In another attempt to combat prejudice and xenophobia stemming from the events of Sept. 11, the Dickey center presented a lecture yesterday by Nermien Al-Ali on Islam and the Empowerment of Women. Al-Ali, an assistant professor at the Franklin Pierce Law Center, dispelled myths regarding Islam and the way its law treats women.
Al-Ali addressed "Islamaphobia," which she defined as deeply embedded stereotypes regarding Islam and Muslims. Citing the 785 reported hate crimes against Muslims reported in the U.S. since the Sept.11 tragedy, Al-Ali stressed that misconceptions "disrupt social harmony and effect the civil rights of a minority."
The popular view of Islam as a culture that represses women is false, Al-Ali said. She further pointed out that Islam is a multicultural religion that includes people from different walks of life.
"Islam is not a culture," Al-Ali said. "Islam is a universal message, not sent to a specific people. The oppression of women contradicts Islamic law."
Al-Ali herself is an example of a Muslim woman not confined by gender roles; born in Jordan, she studied law in Australia, then practiced in Sydney and Egypt before coming to the United States.
In order to help the audience understand how Islamic laws empower women, she explained the main sources of Islamic law and how it is interpreted. According to Al-Ali, Islamic law is based mainly on the text of the Quran, believed by Muslims to be the actual words of God revealed to Mohamed by the angel Gabriel, and the Hadith -- a body of prophetic teachings. Laws are also derived by analogous reasoning and consensus.
Islamic law promotes gender equality, Al-Ali said. The main body of her presentation outlined how Islamic teachings and laws provide women with free choice, political and economic independence, and fair marital obligations. She emphasized that the oppression of women in the name of Islam is contradictory to the religion's teachings.
"The new Islamic society revolutionized the rights of women," she said. "Before Islam, women were bought and sold as property. Islam gave them economic, marital and political rights."
For the most part, the audience was sympathetic to Al-Ali's message. The issue of women's dress code, however, sparked some debate. Al-Ali, who wore a traditional head-covering, emphasized that the covering of one's body is viewed as a good deed rather than a compulsion.
"The emphasis is on purity and conduct," she said.
Some members of the audience, though, questioned the leniency of dress for Islamic males. The discussion was friendly in nature, though, and Al-Ali said she had hoped for a free exchange of ideas.
"I always hope that there will be an intellectual discussion, and that happened here," she said.
Later, she touched briefly on the fights for women's liberation in Islamic nations such as Tunisia, Iran and Afghanistan. Al-Ali also mentioned several women who have served as the leaders of Islamic nations, and pointed out recent laws endowing women in these nations with further financial liberties.
She said she hoped that the audience gained a better understanding of the Islamic religion.
"I want people to know the truth about Islam and the way it relates to women," Al-Ali said.
Audience member Shirley Lin '02 said she came to the lecture in order to hear a Muslim woman's perspective on her religion.
"I think it is important for Americans to understand the realities and history behind Islam," Lin said.
After the lecture. Al-Ali attended a dinner sponsored by the Women of Color.
