In March 2002, fifteen girls died when Saudi religious police blocked rescue efforts and left victims to perish in a blazing school. But this time the sheikhs are being held to account and pressure for reform is growing.
In Pakistan, the blasphemy law has only acted as a catalyst to abuse the innocent in the name of religious honour. Is Islam so brittle and vulnerable that it can easily be dishonoured by a so-called 'insane' statement?
In April the state government, led by the opposition Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS), proposed a bill to institute new laws governing rape. It was set to be tabled in the State government special assembly in July.
Women's rights in Muslim laws is a topic that has become more and more sensitive with the passing of Sharia Acts in several states in Nigeria. This began with Zamfara State in November 1999, but presently also includes Niger, Sokoto, and Kano.
A Nigerian woman and co-ordinator of BAOBAB for Women's Human Rights, Ayesha Imam has been selected as this year's John Humphrey Freedom Award recipient for her work in support of women's rights whether under Muslim, secular, or customary laws.
Malaysian women's groups have warned that plans to enact strict Islamic laws in an opposition-ruled state would be a leap backwards in the fight for gender equality.
In a landmark judgment last week, the Bombay High Court ruled that divorces between Muslim couples will now have to be "convincingly proved in a court of law under the civil procedure court and the Indian Evidence Act."
