Do Muslim Women Really Need Saving

I chose the article “Do Muslim Women Really Need Saving” because it is about the current war on terrorism. This is very prevalent in our world today because of what has gone on in Irac and Afghanistan with our American army. This article also discusses the justifications of liberating, or saving, Afghan Women. A point that I thought was interesting that Lila Abu touched on was appreciating the differences among women in the world and how different histories, circumstances and desires makes women diverse. Another great point that is brought up in this article is instead of trying to “save” people, we should instead work together so that there is less violence. 

- Politics of the Veil: Women who pull the black head cloth over their face in front of older men is a voluntary act by women who are deeply committed to being moral and having honor tied to their family. 

- Burqa: Is for good women who stay inside the home. It is for respectable women from strong families who are not forced to make a living selling on the street. 

-A question to ask yourself is, “How should we manage the complicated politics and ethics of finding ourselves in agreement with those with whom we normally disagree?” 

-Lila Abu is trying to remind us to be aware of differences, respectful of other paths toward social change that might give women better lives. 

This article was very interesting because it taught me not just about muslim women, it taught me about the respect we need to give everyone in order to keep peace. 

The Marriage of Feminism and Islamism in Egypt 

quotes that I found interesting 

“Islamists today are the best examples of those who condemn feminism as western, although Arab feminists complain that their progressive male colleagues can be just as dismissive.” “Islamists stigmatize sexual independence and public freedom as Western and they challenge women’s rights to work, barely question women’s education, and unthinkingly embrace the ideals of bourgeois marriage.” 

Lila Abu-Lughods main points in this article is to describe some of the contemporary positions in Egypt on the questions of women and then she will talk about the Qasim Amin, turn of the century reformer known for his advocacy of wrens emancipation. Many Egyptian secularist get there view points from the media and television. These view points are the dramatic television serials that represent their views on women. Most serials on Egyptian television take for granted the ideal form of marriage is one based on shared values and mutual love and respect. Many Islamists believe that woman should not work outside the home. They believe that God gave them the noblest of occupations, to take care of his children.