Jamaat-e-Islami, Pakistan: Islam Recognises a Woman’s Role in Nation Building
By
Siraj ul Haq
March 08,
2021
International
Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and
political achievements of women. Among other demands, the day also marks a call
to action for accelerating gender parity. Significant activities are witnessed
all across the world–including Pakistan.
Speakers at a training camp organised to highlight the role women can
play in establishment of peace and stability on Wednesday stressed that
participation of women in nation-building is an important ingredient to obtain
an equitable, peaceful and prosperous society.
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Some people
wrongly claim that Islam deprives women of their basic rights. In fact, Islam
was the first religion which not only liberated women from evil practices that
are still being followed in many societies of the world today, but also
protected and granted basic rights to them –some of which other religions and
societies have just recently adapted to. Thus, it is safe to say that Islam was
the first religion that gave women rights, like that of inheritance.
Islam,
however, does not allow women’s exploitation. An Islamic society discourages
for daughters and sisters to be presented as a product up for sale or
advertised in a similar manner. Islamic laws could not allow for the
publication or airing of vulgar content in TV dramas and films. Furthermore, it
discourages the trend of exploitation of woman in the name of equality and
gender parity. Islam has given an equal status to both genders but has divided
them in term of their responsibilities.
Islam
recognises a woman’s role in nation building, human development and the
upbringing of a family. A woman, as a mother, is a shadow of kindness and
compassion. As a wife, she is a faithful companion and as a sister or daughter,
she is a symbol of virtue and benevolence. Considering the importance of a
woman’s responsibilities, Islam makes full arrangements for the protection of
her self-respect and dignity in a society. It describes principles on how a
woman could contribute in the development of a nation.
Women make
half of the world’s population. A large number of international NGOs and human
rights organisations work for the protection of women rights and still, females
are deprived of basic rights in many countries. It is regretful that the agenda
of the majority of these organisations is self-serving profitability that
facilitates the creation of anti-Islam lobbies and damages the institution of a
family. Rather than to work for the protection of the rights of women, their
target is Pakistan’s Islamic society. A secular mentality is bent upon damaging
the family institution of the country. The ratio of divorces is increasing with
every passing day. Women feel harassed at work places and at educational
institutions due to the culture of co-education.
Considering
the severity of the situation, the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) launched the
‘Istehkam-e-Khandan’ campaign on February 11 for the protection of family
institutions. The campaign, which is aimed at creating awareness amongst the
general public for the protection of family and woman—the roots of our
society—was set to continue for a month. The JI women’s chapter would organise
conferences and seminars on the subject and forward recommendations to the
government to engage women in the process of nation building. I hope that the
campaign would attract momentum in the future and that every woman in the
country would be prepared to counter any planned attacks to destroy the
sanctity of the institution of a family. The recommendations would be prepared
in light of the teachings of the Quran and Sunnah.
March 8,
the International Women Day, would be marked by the JI women with the objective
to attain a safe environment for women and the protection of family
institutions. The JI women’s chapter is determined to counter the
westernisation of society in a peaceful manner, with the power of debate and
logic.
Unfortunately,
the practices of displaying dowry articles, demands from the groom’s family,
depriving women of inheritance, marriages of women with the Quran, honour
killings, and others are still intact in the society despite comprehensive
legislation against them. Through this article, I demand for a complete ban on
dowry and other un-Islamic and anti-constitutional traditions in society. Islam
strictly prohibits these corrupt practices.
On
International Women’s Day, I also demand that the government implements Article
35 and 37G of the constitution that provides protection to women. I appeal to
the government to ensure that the protection of women at workplaces and
educational institutions becomes an important agenda for the future.
The JI
believes that the debate about women rights, in the context of the present-day
needs in our global village, should continue.
Original
Headline: Women, Pakistan and Islam
Source: The Nation, Pakistan
URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-society/jamaat-e-islami,-pakistan-islam/d/124504