Women, Religious Extremism and Nationalism

International Civil society Action Network (ICAN) recently published a report on mainstreaming of extremism in Muslim majority countries (MMCs) and its effects on women (See Extremism as Mainstream: Implications for Women, Development & Security in the MENA/Asia Region).

After clarifying that religious extremism is not limited to one religion, the report argues that religious extremism is mainstreaming in many MMCs recently. The following reasons are given for this dangerous development:

• The extremist movements appear to be the ones who care for the young, disenfranchised and unemployed. As states refuse to accept their responsibility, these movements offer answers, values, a sense of community and economic support
• Militarized responses by from Muslim majority states and the West, such as drone attacks, makes these movements and their narrative acceptable and increases their support.
• States in MMCs have grown weaker and the instability and conflict in the MENA region have resulted in power vacuums that extremist groups have used to spread their violent message
• Rich countries and individuals, mainly from Persian Gulf, continue to finance these movements and their regressive social message. People employed in these countries are also influenced by their repressive message
• Modern extremists are adept at using latest technology to their advantage. They are using television and social media to spread their message
• Women are deliberately targeted to limit their civic, legal and political rights. Violence is frequently used to silence women and men speaking against these movements
• Decision-makers at international and national level ignore opposition to the extremist movements and do not openly condemn them as these movements 'have accrued so much political and economic capital'.
• Islam is increasingly being meshed up with nationalism and anti-West/US feelings

Although there is no data provided in the report, there is evidence of mainstreaming of anti-women message. The authors of the report should be applauded for the first two recommendations they give for countering extremism. The relevant section is reproduced below.

Challenging the monopoly of religious authorities over definitions and interpretations of Islamic text: Activists are expanding awareness of Islam and its many interpretations. Recognizing that it is very difficult to de-radicalize youth, these initiatives focus on prevention through education. They aim to disentangle patriarchy and culturally-specific practices that condone violence or the subservience of women from religion. They also attempt to separate fiqh (human constructed texts and interpretations) from the statements of the Qur’an. For example, the Malaysian-based network Musawah uses religious texts and women’s life experiences to deconstruct the idea of male authority and start a new discourse on gender. “Musawah believes that religious authorities and governments do not have the monopoly to define what Islam is and how it should regulate citizens’ lives, in private or in public. In a society where Islam is used a source of law and public policy, everyone has the right to speak out on Islam.”

Infusing rights-based approaches to religious discourse and texts: There are also many ongoing efforts to identify the commonalities between Islamic teachings and values and universal human rights frameworks. Women’s initiatives engage religious scholars and clerics in such discussions to raise awareness of universal human rights norms and dispel notions that human rights are Western and therefore an anathema to Islam. These programs share the roots of plurality and democracy in Islam.

Without using a religious discourse and legitimizing women rights through Islam, it would be difficult to decrease extremism and misogyny. Report also calls for more open support for women movements from international community. This is not surprising as the report is prepared by an international NGO. The important thing, as far as I am concerned, is that international community has to accept that religion/Islam can be pro-women. If it continues to hold its preconceived notions, shared by many Muslim women activists, that Islam is anti-women then it will lose the war against extremists. As the report acknowledges, West has not much legitimacy in the MMCs and international human rights discourse is assumed as a way of the West to colonize Muslims again. Islam has been nationalized and has become an important part of the national identity. Decrying Islam will not help and will be used by extremists to prove that the agenda of pro-women movements is not women but Islam. Therefore, West and Western NGOs have to decide whether they wants to liberate women or they wants to defeat Islam.