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Reuters - May 10, 2006
US Muslim women Americanizing mosques, book finds
By Michael Conlon
CHICAGO (Reuters) - The face Muslim women present to America is as diverse as the faith itself -- and one that is changing as waves of often impoverished immigrants come to the United States.
That is part of the picture that emerges from a new book shedding light on the lives of Muslim women by way of well-crafted profiles of more than four dozen of them, cutting across cultures and lifestyles.
"Part of what we found is that the United States is one of the best places in the world for women to practice Islam because they do have freedom, because of our ideas about women having careers and a voice in houses of worship," said Donna Gehrke-White, author of "The Face Behind the Veil" (Citadel Press).
"Muslim women here have much more to say in how the religion is practiced," challenging some traditions such as separate entrances and second-rate worship spaces in some mosques, she said in an interview. "In some countries women don't even go to mosques."
"The other thing is that women are Americanizing the mosques, bringing in Brownie (scout) troops, self-help programs" -- common adjuncts to other houses of worship but not often seen in places where mosques were there for prayer and nothing more, added Gehrke-White, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist at the Miami Herald newspapers.
She estimates there are 3 million Muslim women in the United States. While earlier immigration patterns brought in the educated and affluent, whose children have moved easily into middle or upper class society, more recent trends have brought in the poor and desperate, many from Africa and Asia.
Since the middle of last decade more than 229,000 Muslim refugees have settled in the United States, an unprecedented influx, she writes. Many are illiterate, willing to sacrifice themselves to see that their children get the education denied them, she said.
"But even these women who were denied the right to read or write in their countries are now eagerly attending classes in the United States for the first time," she writes, and they credit the Koran's emphasis on education for their desire to learn.
The women profiled fall into several broad categories, she writes, including "new traditionalists" who have taken to wearing a veil even after earlier generations did not, others who have eschewed head coverings and blended in with society and converts who are the most enthusiastic about using traditional garb associated with Muslim women.
There is Zarinah in Arizona who wore a scarf from sixth grade on who is now a law student with boundless enthusiasm. "Muslim women were once teachers, scholars, leaders on the battleground and naval commanders," she tells the author. "I feel our generation and the next generation will be reclaiming that history."
At the other end of the spectrum is a South Asian woman whose marriage to the scion of a wealthy European family was arranged. He beat and abused her after they moved to Florida and divorced her when she was caught in web of mental and legal problems.
Despite a tide of anti-Muslim feeling that swept the United States after September 11, "Islam is flourishing with new mosques opening every year," Gehrke-White writes. "While many American women are pushing for reform within the mosque, they don't give up their faith. In Islam they find solace."
Some in the book have become international leaders in helping other Muslim women, from sending delegations to Bosnia to setting up a group to help stop "honor killings" -- women being murdered for bringing shame to a family for alleged adultery or even for having a boyfriend.
But Gehrke-White said American Muslim women often find themselves on the defensive. Other Muslims, particularly in Saudi Arabia and other strict countries, are suspicious of Americans who don't wear a veil.
"They see them as practicing Islam-Lite," she said, though Muslims in some other countries support a woman deciding for herself. What most Muslims around the world seem to be united on is questioning the American women about U.S. foreign policy, she said…….
http://www.metronews.ca/reuters_entertainment.asp?id=147016
April 28, 2006
Morocco gets first batch of female preachers
RABAT, April 28, 2006– Morocco's first batch of female Muslim preachers (Morchidat) has just graduated with the aim of helping their male peers promote the tolerant and peaceful message of Islam and fight extremist drifts.
"The Morchidat will be in charge of leading religious discussions, give courses in Islam, give moral support to people in difficulty and guide the faithful towards a tolerant Islam," Smira Marzouk, one of the newly-graduated Morchidat, told Agence France-Presse (AFP) Friday, April 28.
The pioneer group of 50 Morchidat ended a 12-month course early April.
During their year-long course, they studied curricula ranging from Islamic studies to psychology, sociology, computer skills, economy, law and business management.
"This is a rare experiment in the Muslim world," proudly stated Mohamed Mahfoud, director of the center attached to the Islamic affairs ministry that trained the female team.
He said the Morchidat were trained to "accompany and orient Muslim faithful, notably in prisons, hospitals and schools."
The idea of the Morchidat was initiated following the Casablanca terrorist attacks on May 16, 2003.
At least 45 people were killed and dozens wounded when booby-trapped cars exploded simultaneously outside an international hotel, a Jewish cultural center and an Italian restaurant downtown Casablanca.
Marzouk said that the experience was in no way designed to replace male preachers and imams as claimed by some critics.
"The imamate in Islam is restricted solely to men who are apt at leading prayers, notably those on Friday," she noted.
Marzouk, who holds a diploma in Arab literature, said she sees her mission as one to "fill in the gaps that prevent a solid framework for religion".
"We are going to teach a tolerant Islam by focusing on the underprivileged classes," added Marzouk, who is in her 30s.
The female team will also seek to clear misconceptions associating Islam with extremism.
"We will help attenuate any drift towards Islamic extremism," said Leila Fares, another female preacher who holds a degree in Islamic studies.
Ahmad Taoufiq, the Islamic affairs minister, said the Morchidat will also "instruct women on their religious duties".
The initiative was hailed as "positive" by the Islamic-leaning Justice and Development party (PJD).
"I see nothing more to say about this initiative because in Islam, men and women are equal," PJD Member of Parliament Mustapha Ramid said.
He pointed to Egypt which has "eminent women scholars of Islam." (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies)
http://www.islamonline.net/English/News/2006-04/28/article03.shtml
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