When gay people openly assert their identities as such, whether through parades or through the demand for full and equal social recognition, reactionaries cannot stand it. Why? Two answers, one personal and one political.
In this new book, Margot Badran poses the questions, "Islamic feminism. What is it? Where did it arise? From within or from without? Is it "legitimate"? What are its aims?"
Zainah Anwar of Sisters in Islam writes, "The struggle of all feminists in all religions and cultures is similar. [...] They have all been accused of being against their religion [...] It is not religion but patriarchy that is oppressive of women."
Deux publications récentes, celle de Tariq Ramadan d'un côté, celle du cardinal Ratzinger de l'autre [1] donnent l'occasion à l'auteure de revenir sur le fond de ses divergences avec la hiérarchie catholique et le prédicateur musulman.
Jewish objections to Iran's shameful conference have been given prominence in the media. Unfortunately, Muslim voices of outrage have not. This serves to reinforce negative stereotypes of Muslims as Jew-haters and fanatics which is not the case.
Ani Zonneveld writes about the first WISE conference which dealt with the creation of a Shura Council to contribute to an interpretation of the Quran in a modern context. Of course not everyone agreed with a need for such a Council.
We are pleased to announce that the third Feminist Dialogues, "Transforming Democracy: Feminist Visions and Strategies" will be held from 17-19 January 2007, in Nairobi, Kenya just prior to the next World Social Forum.
