Books
For over a century, Muslim women have championed their own brand of feminism, rooted in human rights principles and a deep understanding of their diverse cultural contexts. Yet, secular Muslim feminism remains shrouded in misunderstanding and contention. This book boldly confronts the complexities and controversies surrounding this contested concept, offering a nuanced exploration of its potential to bridge divides and empower women. The book challenges the simplistic portrayals of Muslim women, dismantling the harmful narratives of oppression and victimhood propagated by both Western and Islamist agendas. It critiques the selective glorification of religious agency by some feminists, recognizing how this can inadvertently reinforce patriarchal ideologies. Additionally, it exposes the hijacking of the secular Muslim feminist movement by the far-right, disguised as advocates for women's rights but fueled by anti-Muslim sentiments. Drawing on over two decades of personal observations and interactions with diverse organizations in the Middle East and Europe, the book delves into the heart of secular Muslim feminism, dissecting its nuances and potential to reconcile divergent perspectives. It amplifies these voices, challenging the misrepresentation and limitations imposed by external agendas.
Taking the observation that the widespread return of religion in 'secular' modernity gives evidence to its growing role in society and politics, this study examines ways in which Islamic values are created, reformulated and fed into new perceptions. Aided by the proliferation of mass media in the modern world, and situated outside the control of state authorities, the new satellite television, contributes in creating a 'new Muslim public sphere' that is expanding in numbers as well as diversity of opinions. Many studies have been engaged in examining this 'new Muslim public sphere' in Egypt, and its connotations, however, the gender dimension was given minor recognition. Accordingly I aim at, particularly, providing a gendered perspective in relation to relevant theories of the public sphere as well as their feminist critiques. I focus on young Egyptian women audience in relation to this 'new Egyptian Muslim public sphere' through their use of media in their everyday life, and how does the accessibility to these new forms of media facilitate the formation of counter-public spheres in which those women voice their concerns and articulate their experiences.