TV report on Women's International Khilafah Conference + other coverage
A snapshot of the extensive English media coverage of the historic Women's International Khilafah Conference organised by Hizb ut Tahrir in Tunisia on 10 March 2012. An Al Jazeera TV video report on the International Islamic Women's Conference held in Tunisia on 10 March 2011. The conference was a big success in sheddling light on the role of the women in Islam and how Islam can liberate women. 1500 women delegates from 40 countries were in attendance. The conference has been covered by scores of media sources.
The Reflection of the Muslimah on International Women’s Day
Earlier this week, International Women’s Day was marked globally on 8th March. It is a day that marks the political, social and economic achievements of women over the last century. However on close inspection, one must ask, what has actually been achieved in the last century for women? While some of the desired outcomes such as voting, the right to employment and education have been realised since women’s movements began their battle with their respective establishments all those years ago, is the woman in the 21st century really that much better off?
A cursory glance at current statistics in the areas of employment, education, health, safety and family life paints an alarmingly different picture of where women generally stand today, both in Western societies and others.
High rates of abuse, both sexual and physical, unwanted pregnancies and the break down of the family unit plague the women in our societies. Added to this is the commercialisation and sexualisation of the female image, where her body and femininity are exploited to sell everything from chewing gum to cars. This not only has an effect on adult women, but increasingly, children have not been spared the greed of fashion and cosmetic industries, being targeted with products and services not befitting of their innocence. This has inadvertently led to a rise in self esteem issues where little girls as young as 11 fall victim to suicide and self harming as a way to deal with the pressures they face to look, act and be perceived in a certain way.
Regardless of the introduction of laws and the establishment of global women's organisations, women the world over remain disadvantaged. Some even argue that the Gender Equality movement have exacerbated the problems that women face since they are now expected to be equal to a man, work as hard as a man, and commit as much as a man, not taking into consideration at all the biological differences between men and women.
Islam on the other hand is not gender based. It came as a mercy to mankind and not to cause a battle of the sexes, which will always result in imbalance. Whilst women were struggling with the right to vote, women in Madina during the time of the Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم were entitled to vote and had an obligation to assume a political voice.
Are these the kinds of values that Muslim women want to live by? Values of man made systems that seek only benefit from the exploitation of the woman, bringing her nothing but misery and injustice, OR a superior values system set for all of mankind by the Creator of mankind?
Upon understanding the real protection and nurturing that a Khilafah state would bring to men and women alike, is it any wonder that, today, there is an overwhelming call for its return? It is only the Khilafah that will ensure the rights of all citizens, men and women, Muslim and non- Muslim. History bears testimony to this fact. Islam is as applicable today as it was at the time of the Prophet (saw). Allah سبحانه وتعالى tells us in the Qur'an:
الْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِي وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ الإِسْلاَمَ دِينًا
"This day I have perfected your deen for you and completed my favour upon you and chosen Islam as your deen." (al-Maidah, 5:3)
The women of Hizb ut-Tahrir from across the world, including here in Australia, have launched a global campaign entitled, “The Khilafah : A bright Model for Women’s Rights and Political Role” that will culminate in a truly historic International Women’s Conference in Tunisia on the 10th of March, the week of International Women’s Day. Both the campaign and conference aim to explain how the Khilafah holds credible, viable, and practical solutions to the multitude of political, economic, and social problems afflicting women across the Muslim world.
Over the decades, many have spoken on behalf of Muslim women, presenting a false and outdated argument that Muslim women view Islam as their oppressor, and that they reject the Islamic system of governance, seeking their liberation through the secular democratic system; Alhamdulillah this could not be further from the truth, as we have seen our sisters the world over declaring that it is Islam and only Islam that can guarantee her dignity and honour and restore her to the elevated position in society, as given to her by Allah (swt)!
Only the Khilafah system offers a detailed unique strategy for how to secure the dignity of women, establish strong family units, and provide the political, economic, and educational rights of all – male and female, Muslim and non-Muslim alike.
We call all women who believe in creating real change in improving the lives of ALL women to join us at this truly historic conference that will present a true model by which to establish honour, security, and justice for the mothers and daughters of the Muslim world and that will stand as a beacon for women’s liberation globally, insha Allah.
The Sisters’s of hizbut Tahrir Australia
Sisters Only Event: Reflections on the International Women's Khilafah Conference
Recently, women of Hizb ut-Tahrir from across the globe, including here in Australia launched a global campaign entitled, “The Khilafah: A Shining Model for Women’s Rights and Political Role” that culminated in a truly historic International Women’s Conference in Tunisia on the 10th of March, the week of International Women’s Day. The conference presented a detailed vision of what the Islamic Ruling System based purely upon Islamic laws and principles would mean to the status, rights, and lives of women.
We would love for you to join us for morning tea as we share with you the central message of this campaign and how we can work together to support the momentous changes that are occurring in the Muslim world.
Date : Sunday, 1st April, 2012
Time : 10:00am until 12:00pm
Location: 925 Canterbury Road, Lakemba NSW
