Advancing Gender Equality in Muslim Leadership
Most In the post-apartheid landscape of South Africa, the constitutional promise of equality continues to challenge traditional power structures, particularly within religious institutions. This article critically examines the systematic exclusion of women from leadership roles in Muslim ulama bodi...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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UJ Press
2025-01-01
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| Series: | African Journal of Gender and Religion (AJGR) |
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| Online Access: | https://journals.uj.ac.za/index.php/ajgr/article/view/3440 |
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| author | Fatima Essop |
| author_facet | Fatima Essop |
| author_sort | Fatima Essop |
| collection | DOAJ |
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Most In the post-apartheid landscape of South Africa, the constitutional promise of equality continues to challenge traditional power structures, particularly within religious institutions. This article critically examines the systematic exclusion of women from leadership roles in Muslim ulama bodies, despite significant advancements in religious education and scholarly achievements by Muslim women. The research argues that the exclusion of women from ulama bodies is neither theologically justified nor practically defensible. By drawing on egalitarian interpretations of Islamic traditions, historical examples of women's scholarly contributions in Islam, and contemporary global practices of women's religious leadership, the article challenges entrenched patriarchal interpretations that restrict women's roles. Specifically, this study explores the historical context of the Muslim community in South Africa, the current composition of ulama bodies, and the extensive scholarly achievements of Muslim women. It highlights how these bodies wield considerable authority in matters of marriage, divorce, inheritance, and issuing religious legal opinions, yet remain exclusively male-led. The article reveals that Muslim women in South Africa are now extensively educated in Islamic sciences and are fully capable of occupying leadership positions. By advocating for gender diversity in religious leadership, the research proposes a path towards more inclusive, representative, and equitable religious governance that aligns with both Islamic principles and South Africa’s constitutional values of gender equality.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a1f5b15c02b64811a87a1d314a3d2390 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2707-2991 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | UJ Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | African Journal of Gender and Religion (AJGR) |
| spelling | doaj-art-a1f5b15c02b64811a87a1d314a3d23902025-01-08T08:59:05ZengUJ PressAfrican Journal of Gender and Religion (AJGR)2707-29912025-01-0130210.36615/ryntph87Advancing Gender Equality in Muslim LeadershipFatima Essop Most In the post-apartheid landscape of South Africa, the constitutional promise of equality continues to challenge traditional power structures, particularly within religious institutions. This article critically examines the systematic exclusion of women from leadership roles in Muslim ulama bodies, despite significant advancements in religious education and scholarly achievements by Muslim women. The research argues that the exclusion of women from ulama bodies is neither theologically justified nor practically defensible. By drawing on egalitarian interpretations of Islamic traditions, historical examples of women's scholarly contributions in Islam, and contemporary global practices of women's religious leadership, the article challenges entrenched patriarchal interpretations that restrict women's roles. Specifically, this study explores the historical context of the Muslim community in South Africa, the current composition of ulama bodies, and the extensive scholarly achievements of Muslim women. It highlights how these bodies wield considerable authority in matters of marriage, divorce, inheritance, and issuing religious legal opinions, yet remain exclusively male-led. The article reveals that Muslim women in South Africa are now extensively educated in Islamic sciences and are fully capable of occupying leadership positions. By advocating for gender diversity in religious leadership, the research proposes a path towards more inclusive, representative, and equitable religious governance that aligns with both Islamic principles and South Africa’s constitutional values of gender equality. https://journals.uj.ac.za/index.php/ajgr/article/view/3440gender equalityreligious leadership ulama bodies |
| spellingShingle | Fatima Essop Advancing Gender Equality in Muslim Leadership African Journal of Gender and Religion (AJGR) gender equality religious leadership ulama bodies |
| title | Advancing Gender Equality in Muslim Leadership |
| title_full | Advancing Gender Equality in Muslim Leadership |
| title_fullStr | Advancing Gender Equality in Muslim Leadership |
| title_full_unstemmed | Advancing Gender Equality in Muslim Leadership |
| title_short | Advancing Gender Equality in Muslim Leadership |
| title_sort | advancing gender equality in muslim leadership |
| topic | gender equality religious leadership ulama bodies |
| url | https://journals.uj.ac.za/index.php/ajgr/article/view/3440 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT fatimaessop advancinggenderequalityinmuslimleadership |