KARAMAH Welcomes Egyptian Delegation for Domestic Violence Workshop

As a continuation of KARAMAH’s campaign to fight domestic violence and promote women’s rights, KARAMAH welcomed a delegation of Egyptian women law students, government officials, demonstrators, teaching assistants and instructors to discuss issues of women’s rights in Islam and domestic violence from an Islamic perspective.

On September 12, Chair and Founder of KARAMAH Dr. Azizah al-Hibri, along with Executive Director Aisha Rahman, lectured nine women during the workshop titled “Promoting Muslim Women’s Rights in the U.S.and Abroad.”

KARAMAH was founded on the Qur’anic principle that God has given dignity to all the children of Adam (17:70), and Assistant Director of Programs Eugene Hummel gave an introduction emphasizing the ways in which KARAMAH’s programming reflects this principle. He specifically addressed KARAMAH’s special commitment to women’s rights as guaranteed in the Qur’an and traditional and modern jurisprudence.

Ms. Aisha Rahman, an attorney specializing in domestic violence and family law, directed the participants in an interactive discussion through a series of case studies, illustrating the many aftershocks of domestic violence in Muslim communities. While domestic violence transcends cultural and religious boundaries, there are unique concerns for victims in Muslim communities. Ms. Rahman stressed also the differences between religion and culture, distinctions often overlooked within Muslim communities themselves.

Dr. al-Hibri concluded the training by citing the Qur’an and discussing Islamic jurisprudence reiterating Islam’s gender equitable principles. She gave special credence to passages discussing the creation of man and woman—passages which stress equity in humanity.

The speakers and members of the delegation exchanged knowledge and perspectives on the cultural implications of domestic violence and the protections and limitations of DV law, making for a comparative dialogue about women’s rights in theU.S.andEgypt. KARAMAH seeks to engage more delegations from abroad in comprehensive workshops, such as this one, so as to build a global movement of women leaders capable of combating tough issues within their respective communities.