Islamic feminism, Margot Badran and my own bumblings

One of my favorite quotes comes from Margot Badran,

“Feminism is a plant that

only grows in its own soil.”

Badran is a senior fellow at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, an acclaimed author and historian, and outspoken feminist at the forefront of so-called “Islamic feminism”, a phenomenon Badran defines as:

a feminist discourse and practice articulated within an Islamic paradigm. Islamic feminism, which derives its understanding and mandate from the Qur'an, seeks rights and justice for women, and for men, in the totality of their existence.

I obviously don’t know Badran (but I'd like to meet her if you have connections!), but I like her.

And I like what she has to say about feminism in this part of the world – it’s roots, it’s growth, it’s fruits and it’s future.

For starters, Badran draws a clear distinction between Islam – the religion and what she calls Islamism – the “political mobilization of Islam” .

One, she says, is open to egalitarianism. The other is not.

It’s a distinction that’s obvious – and invaluable – here in Saudi where culture, tribalism, political brokering, social control mechanisms and rampant patriarchy are often globbed onto religion like so much bubble gum on the bottom of a shoe.

But a lot of us miss that distinction, especially those of us who come from the Western feminist tradition and have little or no on-the-ground experience in this part of the world.

Writing in the Guardian, Badran notes:

..most non-Muslims, including progressives, buy into this interpretation, regarding Islam as intrinsically patriarchal. Thereby they contribute to problems for women through their ignorance.

Ouch!

Despite –or perhaps in spite of – the well-intentioned teeth-gnashing and bumbling of us Western feminists, Badran points out that Islamic feminism is gaining momentum.

As egalitarian Islam gains ground, it is increasingly being assailed by Muslim conservatives whether they are religious leaders, self-appointed community spokesmen, or followers of political Islam (Islamism). This is happening in both old Muslim societies in Africa and Asia and in the new communities in the west by those who perpetuate a patriarchal version of Islam which they claim to be the true Islam.

And that is exactly what we’re seeing here in Saudi now – today. Women-only fitness centers are being targeted, drivers are being targeted, women newscasters and media representatives are being targeted. Heck even coffee houses are being targeted!

It might not look like it from the outside, but feminism is alive and well – and making progress in Saudi Arabia!

The proof is in the push-back from the Hai’a, the conservatives, the members of society who believe that women are second-class citizens, and the sad men who are hanging on to the glory of their patriarchal past.

The soil of Saudi is rich and Islamic feminism is growing.

Now if I could only figure out how to help. Or at least not get in the way!