By Dr Samia Raheel Qazi
Are you laying a foundation of “Islamic feminism”? The question turned her face flaring red. “La (no), we are the women who believe in verses of Quran which perceive humans as part of a single unit and spreads awareness about human singularity. We put our faith in “Al-rijal qawwamun ala al-nisa” (men are the caretakers of women) and “Fa al-salihat qanitat” (righteous women are devoutly obedient).” Professor Dr Suad al Fatih, founder of International Muslim Women Union said.
As a representative of the International Muslim Women Union from Pakistan this was my first introduction to the term feminism. Three hundred female leaders from 89 countries participated in this conference circa 1996. The understanding of the terms of feminism and gender equality I have attained through these conferences aided in my understanding that Islam believes in equity, neither male chauvinism nor feminism, as acceptable standards in Islam. It emphasizes on the prioritization of family as a source of stability in society. And that the need of the hour is to adopt a new term to replace all others, “Familism”
Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Women Wing was launched after 1994’s Family planning conference held in Cairo. We started working under the respected Aisha Munawar in areas of legal aid, education, health, politics, economy, media and foreign affairs and gathered women who were interested in these areas. We then trained them in a disciplined way aiming to enhance their professional skills.
While on a private trip in 1996, I had the opportunity to exchange thoughts and ideas with different organizations working on the subject of women and family in Turkey, Iran and different countries of Europe. Subsequently after my return, I presented a report to respected Aisha Munawar, Secretary-General Jamat-e-Islami Women Wing. She laid the foundation of the department of foreign affairs of Women Wing and handed over its responsibility to me.
Qazi Hussain Ahmad, who was then Ameer (president) of Jamat-e-Islami Pakistan, presented a charter for women rights during the Women Conference of General Convention held in Faisal mosque, Islamabad on 24 October 1998. He announced senator and a retired captain, Dr Kausar Firdous as the first president leading the Commission.
The Women Commission was given the status of Women and Family Commission later on in 2005 after trips to Iran, Turkey, Malaysia and Indonesia revealed that foreign governments addressed such commissions by combining women and family together.
There are five points of the Women and Family Commission of Jamat-e-Islami:
1. To attain a respected position in society as a woman, to cement her role in family and society and to provider her a safe environment.
2. To ensure opportunities for primary and higher education for women.
3. To ensure access to health facilities for women. The future of a healthy nation is dependent on the health and well-being of a woman. Along with her reproductive health, it’s also necessary to save her from fatal diseases. Pakistan’s demographics comprise of a large proportion of women residing in rural areas therefore making it necessary to establish Basic Health Centre in every village.
4. To provide women with free and instant access to the justice system. The mistreatment of women is common in our country and justice is barely served. It’s very important to make police stations and courts a place where women can feel safe.
5. Women are deprived of the Islamic rights given by Allah and His Messenger Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) because of the regressive customs and traditions of the society. To return those rights back to them is an integral part of our charter.
We are the first and the only political outfit working under such as charter since 1998. We attended the assembly of 2002 as lawmakers under the same charter whereby women from Jamat-e-Islami were among the top-ranked for their contributions. When NGOs issued the performance reports, they put us in the most highlighted place. Not our names but our work was found to be speaking there.
Jamat-e-Islami Women Wing has also kept democratic values alive in Pakistan as its designated members are elected on every level of governance from the beginning. “Shura” (advisory committee) has the authority of all affairs and there is a strict system of answering and accountability.
We started 4th September as “Hijab Day” in 2004 after the announcement of Allama Youssef Qaradawi. In 2008, we started to celebrate International Women’s Day by the names of women in Islam. We started from Mother of Muslims Khadija-Tul-Kubra (may Allah be pleased with her) and presented her as a role model for today’s new generation. We started a campaign by the title of “a loyal friend in faith”. After that, we shed light on Mother of Muslims Ayesha Siddiqa (may Allah be pleased with her) as a treasure of knowledge and wisdom, Fatima Zehra (may Allah be pleased with her) as a beacon of light for family, and Bibi Zainab (may Allah be pleased with her) as a symbol of courage and patience were selected for guidance in International Women’s Day.
On the 29th of February 2020, respected Durdana Siddiqi presented our complete plan in front of the media in a press conference. On the 1st of March 2020, president Jamat-e-Islami Pakistan respected Senator Siraj ul Haq announced at Women Conference in Lahore to celebrate Takreem e Naswan (feminine respect) campaign along with the family for the first time which was continued from 1st March to 20th March 2020.
Women from all schools of thought belonging to different classes attended our conference. One of the organizers of Aurat March said after the conference, “I’m amazed that you people work so much disciplined and you have such a sufficient charter.” Nuns from Cathedral Church also attended our conference and made sure to attend our campaign “We Are All Mary”. This campaign was started by female guards of Aqsa Mosque which are also called Marabtat, as just like Maryam (Mary) served and protected the Bait ul Muqaddas, we will also fulfil the responsibility of protection. Maryam is a metaphor for resistance which has now become a symbol for the struggle of every daughter of the nation against the tyranny that continued on the face of the earth.
Respected Professor Khurshid Ahmed has written such encouraging lines in the foreword of my doctorate thesis titled “Family system of Islam and modern civilized boundaries”:
“Today Muslim world in general, and Muslim women in particular, are standing at decisive crossroads. On the one side, there is a flood of western civilization and tradition, equipped with the most effective devices of modern technology to mould us into western civilization detaching us from our religion, faith, history and tradition, and trying hard to glitter our eyes with worldly progress and magic of material wealth. On the other side, some conservatives and flag-bearers of tradition despite their sincerity, have put customs and traditions to the level of principles and values, and have been completely ignorant of the real requirements of the age. Instead of facing the challenges of the modern world, they find comfort in getting besieged in the fortress of the past. Such ways cannot be expected to direct life and progress. And if we let our foundations get weakened and feeble or neglect the requirements of the time then we can’t stand against the charge from the West. The only way to avoid getting vanquished and enslaved is the one taught by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and what is tried successfully by the pious people in their respective times. That is, standing firm when it comes to principles and values, and necessary space and flexibility in terms of sources and resources.”
We are thankful to Allah as we have not been reactive but proactive in engaging with women across different strata of society. We have the talent to convince the minds and also the art of captivating them with our affection. The disciplined force of thousands of mothers, sisters and daughters are with us and whenever there will be drought of voice in this country, only we will be calling out. I also keep reminding myself of one more piece of advice from my leader Dr Suad al Fatih. That we will spend our lives on stabilizing a family. We will accept the medal of obedience as an award but without tolerating any cruelty. If we don’t stand against cruelty and oppression then how can we sow the seeds of resistance in the generations to come?
