Are women and men equal proponents of the movement toward progressive Islam?
From what I’m observing, more women than men are at the vanguard of this effort. Today, for example, there’s a movement afoot to introduce Sharia (Islamic law) for Muslim families in Ontario, Canada’s largest province. Muslim women are the ones taking to the streets and speaking out against Sharia’s infringement on their rights. Women seem to be taking the lead internationally, too. Last year I conducted a tour beginning in the UK, with Germany as the mid-point and Australia as the final destination. In each of those places and at stops in between, young Muslim women–some dressed in the headscarf and others not–were the most passionate about bringing their communities back to the spirit of critical thinking. They’re fed up with being separated from men and treated like second-class creatures of God. They know that Islam is capable of better. How dangerous is it for Muslim women to voice these beliefs out loud? Sometimes it’s a matter of getting over your own self-imposed fear. But ot
