Women in Islam (At Issue Series)

Grade 9 Up–This volume focuses on current debates about women's role in Islam and includes essays presenting the three main schools of thought on the subject. Traditionalists argue that Islam liberates women because there is an innate distinction between the sexes and, if interpreted correctly, celebrates this distinction. Feminists argue that the religion oppresses women and favor complete secularization of Islamic societies and equal legal rights for women. Progressives argue that an Islamic framework is needed for women's rights and believe that there are many passages from the Koran regarding women that have either been ignored or misinterpreted. As is often the case in collections of this type, the essays are somewhat uneven in quality, with those by progressive Muslim women being perhaps the strongest and most interesting. A list of contact information for related organizations and a bibliography of books, most of which represent the progressive point of view, are included. Purchase where needed for reports.–Kathleen E. Gruver, Burlington County Library, Westampton, NJ
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