It’s not just about dressing up!

This article does not take the traditional approach where I will argue why women should be allowed to participate in political jihad, because frankly here at MPACUK we believe it is an integral part of every Muslim’s life, man or woman!

Political and Social responsibility is commanded from us by Allah and is derived from the Quran in the following verse: "And [as for] the believers, both men and women - they are friends and protectors of one another: they [all] enjoin the doing of what is right and forbid the doing of what is wrong." (Quran 9:71).

My article is more about summarising the historic participation of Muslim women in political activism and how Muslim women today need to understand the weight of their involvement.

My interest to write this article stemmed from looking at the gender dynamics within MPACUK itself. Over the last four years I have seen Muslim women bloom and take MPACUK to new heights.  This has been illustrated by their representation in number, which has always nearly out numbered male members, but also by their consistent exuberance to engage in political jihad on the front line. MPACUK is one of very few organisations that propels Muslim women into the active forum and recognises the need of their involvement in a movement to empower Muslims in the UK.

Islamic History to the modern age has provided ample evidence of active Muslim women to name just a few lets start with pre-Islamic times where ‘Bilqis’, the legendary Queen of Sheba (mentioned in the Quran) attained success as a leader  commanding a council of 312 delegates each of whom represented 10,000 men. People prospered under her reign.

Later in Islamic times we observe the emergence of Muslim women endeavouring to fulfil jihad through their involvement in battles, politics and campaigns. The battle of Uhud showed a courageous ‘Nasiba bint Kaab’, act as a human shield to protect the Prophet (PbuH) from arrows of aggressors, whilst sustaining twelve wounds in the process. She went on to become a highly respected lady by fellow soldiers including Abu Bakr and Khalid Bin Waleed.

Umm Salama, wife of the Prophet (PbuH), was renowned for questioning policies and advising the prophet (PbuH) at political crisis times (e.g. al-Hudaybiyya treaty). She was also known for courageously questioning the Prophet (PbuH); as to why men were mentioned in the Quran and not women?. In response Allah (SWT) revealed the following verse addressing women for the first time: "Verily, for all men and women who have surrendered themselves unto God, and all believing men and believing women, and all truly devout men and truly devout women…" (Quran 33:35).

Aisha, also wife of Prophet (PbuH) was instrumental in political campaigning during and after the Prophet’s (PbuH) life.  Demonstrated by controversial campaigns such as; leading a military campaign to seek retribution for the murder of ‘Uthman’ (third Caliph) and rallying people to take arms against Ali as well as leading thousands of men into the battle of the ‘Camel’.  Aisha did not enjoy universal support in both endeavours, but showed fervour in professing justice.

In later centuries we observe distingushid intellectuals rising in the once the ‘independent Iraq’ many centuries ago, Rabia Basri (730’s) one of the first to attain the rank of Scholar and Sainthood. She was known as an intellectual scholar who guided other scholars and the community on many social issues. Also Rabiayah Khatun (1160’s), the sister of the Muslim General Salahuddin Ayubbi, another genius who established one of the great institutions for religious learning which facilitated in producing Muslim scientists, leaders and writers.

Modern times have seen Zaynab al-Ghazali an activist during Nasir's regime in Egypt (1950s). A passionate campaigner who encouraged women to take an active part in public life, to hold jobs, enter politics and express their opinion for Islam and Muslims. She was seen as a threat by the government and imprisoned and tortured for five years before she was released and continued her pro-active movement.

Reaching into the historic realms of active Muslim women leaves a powerful taste of vigilant triumph waiting to be recaptured. We gave jihad the edge then and can we do the same today?

……..But the truth of the matter is female energy today is being largely distracted and channelled into a T junction going no-where (perhaps a description many women drivers like me will relate to!). All we see is Muslim women today wasting precious time resurging discussions about the infamous ‘rights’ in Islam. Yes that old chestnut….. a topic which has been deliberately staged to keep us in the ‘safe zone’ of a neo-conservative global regime. Just think in the last year how many times have you heard Muslim women in the media say: “We are not oppressed but liberated”, “Islam has always allowed us to vote”, “We wear the hijab because we want to” “Forced marriages are a thing of the past”. Why are we questioning rights that have never been questioned by Islam?

We continue to resurface futile discussions whilst the opposition grows stronger and stronger, reaping up our missed opportunities of influencing politics and decision making on an national and international level. Is this why the right to wear the hijab swept past in France without a batter of an eyelid? Where were Muslim women then?….perhaps on ‘Radio Deux’ having a fruitless discussion about “How Islam gave us the vote before European women”? ………When in fact, many of these European women today are exercising their vote more conscientiously and influencing policies that effect Muslim lives.

Isn’t it time we realise that we are not up against a “Masculine Zionist lobby”? Women are also pushing the agenda forward that threatens justice for Muslims globally. The pungent force supporting Anti-Muslim and pro-Zionist policies include numerous women, to name a few; Our ‘right honourable’ friends in parliament: Oona King, Anne McGuire, Rosemary McKenna, Margaret Moran, Sandra Osborne, Angela Smith, Lorna Fitzsimons, Louise Ellman, Caroline Flint, Linda Perham, all of whom supported the war in Iraq and are pro-Israeli. In fact all have been recent visitors to Israel and had their flights and accommodation paid by Labour Friends of Israel. We also have ferocious writers like Melanie Phillips who have made her negative feelings towards Muslims and Islam clear. To add insult to injury even Ariel ‘Sharon’ shares a feminine aspect to his name and is the main culprit responsible for the systematic abuse of Palestinians.

Now lets count Muslim women MP’s who are defending policies that effect Muslims…….ZERO! And even active (pro) Muslim women in mainstream media can be counted on one hand…the likes of Salma Yaqoob, Yvonne Ridley, Yasmin Alibhai Brown! What does this show? Our distraction by the media, inactive nature, lack of commitment, busy schedules with fashion retail outlets or perhaps just our selfishness?

Its not acceptable to bury one’s head in the sand and hope that the storm will pass whilst in the meantime fellow brothers and sisters in the local and global community go unsupported in suffering injustice, persecution, Islamaphobia and stripped of civil liberties. Our continued silence perpetuates the fiction that injustice towards Muslims does not exist.

MPACUK fights everyday to highlight needs of our community and an issue which arises at approximately every meeting I go to is the lack of women coming forward to expand political jihad and justice. We know there is definitely great feminine potential which exists in Muslim communities, waiting to enter the political arena…..but how to tap into that and direct it remains a mystery!

I shall continue to write for MPACUK and only pray some time this year I can write an article with the title: ‘Muslim Women in politics becoming a force to be reckoned with’.

Call MPACUK today and speak to one of the many sisters who are struggling to defend Muslims from political perversion and injustice.

It’s not just about dressing up!

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