Women in Islam

The status of women in Islam is a contentious issue. In places the Qur'an says women are equal to men before God; in places women are commanded to be considered property of men and to be valued at half of what men are valued.^[1] In addition, the treatment of women in islamic countries varies; while not directly commanded by the letter of the Qur'an, religious arguments are used to justify women's rights.

Women are two units of a pair. The Quran says: "O mankind! surely We have created you of a male and a female, and made you tribes and families that you may know each other; surely the most honorable of you with Allah is the one among you most careful (of his duty); surely Allah is Knowing, Aware." (Quran 49:13). ^[2], ^[3]. Meaning that they complement each other in numerous ways both in mental, physical and emotional qualities. Islam looks at the different responsibilities of each gender. These responsibilities are defined as being the traditional family structure, where women are responsible for the household and men are responsible for earning the livelihood for the family. However women in Islam are seen as independent and self reliant individuals, therefore challenging the traditional view of a family structure.^[4]

Women in the Islamic World have achieved high political status and have produced more than seven head of states including Benazir Bhutto of Pakistan, Mame Madior Boye of Senegal, Tansu Çiller of Turkey, Queen Rania of Jordan, Kaqusha Jashari of Kosovo, Megawati Sukarnoputri of Indonesia and Bangladesh was the first country in the world to have a female head-of-state follow one another four times between Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina — each winning two elections each. ^[5]. Other than this women in Islamic countries have also become the vice president as seen with Masoumeh Ebtekar in Iran.

The complex relationship between women and Islam is defined by both Islamic texts and the history and culture of the Muslim world.^[6] Sharia (Islamic law) provides for differences

between women's and men's roles, rights, and obligations. Muslim-majority countries give women varying degrees of rights with regards to marriage, divorce, civil rights, legal status, dress code, and education based on different interpretations.

Even where these differences are acknowledged, scholars and other commentators vary as to whether they are just and whether they are a correct interpretation of religious imperatives. Conservatives argue that differences between men and women are due to different status and responsibilities,^[7] while liberal Muslims, Muslim feminists, and others argue in favor of more original, traditional interpretations.