Muslim Women's Choices: Religious Belief and Social Reality

by Camillia Fawzi El-Solh (Editor), Judy Mabro (Editor)

Overview

This volume counters the prevailing Western views and stereotypes of Muslim women - usually projected through male interpretations - by presenting a cross-cultural perspective of their experiences and choices in contemporary Muslim communities. The main theme running through these papers is the manner in which Muslim women consciously as well as unconsciously manipulate religious belief to negotiate their gender roles within the context of their lives.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780854968350
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	02/17/1994
Series:	Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Women
Pages:	216
Product dimensions:	5.44(w) x 8.50(h) x (d)

About the Author

Camillia Fawzi El-Solh Research Associate,Centre for Cross-Cultural Research on Women, University of Oxford Judy Mabro Freelance Editor

Table of Contents

Introduction, C.F. El-Solh and J. Mabro; separation and reconciliation - marital conflict among the Muslim poor in Cairo, H. Watson; strategies of selection - differing notions of marriage in Iran and Morocco, Z. Mir-Hosseini; Islam and gender - the Nigerian case, G. Thomas-Emeagwali; separate but more than equal - Muslim women at the Cape, R. Ridd; mixed motives - Islam, nationalism and Mevluds in an unstable Yugoslavia, C. Soragbji; guardians of the faith? - gender and religion in an (ex) Soviet Tajik village, G. Tett; Islam in Azerbaijan - the position of women, T. Dragadze; women's labour in the Bangladesh garment industry - choices and constraints, N. Kabeer; gender relations and Islamic resurgence in Mindanao, Southern Philippines, J. Siapno.

Editorial Reviews

...the editors and contributors...aid in our understanding of the impact of current political and social events on women.” —MAN

“...a strong anthology examining a broad range of contemporary women's experiences.” —The Bookwatch

“It is particularly striking to see the very flexible and varied way that Islam is interpreted and used by women to negotiate their lives and responsibilities.” —British Jourbanal of Middle Eastern Studies

“...this collection exemplifies...the acknowledgement of human agency, that people (even women) have options and constantly make choices among them. ...By including societies until recently ignored in Muslim studies, the editors underscore the reach of Muslim culture. ...Especially relevant and welcome are the contrasts between women living in majority and minority Muslim communities, and studies of communities not frequently researched.” —MEWS Review

“presents an image of Muslim women different from the western perception which tends to be narrowly confined to the concepts of confinement, subjugation and segregation” —Development

From the Publisher

presents an image of Muslim women different from the western perception which tends to be narrowly confined to the concepts of confinement, subjugation and segregation

Development

...this collection exemplifies...the acknowledgement of human agency, that people (even women) have options and constantly make choices among them. ...By including societies until recently ignored in Muslim studies, the editors underscore the reach of Muslim culture. ...Especially relevant and welcome are the contrasts between women living in majority and minority Muslim communities, and studies of communities not frequently researched.

MEWS Review

It is particularly striking to see the very flexible and varied way that Islam is interpreted and used by women to negotiate their lives and responsibilities.

British Journal of Middle Eastern Studies

...a strong anthology examining a broad range of contemporary women's experiences.

The Bookwatch

...the editors and contributors...aid in our understanding of the impact of current political and social events on women.

MAN