Women empowerment is not possible only through arguing for gender equality, and this is where feminism goes wrong, said Varsha Basheer, Islamophobia Research and Documentation Project (IRDP) scholar from the University of California, Berkeley.
Describing feminism as “anti-woman”, Dr. Basheer said those leading a religious life had the responsibility to make constructive interventions in matters affecting society at large. She was inaugurating a session on ‘Women and renaissance’ at an international colloquium on reform organised by the Academy for
Islamic Study and Research at Kottakkal on Saturday.
Dr. Basheer called upon the Muslim leadership to recognise the multifaceted roles of women in Islam. “The leadership has the responsibility to ascertain if there is any truth in criticisms being raised against Islam and Muslims,” she said. Dr. Basheer called upon the community to introspect if its attitudes and deeds were partly responsible for the challenges posed by Islamophobia.
The freedom granted to women in Islam, including the freedom to pray in mosques, should be restored, she said.
Muslim Girls’ and Women’s Movement (MGM) president Khadeeja Nargis presided over the function. Scholars Salma Anvaria, Muhsina Pathanapuram, Khadeeja Mangad, Noorjahan K., Abida Farooqui, Fasna Mian, Afifa Punur, Taslina Kuzhipuram, and Rafida Changaramkulam spoke.
Inaugurating a session on ‘Kerala Muslim renaissance’, E.T. Mohammed Basheer, MP, said selfishness should not get in the way of any reform movement. He added that the Muslim community looked poised to undergo a major transformation if perceived from modernity’s standpoint. U.P. Yahya Khan presided over the session.
District Panchayat President A.P. Unnikrishnan inaugurated a session on ‘Renaissance and cultural exchanges’. Historian V. Kunhali presided. C.M. Moulavi inaugurated a session on ‘Art and creativity’.