The first International Congress on Islamic Feminism assembled over 400 delegates. During the course of the meeting, it became clear that Islamic feminism is a reality in many countries with a majority Muslim population. The Congress heard from women fighting for their rights and working in very difficult conditions against the implementation, in the name of Islam, of highly sexist and discriminatory family codes of behaviour.
Discussions were held on diversity and feminism, Koranic hermeneutics, Islamism and feminism, and other topics. There was also an exploration of the situation of Muslim women in South East Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. There was a particularly moving moment when Amina Wadud, lecturer in Islamic Studies at the Commonwealth University of Virginia (USA), gave the Friday khutba (sermon) and led a mixed male/female audience in prayer
Presentation on Islamic Feminism
by Abdennur Prado
Catalan Islamic Board
Islamic feminism: its discontents and its prospects
by Valentine Moghadam
Chief of Gender Equality and Development Section of UNESCO
Presentation of Mufuliat Fijabi Dasola
by Mufuliat Fijabi Dasola
BAOBAB for Women’s Human Rights
Qur’anic Hermeneutics and Women’s Liberation
by Asma Barlas
Islam and Women’s Rights
by Zainah Anwar
Executive Director of Sisters in Islam
