International congress on Islamic feminism

Junta Islàmica Catalana (Catalonian Islamic Board) is organising the Third International Congress on Islamic Feminism from October 24-27, 2008 in Barcelona, Spain.

Many Muslim women today are facing a double oppression: economic (neo-liberalism) and political (religious fundamentalism).

The Congress will consider the responses given by Islamic feminists to this situation, and their contribution towards the construction of a new civil society worldwide, based on a culture of human rights and Qur’anic values such as democracy, social justice, freedom of conscience and gender equality.

Distinguished Muslim personalities such as Bouthaina Shaaban, Syria's Minister for Refugees and candidate for Nobel Peace Prize; and Baroness Uddin, the first Muslim woman becoming member of the House of Lords in Britain, will be attending the event.

Other Muslim intellectuals such as Amina Wadud, Penda Mbow, Fatou Sow or Norani Othman, Siti Musdah Mulia, chair of Muslimat Nahdlatul ulama, the largest Islamic social organisation in Indonesia and Subhasini Ali, president of the women’s wing of the Communist Party of India are also expected to be present.

Speakers from Morocco, Syria, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Iran, India, Senegal, Malaysia, Indonesia, USA and England will make presentations about the campaign against stoning in Iran, the struggle for women’s political participation in the Arabian Peninsula, and present strategies to improve women's rights in Muslim countries as Morocco, Senegal, Pakistan, India and Malaysia.

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