Comparing And Contrasting Views Of Islam

Introduction

The purpose of this paper is to explore contrasting views of Islam to conclude the diverse ways gender equality is interpreted, primarily when analysing the Qur’an. Sisters in Islam, Jihad Watch and Why Islam respectively demonstrate progressive, anti-Islamic and modernist views. Through an examination of the listed websites, it will be substantiated how gender equality is construed in the three contrasting categories of Islam. An examination of scholarly literature and a comparison of perceptions of Islam construed through the media will first take place. These foundations will focus on gender equality within Islam to better form a sound perception of the topic. Following the exploration, each listed website will be analysed and

Abdulai Abukari’s article ‘Education of Women in Islam: A Critical Islamic Interpretation of the Quran’ perceives the minor focus on women’s rights in readings as a correlation from the majority of Qur’an interpretations being male dominated (2014). Nowrin Tamanna supports this premise in her article ‘Recognition of 'difference' in Shari'a: a feminist scrutiny through the lens of substantive equality’, stating that while some provisions of Muslim law in the matter of family law, divorce, maintenance etc. suggest an inequity favouring men over women, Islamic feminists alternatively argue that these ideologies are not supported by Islamic values and principles (2013). From this evidence, it is undeniable that a significant amount of literature identifies a strong emphasis on equality from the values within the Qur’an. The media’s interpretation of Islam alters significantly from the scholarly interpretation. In the Western media, Muslim women are overwhelmingly portrayed as oppressed and pitied, conversely Veronica Kostenko references a number of authors who believe Muslim women are rejecting the stereotype and having their voices and opinions be heard (2016). Though media still has an influential role on the perception of Muslims. Canadian website Media Smarts has an article looking at the role media has on the portrayal of Islam. The article notes Muslim women are stereotypically portrayed as having less power when compared to men. Furthermore, it is written that the most common words used in media to portray Muslim women are “‘segregated’, ‘beaten’, ‘insults’, ‘veil’, ‘freedom’, ‘religion’, ‘hatred’, ‘human rights’ and ‘extremism’” (n.d.). Reference is also made to crime shows and how Muslim women are typically characterised as the victim of a violent act, typically domestic violence. Halim Rane’s book ‘Islam and Contemporary Civilisation’ shares similar