Date of Graduation
12-2011
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts in Political Science (MA)
Degree Level
Graduate
Department
Political Science
Advisor/Mentor
Ghadbian, Najib
Committee Member
Gordon, Joel S.
Second Committee Member
Kahf, Mohja
Keywords
Social sciences; Colonialism; Gender equality; Islam; Politics
Abstract
For centuries the West has seen the Muslim woman as an entire group of people in need of saving. Lacking a thorough understanding of Islam and an incredibly diverse Middle Eastern society, Western powers endeavored to shape women of the Middle East into secular, modern examples of "liberated" women. Completely unacknowledged in this pursuit are the grass roots movements that emerged out of nationalist movements in the early twentieth century. An attempt to understand why the West is so incredibly fascinated by Muslim is undertaken in this scholarly pursuit. Additionally, a case study on the nation of Egypt shows not only the rights enjoyed by Muslim women throughout the centuries, but the specific tenure of gender activism unique to this area of the world.
Citation
Haller, K. (2011). Muslim Women and the West: Faith, Feminism, and the Quest for Gender Equality. Graduate Theses and Dissertations Retrieved from https://scholarworks.uark.edu/etd/161
Included in
Near and Middle Eastern Studies Commons, Other Political Science Commons, Women's Studies Commons
