In Search of Islamic Feminism: One Woman's Global Journey
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Book Overview
An acclaimed Arab Studies scholar and bestselling author offers a groundbreaking new interpretation of the status and vision of Muslim women--and challenges our own sense of the meaning of feminism.
"Islamic feminism" would seem a contradiction in terms to most Westerners. We are taught to think of Islam as a culture wherein social code and religious law alike force women to accept male authority and surrender to the veil. How could feminism emerge under such a code, let alone flourish? Now, traveling throughout Central Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, as well as Islamic communities in the United States, acclaimed Arab Studies scholar and bestselling author Elizabeth Fernea sets out to answer that question. Fernea's dialogue with friends, colleagues, and acquaintances prompts a range of diverse and unpredictable responses, but in every country she visits, women demonstrate they are anything but passive. In Iraq, we see an 85 percent literacy rate among women; in Egypt, we see women owning their own farms; and in Israel, we see women at the very forefront of peacemaking efforts. Poor or rich, educated or illiterate, these women define their own needs, solve their own problems, and determine the boundaries of their own very real, very viable feminism.
"Islamic feminism" would seem a contradiction in terms to most Westerners. We are taught to think of Islam as a culture wherein social code and religious law alike force women to accept male authority and surrender to the veil. How could feminism emerge under such a code, let alone flourish? Now, traveling throughout Central Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, as well as Islamic communities in the United States, acclaimed Arab Studies scholar and bestselling author Elizabeth Fernea sets out to answer that question. Fernea's dialogue with friends, colleagues, and acquaintances prompts a range of diverse and unpredictable responses, but in every country she visits, women demonstrate they are anything but passive. In Iraq, we see an 85 percent literacy rate among women; in Egypt, we see women owning their own farms; and in Israel, we see women at the very forefront of peacemaking efforts. Poor or rich, educated or illiterate, these women define their own needs, solve their own problems, and determine the boundaries of their own very real, very viable feminism.
Format:Paperback
Language:English
ISBN:0385488580
ISBN13:9780385488587
Release Date:November 1998
Publisher:Knopf Publishing Group
Length:464 Pages
Weight:0.97 lbs.
Dimensions:1.0" x 5.3" x 8.1"
Customer Reviews
4 ratings
a personal account
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 23 years ago
Very interesting personal account of a Western woman's experiences in the Middle-East, giving a voice to those who really have no voice: the women. No, this isn't scholarly and her lack of ability to speak Arabic certainly handicaps her, but still this is valuable. Those who complain about the emphasis on clothing are either apologists or fail to understand the meaning of such required restrictive dress to Western women: it means a lack of ability to move about freely (because of voluminous fabric or the heat of wearing such occulsive clothes) as well as, more seriously, the idea that women are objects to be kept secluded because they belong to a man. It means that women are responsible for men's morality and must pay for men's inability to exhibit self-control. I don't think Fernea did a good job of explaining her own view of such subjects.
very educational
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 25 years ago
This is a book that everybody should read, not only people that are intrested in Middle Eastern Studies. Just like it says on the cover it really shatters stereotypes of women in the Middle East. Very educational but also an easy read.
excellent
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 26 years ago
fernea does it again!!! she is an outstanding author....captivates her audience....the book was an honest concise look into the issues concerning the muslim woman....and fernea makes her book personal/readable no matter what the readers level of knowlegde of the subject....i love her descriptions of what food smells/tastes like...it gives the book a personality....it draws you in and makes you feel a part of her journey....bravo elizabeth bravo....
A true & honest contrast between Western & Islamic Feminisms
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 26 years ago
I am an Egyptian American. This book illustrates Fernea's understanding of different layers of the Islamic culuture because she has lived there and mixing with Middle Eastern People. As a researcher, she was a participant observer. She understands the Muslim experiences without bais nor discrimination. Therefore, she was open to her findings without bias due to her difference as a Western feminist. (PS. I hope I can be able to get Ferea's e-mail, if possib and I'd like to consult her in some issues because I am involved in a similar research right now. Thank you.)
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