The Changing Roles of Women in Islam

Author promotes book on women’s role in politics and Islam

Dr. Shahla Haeri visited Santa Clara to share her take on women’s shifting gender roles in Iran as well as to promote her new book, “The Unforgettable Queens of Islam: Succession, Authority, Gender.” 

During her talk on Jan. 15 in the Williman Room, Haeri outlined three categories of discussion to focus on women at the forefront of political change.

The first category is the manner in which people talk about how Islamic tradition determines sources of authority, specifically in relation to women.

The second is the paradox of patriarchy with regards to the father-daughter relationships and the last is the differences that divide men and women in authority and positions of political power. Haeri is known as a pioneer of Iranian anthology and has produced many ethnographies of Iran, Pakistan and the Muslim World. 

Haeri has also been the recipient of many fellowships, grants and postdoctoral fellowships.

Throughout the talk, Haeri outlined the way people talk about sources of authority according to Islamic tradition. 

According to Haeri, women in Iran are becoming receiving more education and are challenging the way the patriarchy’s omnipresence in Muslim society. 

The vocabulary used to discuss women is essential to makeing political progress, and shifting discussions in the direction of progress. 

Though oppressive, the political terrain has not stopped women from organizing. 

However, there remains the lasting idea that when a woman reaches a certain level of power and intelligence, she is no longer a woman, she is now recognized as a man. 

“These women come from all walks of life and are determined to have a seat at the political table,” Haeri said. “One that has been so jealousy occupied by men.” 

The paradox of patriarchy identifies problems regarding succession to high office in Iran which usually goes from father to son. 

Haeri’s interest in gender politics began in 1988 when the first democratically elected Muslim woman won the presidency. Once elected, men tried to keep her from taking power but she eventually became the president through a constitutional route. 

Benazir Bhutto was a Pakistani politican and the first female leader of a Muslim nation in modern history. 

She served two terms as prime minister of Pakistan, from 1988-90 and 1993-96. 

Bhutto became president following the death of the previous president in a mysterious plane crash that left a power vacuum in Pakistani politics.

Following her, 47 women ran for president, revealing that there has been significant progress due to women’s persistence.

“It is kind of ironic,” Haeri said. “So many Americans criticize Muslims for being sexist . . . but how many female presidents have we had? The so called “backwards Muslim society” has far passed us.” 

Militarism and fundamentalism are the greatest barriers to women in the Muslim world, whereas in American society, it is seen that men are women’s greatest barriers. 

Haeri reminded the room that religion is not necessarily the main obstacle for these women.

Rather, the entrenched political power structure and patriarchal domination are what need attention 

Haeri is also the former director of the Women’s Studies Program at Boston University.

Some of her other works include the book “Law of Desire: Temporary Marriage, Mut’a, in Iran.” 

Her book has been translated into Arabic and reprtined frequently. 

It focuses on the secretive custom of temporary marriages and ultimately highlights the lives of educated and professional Muslim women.

Haeri has also produced a documentary entitled “Mrs. President: Women and Political Leadership in Iran.”

The documentary focuses on the six women presidential contenders during the Iranian presidential election of 2001.

The event was part of the Anthropology Speaker Series. 

It was co-hosted by the Arab, Islamic, and Middel East Program and multiple departments on campus. 

This included the womens and gender studies, religious studies, history and political science departments. 

Mary Hegland is a professor of anthropology and one of the events organizers. 

“I am very grateful that Dr. Haeri came all the way from Boston to talk to us about her new book,” Hegland said. “It is a great honor to have her here.” 

Haeri’s newest book, “The Unforgettable Queens of Islam: Succession, Authority, Gender” will be coming out early 2020. 

Her newest book highlights the lives of six powerful Muslim women throughout history and explores their role in creating more opportunities for women. 

It contains the biographies of Muslim women rulers and leaders who reached the peak of the political systems during their time. 

These women come from medieval Yemen and India, and modern Pakistan and Indonesia. 

Historically, the written history of Islam and the Muslim world has been overwhelmingly masculine and has used religious and legal justifications to banish Mulim women from politics and public domains. 

Haeri’s book highlights the lives of women who have fought this system.  

Contact Madeline Gile at madgile@scu.edu or call (408) 554-4852.