Egypt: Islamic sisters advance

Egypte is probably home to women's movements in the muslim world. In the beginning of the 20th century, the first advocates of improving women's rights like Qasim Amin opened the debate about the problematic conditions in which muslim women lived. Various women's movements ranging from the more liberal one led by Huda Sharawi, Egyptien Women's Union, to the islamic women's movement led by Zaynab al-Ghazali, the Association of Muslim Women. There have also been writers and journalists defending women's rights, such as the novelist Nawal el-Saadawi, who recently declared herself candidate in the upcoming presidential election.

The September issue of "le Monde Diplomatique" carries this article "Egypt: Islamic sisters advance" about the new forms of islamic women's movement.

"The novelist Nawal el-Saadawi declared herself a candidate for the presidential elections, not hoping or intending to win, but to symbolise the new assertiveness of Egyptian women. Others who are active Muslims are determined on greater equality in public and private life read more...

Categories: Africa, Culture, Islam, Middle-East, Women