremendously for it. I am amazed by their courage and determination at the cost of their personal lives. The saddest part probably is that these women have to fight even for basic things like custody of their children, honour killings, right to decide if they want to wear a veil and right to express their opinion; and although it is a slow process, there is definitely progress in many parts of the Muslim world.

I am in no situation to say how accurate or inaccurate the information in this books s but I have faith that the author has done enough research before writing the book. I also understand that there are exceptions everywhere. For me, this books definitely deserves a place on my shelf. I highly recommend it.

Muslim Women Reformers: Inspiring Voices Against Oppression is a scholarly yet heart-rending anthology of portraits of Muslim women who dare to speak out against discrimination and violence perpetrated against women in Islamic communities in nations all over the globe, from Afghanistan to Bangladesh, Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Pakistan, and many more - even some Muslim communities in more western or modern nations such as France or Egypt. "Background" sections briefly summarize the severity of each nation's local religious policies where women are concerned; in extreme cases are incidents of "honor killings", where women are murdered by male relatives - allegedly for bringing dishonor to the family, but in practice often for the slightest ill rumor, or even as a cold-blooded means to steal an inheritance. The women who dare to speak out and take action in "Muslim Women Reformers" risk slander, attack, or even murder for daring to take a stand; yet even as they struggle against an entrenched, misogynist, theocratic power base, they hold out hope for a better tomorrow. Muslim Women Reformers deserves the absolute highest recommendation, and a place on both public and college library women's studies shelves.

In Muslim Women Reformers, Ida Lichter does an exhaustive survey of the state of Muslim womens' rights in countries around the world and profiles women and organizations in each country working on the issues. While there is some degree of suppression of womens' rights in each country as compared to Western countries, there are differences with some countries completely restrictive while some have started work on the issues.

The book covers the mid-Eastern countries that the reader would expect, but also covers Muslim women's rights and struggles in African countries as well as countries such as the United States and Canada. The range of issues is wide. Women are often considered legally half the worth of a man. Honor killings are tolerated in some countries. Education is a major issue in all the countries, as the reformers realise that without an educated female population, it is unlikely that reform will occur. Female circumsion is very common in some Muslim countries, less so in others. In some countries, focus has been concentrated on items as seemingly prosaic as a woman's right to drive a car. While this is a commonplace right in Western societies, it is not as accepted in many countries. There are issues with driving uncovered; taking a driver's license picture, and the ability to travel without male supervision.

The women who have been highlighted are heroes. They have given up employment, been imprisoned, forced to live in secretcy, and even tortued. Yet, they continue the fight, and slowly, slowly they are making changes. Some are adamently opposed to Islam. Others are devout Muslims who believe that the religion has been misinterpreted by male clerics. They want to redefine Islam in a way that promotes gender equality, which they believe was the original intent.

This book is recommended reading for all those interested in human rights, and especially those focused on womens' rights. The sustained courage and vision of these women is awe-inspiring, and it makes the reader question how far would they be willing to go to fight for their rights in a similiar situation.

Imagine a life where, as a woman, you cannot leave the house without accompaniment by a male relative, or where you can be bartered off as payment for a family debt. Where the length of the stick your husband can beat you with is prescribed by law, or in the case that you are raped, you may well be stoned to death. These and many more startling things happen to women every day in Muslim countries around the world. In this eye opening non-fiction compilation, Ida Lichter has brought to us the voices of women subjugated by their culture and religion. In their own words, they share their public and private thoughts and accomplishments in their efforts to release the stranglehold of subjugation that hangs darkly from Muslim women's necks. We learn about the oppression of women in Afghanistan, where those who chose not to marry the men selected by their families are at risk of honor killings, and about the rights that are withheld from women for educational advancement. We share in the horror of Algerian women who are kidnapped, made sexual slaves and are then murdered, and hear of marriages taking place between elderly men and children in Bahrain. From Syria to Nigeria, Pakistan to Kuwait, the plight of Muslim women unfolds in all its terrifying realities.

What I read here shocked and horrified me. I don't think many Western women consider themselves in relation to our Muslim sisters who suffer these abuses every day. As I read and learned, I began to see that the women who had chosen to fight these regimes and attitudes were not only courageous but instilled with a love for the women of their culture that far outstripped anything that the men, even those of the same family, could claim to have. As one of the reformers reflects, it's not really about women's rights, it's about human rights. As far as I could see, the Muslim women who are suffering each day under oppression and cruelty aren't granted even the most basic human rights. I was stunned to learn that the traditional head-to-toe covering of Muslim women can lead to vitamin D deficiency due to lack of sunlight and this can cause softening of the bones. It was also disheartening to hear that women were engaging in acts of self-immolation to escape their terrible existences and choices. Child rape and kidnapping are common against Muslim women, where they're held in such low esteem that it takes the voices of two women to equal that of one man in a court of law.

But the book doesn't only deal with the oppression of Muslim women, because most of its story lies in the acts of the women reformers who are constantly speaking out in order for the world to be informed and to manifest changes. Often these women are targeted for death or imprisoned and tortured for speaking out. Countless have had to go into hiding and a few sleep in the same dwelling only two or three nights at a time. A few have been killed by bombs or cut down in a hail of bullets. When they succeed in having laws changed to protect other Muslim women, the changes seem to magically disappear from finished documents or are ignored altogether. The religious leaders of their communities speak out against them, turning them into social pariahs running not only from their community, but from those who want to see them killed. Many have had fatwas placed upon their heads. The avarice that rains down on them continually is life altering and severe.

But stunningly, they continue to lead, to resist, to fight, and to speak. When one avenue is closed to them, they move onwards to another. They create foundations such as RAWA ( The Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan) and start grassroots magazines like Zanan (meaning "women" in Farsi) that grow to be widely read and influential. They fight the gender injustice through journalism and win awards and accolades from all over the world. They take heart in every small advancement and cherish their hope for Muslim women in their breast every day. Through every situation and every attack of violence, they persist in letting their countries and the rest of the world know that Muslim women's voices will be heard. They live in the hope that the female children of the Muslim nations will one day rise up and take their place beside the men, in equality. They spearhead and chair organizations for women and children's rights and they travel far and wide to educate and engage other nations in the things they so passionately fight for. They are courageous and uplifting, and inspire the rest of the world to join with them in understanding and reform.

While I was reading this book I was by turns sickened and awed. The no-nonsense presentation of the material made such a deep impression on me that at times it produced an awed fascination at the risks these women take everyday. This is more of a reference book than one you would read cover to cover, but as I browsed through it, I found I couldn't keep myself from stopping throughout each section to read more about these amazing women. Coming from a mindset that was ignorant of a lot of these issues, I urge other readers to pick up this book and explore not only a topic that deserves the most serious attention, but to share in the wonder of the women who make it their life's missions to thwart the oppression of Muslim women.

This book opened my eyes to the sad, ongoing, sometimes painful struggles of Muslim women around the world against distorted teachings. Lichter researches very thoroughly the biographies of brave Muslim women activists worldwide struggling for justice, human rights, education, and healthcare for their female compatriots. There are literally hundreds of such women, many of whose lives are threatened, with different challenges unique to their communities. Lichter's voluminous work is impressive. She includes, without discrimination, all activists - from those whom are deeply practicing to those whom have denounced Islam, yet continue to concern themselves with lives of Muslim women. Her voice is fair, neither commendatory towards Islam nor feminist, and she often cites the true teachings of Islam as well as their distorted practice.

Whilst avoiding jargon and moral judgments, this book gives Muslim women reformers an opportunity to voice their ideas for progress in societies they describe as backward and misogynist. It also gives many in the West much-needed hope for positive change in the Muslim world.

The section on Saudi Arabia, although rather long in comparison with those of other countries, is accurate and informative. Sadly, women in most of Saudi Arabia are obliged by law and culture to wear the niqab that covers the face apart from slits for the eyes. Some religious authorities have even insisted that the niqab should be more restricted, exposing only one eye. Jeddah is an exception, although even here, it was reported that a female surgeon complained about the religious police who threaten women with sticks if they are not wearing abayas and veils. The same police prevented the escape of students trapped in a fire at a girls' school in Mecca because they were not wearing the hijab required for the public space.

In the section on Muslim male supporters of women's rights, I was surprised to learn that Islamic lawmakers had forbidden Muslim slave girls and non-Muslim women to wear the veil, implying they were fair game for sexual exploitation.

In "Muslim Women Reformers," author Ida Lichter has adopted a meticulous research approach in her anthology of activists.
I like the way this book is divided, making it easy to find activists in any of the twenty seven countries listed in alphabetical order. The glossary at the back is also very useful.

Human rights issues are universal and these Muslim women are given recognition for speaking out against gender oppressions that would be considered punishable criminal offences in the West.

Giving them the attention they deserve and helping them achieve equal gender rights in education, health care and legislation, may eventually bring their suffering to an end.

While I applaud any literature that recognizes the struggles of women in the Muslim world, I had trouble with this book. I was excited about the title and reviews and book premise when I looked over the book. I ordered it and began to read, what I found disturbed me.

As an American Feminist who used to live in Saudi Arabia I can say without a doubt that the country's treatment of women is deplorable. That the religious police have way to much power and the separation and restrictions placed on women can be downright soul crushing at times. I fully believe this country and many others need change and that there are women and men working to make this happen.

However as a former resident of Saudi I also spotted the exaggerations and inaccuracies in this book. Starting with the declaration that all women are required to wear Niqab, this is simply not true. As an American I wore conservative loose clothing and occasionally an abbaya but I was not required to cover either my hair or face. Some Saudi women wore niqab, some covered even their eyes others were bare faced (though their hair was covered). Also the claims that women are relegated to poorer quality eating areas is also false. Women and families (this included young men and men married to the adult women with them) were required to sit in the "family" section, while single adult men were required to sit in the "mens" section. The family sections were significantly nicer than the "men's" section. I know because I peeked.

I recognize that the conditions described may be true in some areas of the country but they certainly are not universal or really even that common (I've been to several parts of the country and have friends in many others).

So this misrepresentation in this book causes me to ask where the author got her information. I'm not sure how I can read this book with any degree of faith, given what I already know to be untrue. Do these countries need change? Absolutely. But misrepresenting the situation is not the best way to start. No one in these countries will take the need for change seriously if they see straight away that those making the arguments are basing their claims on false information. This may do even more harm than good.

I also had an American friend who lived in Yemen check the Yemen section. She found the same thing to be true as I did for the Saudi section. For the record, she absolutely hated living in Yemen as a woman and was thrilled when it was finally time to leave.

This book has a nice premise, but it's exaggerations and inaccuracies make it impossible to read with any degree of faith that other claims are accurately represented.

Muslim Women Reformers: Inspiring Voices Against Oppression

I recommend that all who recognize the probability of half the world's population being Muslim in the next 25 years read "Muslim Women Reformers: Inspiring Voices Agains Oppression" by Dr. Ida Lichter.

It is generally accepted that a positive attitudinal change is only possible and will only occur in the whole of the Muslim population if girls and women are educated. However, as this book so clearly describes, there are major political, cultural and economic issues which will have to be overcome to enable the changes required to lessen the risk of global chaos.

The book is instructive as to the severity of the problems being addressed by a few dedicated and very brave women. These remarkable women, mostly unknown in the developed societies, have suffered greatly and risked even worse punishment by a seemingly intransigent, male dominated, political and social structure.

Dr. Lichter does us all a service by so well highlighting the history and activities of those few women who are sacrificing themselves in the hope of making a positive difference. It is only through the education and empowerment of Muslim women that there is any real hope of cultural rationalization and conflict avoidance.

The unbelievably brave women profiled in this book should be recognized and supported, as they are the only hope for a civilizing of Islamic traditional practices, still widely prevalent.

Arthur Lipper
Del Mar, CA