MUSLIM WOMEN IN CONTEMPORARY SOCIETIES

Reality and Opportunities Muslim Women in Contemporary Societies: Reality and Opportunities originates from a recent conference on the subject that was organized by the International Institute for Muslim Unity (IIMU) of the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM). The book brings together revised versions of some of the papers that were presented in English at this conference, and to address the different issues featured in them. The gist of the argument is that the discrimination that has been practiced against women in many Muslim countries and communities could not possibly be based on Islam, a religion which masterminded a gigantic leap for the liberation of women fourteen centuries ago. The book consists of an introduction and seventeen essays written by contemporary Muslim writers and scholars from different Muslim countries and communities, ranging from Saudi Arabia to Australia. They explore various politico — religious and socio-economic issues related to contemporary Muslim women worldwide, which help the readers to understand their predicaments, and the means to overcome them. Hassan Ahmed Ibrahim, Ph.D. (1970) in history from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, is currently Professor of history at the Department of History and Civilization. He is also Director of the Institute for Muslim Unity (IIMU), International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM). He has been engaged in the world of academia since 1970, and worked for several African, Middle Eastern, American and Asian universities. His research interests include the history of the Middle East, Sub-Saharan Africa and Islamic revivalism. He has published extensively in Arabic and English, including his latest book Sayyid’Abd al-Ra&män al-Mahdi: A Study of Neo-Mahdism in the Sudan, 1899-1956 (Leiden: E.J. Brill, 2004), and had just co-edited a book entitled The Hadhrami Diaspora in South East Asia: Identity Maintenance or Assimilation, published by Brill in 2009. Zaleha Kamaruddin, (LL.B (Hons.), MCL, DSLP, Ph.D.) is Professor and Dean at the Ahmad Ibrahim Kulliyyah (Faculty) of Laws, International Islamic Univer- sity Malaysia (IIUM). She has published and advocates extensively in the area of family law and women’s rights. She has conducted several applied research mostly related to family law, and served as consultant for various non-governmental organizations, government ministries and agencies. She is a member of the National Council for Women and Selangor Religious Council and Technical Committee on Shari’ah and Laws (JAKIM). She also sits as technical committee member for NAM Institute for Women Empowerment.