For decades, women across the whole of the Muslim world have suffered oppression, poverty, and indignity under corrupt repressive regimes, dysfunctional economies, and incompetent autocratic governments that have turned a blind-eye to abuses against women and stripped them of basic rights. Whether monarchies, theocracies, democracies or dictatorships - every single one has failed to secure the respect and rights that every woman deserves.
Regardless of the introduction of laws and the establishment of global women's organisations, women the world over remain disadvantaged. Some argue that the Gender Equality movement has made worse the problems that women suffer since they are now expected to be equal to a man, work as hard as a man, and commit as much as a man, not taking into consideration at all the biological differences between men and women.
Regardless of the introduction of laws and the establishment of global women's organisations, women the world over remain disadvantaged. Some argue that the Gender Equality movement has made worse the problems that women suffer since they are now expected to be equal to a man, work as hard as a man, and commit as much as a man, not taking into consideration at all the biological differences between men and women.
Islam on the other hand is not gender based. It came as a mercy to mankind and not to cause a battle of the sexes, which will always bring about an imbalance. Whilst women were struggling with the right to vote, women in Madina during the time of the Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم were entitled to vote and had an obligation to assume a political voice. It was a woman who accounted Umar ibn Khattab (the second rightly guided khaleefah) when he attempted to set a limit on the dowry that women could request. Aisha (ra) was revered for her extensive knowledge, often giving rulings to the sahabah when there was a dispute.
Women are permitted to be employees and employers. She can trade, be a teacher, nuclear physicist, own and sell property and enter into various economic transactions. Annemarie Schimmel, the influential German Orientalist and scholar stated: "Islamic progress meant an enormous progress; the woman has the right, at least according to the letter of the law, to administer the wealth she has brought into the family or has earned by her own work."
It was Fatima al Fihri under the Khilafah that built the first university in 841 CE. A well educated woman herself, she opened the al-Qarawiyin in Fez, Morocco. Amongst other subjects, the sciences were also taught at the university.
Most importantly, while Islam granted the woman the above rights, simultaneously her honour and dignity was safeguarded such that she was protected from having her femininity exploited. That is in stark contrast to what women the world over face today in the workplace, in the media and the wider society, where she faces insurmountable pressures to balance career, family, as well as meet the unrealistic standards upheld by the fashion and cosmetic industries, bombarding females young and old with false images of ‘perfection’.
Are these the kinds of values that Muslim women want to live by? Values of man made systems that seek only benefit from the exploitation of the woman, bringing her nothing but misery and injustice, OR a superior values system set for all of mankind by the Creator of mankind?
It was Khaleefah Al-Mu’tassim who sent an entire army to the Roman Empire upon hearing that a Muslim woman had been dishonoured by a Roman soldier.
Upon understanding the real protection and nurturing that a Khilafah state would bring men and women alike, is it any wonder that there is an overwhelming call for its return. The vast majority of those polled in a Gallup survey in 2005 said that they would want to see Shari'ah as the sole source of legislation. It is only the Khilafah that will ensure the rights of all citizens, men and women, Muslim and non- Muslim. History bears testimony to that fact. Islam is as applicable today as it was before the destruction of the Khilafah in 1924. Allah سبحانه وتعالى tells us as much in the Holy Qur'an:
الْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِي وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ الإِسْلاَمَ دِينًا
"This day I have perfected your deen for you and completed my favour upon you and chosen Islam as your deen." (al-Maidah, 5:3)
Women of Hizb ut-Tahrir Launch International Campaign – “The Khilafah : A bright Model for Women’s Rights and Political Role”
There needs to be a new political vision to bring real change to the regions women, to establish a future of true dignity, justice and prosperity for all, male and female, Muslim and non-Muslim.
The women of Hizb ut-Tahrir from across the world, including here in Australia, have launched a global campaign entitled, “The Khilafah : A bright Model for Women’s Rights and Political Role” that will culminate in a truly historic International Women’s Conference in Tunisia on the 10th of March, the week of International Women’s Day. The conference will gather female opinion makers from across the Muslim world and beyond to present a detailed vision of what the Khilafah ruling system based purely upon Islamic laws and principles would mean to the status, rights, and lives of women. Both the campaign and conference aim to explain how the Khilafah holds credible, viable, and practical solutions to the multitude of political, economic, and social problems afflicting women across the Muslim world. It will also challenge the worn-out narrative of women’s oppression under Islamic rule.
The campaign will include video messages, delivered by women of Hizb –ut-Tahrir from the Arab world to North Africa, Europe to the Middle East, Pakistan to Indonesia, Russia to Australia, which will be disseminated internationally. They will explain why they believe that only the Khilafah system offers a detailed unique strategy for how to secure the dignity of women, strong family units, and the political, economic, and educational rights of all – male and female, Muslim and non-Muslim.
Why Tunisia?
Tunisia was once considered a true example of secularism in the Muslim world, and praised as a model for women’s rights by many in the West, even though the Muslimah was stripped of her hijab, as well as many of her basic rights! Many have spoken on behalf of Muslim women, presenting a false and outdated argument that Muslim women view Islam as their oppressor, and that they reject the Islamic system of governance, seeking their liberation through the secular democratic system; Alhamdulillah this could not be further from the truth, as we have seen our sisters the world over declaring that it is Islam and only Islam that can guarantee her dignity and honour and restore her to the elevated position in society, as given to her by Allah (swt)!
We call all women who believe in creating real change in improving the lives of women to join us at this truly historic conference that will present a true model by which to establish honour, security, and justice for the mothers and daughters of the Muslim world and that will stand as a beacon for women’s liberation globally.
Sydney, 1st March 2012
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