On July 16th, 2015, KARAMAH’s executive director, Aisha Rahman took part in a panel discussion on “Religious Freedom and Women’s Rights” at Georgetown University’s Berkley Center. The panel was part of a day-long conference titled “Religious Freedom: Rising Threats to a Fundamental Human Right.” Ms. Rahman was joined by Helen Alvare, (George Mason Law School) Elizabeth Cassidy, (United States Commission on International Religious Freedom) and Jacqueline Rivers (Harvard Kennedy School). The panel, moderated by Claudia Winkler, (Senior Project Associate with the Religious Freedom Project).
The panelists discussed religious persecution women face around the world today and women’s role in religious conflict and peace building. With 77% of the world’s population living in religiously repressive countries today, this conversation is particularly important, and even more so for women and girls. In many parts of the world, women are persecuted and targeted not only on the basis of their religion, but also their gender. The Berkley Center’s panel called attention to these issues, and how they are not restricted by faith or geography.
Ms. Rahman highlighted the issue of the headscarf ban as a major plight that afflicts Muslim girls and women in some European countries. France, as a case in point, bans the display of “conspicuous” religious symbols in public schools, which prevents many Muslim girls from wearing their headscarves to school. For Muslim girls who believe that wearing the headscarf is a religious mandate, this law is a flagrant infringement upon their religious freedom. The ban also faces these girls with the dilemma of choosing between their religious convictions and attending school. Ms. Rahman also drew attention to the non-recognition of the Islamic marriage contract in the UK and its ramifications on Muslim women’s financial rights in marriage and upon divorce. In fact, while the Islamic marriage contract is binding under Islamic Law, it is not recognized as marriage under UK law and unless the couple conducts a civil marriage, they are not eligible for any rights under UK law.
The discussion went on of the role women play as leaders and teachers of faith across religious denominations. Ms. Rahman emphasized KARAMAH’s efforts in spreading an enlightened understanding of Islam and promoting inter-religious tolerance. Ms. Rahman asserted that religious freedom is essential in Islam and “advocating for Islam is advocating for religious freedom.” A true understanding of Islam easily reveals that religious freedom is granted by God, for He unequivocally said: “There shall be no coercion in religion” (Quran: 2, 256). Moreover, valuable lessons on religious freedom and tolerance can be drawn from Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)’s Charter of Madina upon which was established the first Islamic state which included Muslims and non-Muslims as one Ummah (nation). See text of the Charter here.
During the Q & A session, Ms. Rahman was asked how Islam reconciles with extremists’ persecution of Christians in the Middle East. Ms. Rahman pointed to Prophet Muhammad’s promise to Christians which he issued back in 628 AD when a delegation from St. Catherine’s Monastery came to him and requested his protection. Prophet Muhammad’s promise holds Muslims responsible for protecting Christians, their clergy and places of worship till the end of times and equated ill treatment of Christians to violating God’s covenant. (See on KARAMAH’s website: “Prophet Muhammad’s Promise to Christians”)
Though each panelist came from varying educational, religious, and professional backgrounds, they found common ground in that women are agents of change and action, both in their faith, and in their larger communities. Women make up the majority of religious practitioners and play a significant role in their communities. Therefore, they are in a position to affect greater change from a grassroots level to better their own condition and that of others.
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