Political Islam Class Homework

WEEKLY HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT
(Feminism)
1- In an assigned book chapter written by Leila Ahmed, she adopts a revisionist approach to reexamine Muslim women’s history. In this regard, she provides a comparative insight into women’s positions, rights, and relations during the pre-Islamic Arabian Peninsula and under Islamic context. As a result, she reveals that some of the widely accepted ideas of Islamists vis-à-vis women and their rights (mainly legal ones such as divorce and marriage) before and under Islam do not seem to be correct. Could you please find and explain at least two examples she gives to contradict the existing notion that regards the pre-Islamic period as a complete nightmare for women and their autonomy?
2- In an assigned Encyclopedia entry, a general overview related to feminism, its conceptualization by different Islamist political and feminist groups and some areas that draw the attention of Muslim feminists. Considering these points:
a- How is feminism regarded in Muslim world by different groups?
b- What are the different feminist groups in Muslim world? How do they differ from each other?
c- What are some of the important areas which have been focused on and discussed by feminists?
3- Answer the following questions based on an article you chose to read among those assigned for Friday?
a- Which article did you read?
b- What is the main argument of the article?
c- What is the most important point drawing your attention in the article regarding feminism and Islam?
d- What is the most interesting point that you learned about feminism in Muslim world and/or Muslim feminists?
e- How do you think that the article is conducive to improvement of your understanding of political Islam?