We face an ongoing struggle to be heard. This denies us the very agency that is claimed we don’t have in the first place
Rebecca Solnit, in “Men Explain Things to Me” writes: “Every woman who appears wrestles with the forces that would have her disappear. She struggles with the forces that would tell her story for her, or write her out of the story … (T)he ability to tell your own story, in words or images, is already a victory, already a revolt.” While Solnit makes this declaration in relation to the struggle of women at large, it is a statement that resonates in a different and very personal way for many Muslim women.
For some, we are a caricature to be shaped and moulded to fit an image already constructed. For others, we are the nameless victims in a saviour story where the saviour – a hero or heroine – is more important and consequential than the supposed victim. For yet others, we are academic subjects analysed within a theory designed to validate conclusions already reached.
All too rarely are Muslim women acknowledged as living breathing beings, with real voices of our own. Voices that are often raised but rarely heard, let alone listened to. For many Muslim women, to be the understudy in your own story, to be relegated to the wings of life’s stage while others say your lines for you, is our reality.
Because everyone is an expert when it comes to Muslim women. An older male politician arguing for a ban on the dress of Muslim women because they need to be saved. A journalist who has barely had a conversation with a Muslim woman but writes that Muslim women are oppressed. The only qualification needed to be an expert is an opinion that you are willing to share. In contrast, any Muslim woman who dares to suggest that she is empowered by her faith is characterised as being complicit in the oppression of women.
Categories: Americas, Arab World, Asia, Europe, Islam
Women’s life under Progressive Islam:
1. Women are treated equal to men, no discrimination. Promote women become a political leader, imam of mosque, and and join international olympic.
2. Progressive Muslim do not promote women to wear Burga or Hijab at public place—
3. Progressive Muslim reject flogging woman in public place like In Saudi Arabia, Isis and Taliban.
Women’s life under the extremist Islamic law.( ISIS )
1. Women are not treated equal to men.
2. Women is obligated to wear burqa or hijab
3. Women’s position in public is as second class: can be a political leader— as Imam at mosque—at home—
4. Women are forbidden to go out side without a guadian male—shake hand with male— sit side by side with male—sing song at public— using perfume.
5. Women are forbidden to join at International sport in olympic
Progressive Muslim bring women live in dignity, happiness and prosperity to lead to Heaven
All ❤️
Please do not erase or delate my comment
you are not listening to the Muslim ladies: they say that you do not need to speak for them. Let them speak for themselves.
You are right Rafiq— we give women the right to speak for them— we prevent the extremist leaders to take the right of women to speak and to choose their lifestyle-like in Saudi Arabia .
❤️