Human Rights Inequality and Islamic Feminist Ethics

The relativist critique of the concept of human rights is universally argued, often hides behind religion and government guises, and is a serious problem in areas like the Islam Middle East. Of course, there may be weaknesses to this argument, but it is clear that there are human rights violations in these parts of the world. “More importantly, when it comes to making commitments to human rights, the commitment is in the sense of positive law” (Fadl 28). Human Rights is something is cannot be specifically defined, except to say that human beings deserve to be treated with respect, they are to have certain freedoms granted to them regardless of their country of origin or residence.

The ideology of Human Rights simply comes down to one concept: how much is a human life worth? In Islamic countries, they practice severe action - sexual violence and public executions - against women more often than men. This sparked an idea of Islamic Feminism. Feminism is a movement that started in the late 19th century into the early 20th century, and it actively fights for the Human Rights of women. Because of the abuse that women and girls undergo in Islamic countries, it has been quick to grow in size. According to the article, Human Rights and Women’s Rights: Initiatives and Interventions in the Name of Universality,” sexual violence has always been a weapon against women during warfare (Hollenbach, 61). What does this then say about the span of abuse on women in Islamic countries? Since the tragedy of September 11, 2001, the United States has been looking into “Islamic Human Rights,” and more closely still, how the extremists abuse women and girls.

One weakness in the argument of Feminism under Islamic rule is that this is not the whole of their culture. Of course, these actions are wrong and should not happen, but they do not define Islam. Islam is a religion based on peace and spirituality, and not every male of this society feels positively about abusing women. As stated in Ann Elizabeth’s article, “The Islam and Human Rights Nexus: Shifting Dimensions,” “human understandings of the complex and enormously rich Islamic heritage are varied, fluid, and responsive to political developments” (7). As well, El Fadl in “A Distinctly Islamic View of Human Rights” rallies for the international support of Human Rights, as positive law, to be also defined in Islamic terms. As mentioned, it is not to say that these abuses should continue, but that Islam is an entire culture and not simply a reason to treat women and girls like sub-human beings. He also writes that “there are seeds to Islamic tradition that have been lying about on the ground… seeds that could give rise to an Islamic view of human rights…. (to) Muslim thinkers, scholars, and religious leaders” (El Fadl, 41). Islam is much more than the abuse by its religious leaders, and perhaps going back to its basic principles would help to define both women's rights and human rights, in a positive way, for the world as well as Islam itself.

The ideology behind the concepts of Human and Women’s Rights should not be as ill-defined as is stated. The abused women of the Islamic societies have the same right as the male abuser to be happy and satisfied but are not granted this right. Such is the reason for Feminism as a Human Right, not as a privilege.

Works Cited

El Fadl, Khaled Abou. "A Distinctly Islamic View of Human Rights." Islam and Human Rights: Advancing a U.S.-Muslim Dialogue, Ed. Hunter, Shireen T., & Huma Malik. Washington D.C.: CSIS Press, 2005. 27-42. Print.

Hollenbach, S.J., David. “Human Rights and Women’s Rights: Initiatives and Interventions in the Name of Universality.” A Just and True Love: Feminism at the Frontiers of Theological Ethics, Essays in Honor of Margaret A. Farley. Eds, Ryan, Maura A., and Brian F. Linnane, S.J. Notre Dame: University of Notre Dame Press, 2007. 47-74. Print.

Mayer, Ann Elizabeth. “The Islam and Human Rights Nexus: Shifting Dimensions.” Muslim World Journal of Human Rights, 4.1 (2007). Print.