March 06, 2007	Tuesday	Safar 16, 1428

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ISLAMABAD, March 5: Speakers at a seminar on Monday said Islam gave equal rights to women and the West’s perception of Muslim women was based on ignorance. The seminar on: “Role of women in Islam” was organised by the Turkish students studying in National University of Modern Languages (Numl).

Brig (retired) Wasiq Ahmad Khan, Professor of Islamic and Pakistan Studies while speaking at the seminar said the role of women in Islam had been a subject of repeated controversy among educated Muslims ever since they came under the influence of western civilization. It was still a issue generating much heat and passion.

Prof Ahmad said that the status of women was misunderstood in the West because of ignorance about Islamic systems and the Muslim way of life.

He said that it was because the westerners just see one side of the picture of Muslim women who was hidden in veil, voiceless and devoid of any rights.

This is how the western media also portrays Muslim women, he added.

Whereas, women in Islam are accorded full spiritual and intellectual equality viz-a-viz men. In their relations both men and women are to observe modesty of behaviour, dress and social code of morality.

“Islam discourages un-necessary mixing of the sexes”, he continued.

Prof Ziaul Haq, Associate Professor of Islamic Studies and Shariah at Allama Iqbal Open University said that Islam lays great emphasis on treating women as human being and Islam was the first religion to preach this philosophy.

“Islam is for humanity and it allows domination of males over women and preaches that both are equal. Females in Islamic society have a role to play in national development,” he added.

Prof Haq also referred to the address of the Holy Prophet (Peace be Upon Him) delivered at the Hajj-a-tul Wida in which he asked his followers to be careful towards rights of the women.

Mr Murat Yilmaz, head of Islamic Studies Department at Pak- Turk International School and College said that prior to the advent of Islam women were treated as a commodity for trade. “But the condition changed in post-Islamic era when Muslims were asked to treat them gently,” he added.

Brig (retd) Dr Allah Bakhsh Malik, Head of Education Department at Numl, in his presidential address said that God had given rightful status to women in society and no body can change Allah’s injunctions.

He asked the audience to shun the idea of equality as Allah has created relations and accordingly has put some restrictions on both of them which have to be observed.