Talk on "Women in Islam"

Talk on “Women in Islam”

The Consular Women’s Club (CWC) New York organized a talk for its members on the topic of “Islam and Women” on 29 May 2008 at the Consulate General of Malaysia in New York.  About 30 people attended.  The talk was aimed towards creating greater awareness and better understanding about the position of islam regarding the status of women in society from various aspects – spiritually, socially, economically and politically. CWC is an association of the spouses of the Diplomatic Corps  in New York as well as several ladies of influence in the local community. 

The speaker was Imam Syamsi, a prominent local Imam who head’s the Islamic Cultural Center in Manhattan.  Imam Syamsi regularly engages himself in intellectual discourse on Islam and interfaith dialogue.  On several occasions the Fox TV sought his views to clarify on Islam’s position towards certain issues of concern.

Puan Jakkiah Sadik, Deputy President of the CWC noted there exist tremendous gap of misconceptions about Islam’s position towards women which she thought ought to be continuously clarified.  Issues like wearing of Hijab, alleged religious oppression of women etc. needed to be explained.  About 30 CWC members who had shown strong interest found the forum very useful and an eye opener in getting a better insight about the status of women in Islam.  She hoped that the talk would enhance the CWC members and their friends a better understanding on Islam’s position towards women.

During the talk, Imam Syamsi touched on the history of islam, Hijab, motherhood in Islam, women’s leadership, equality etc.  Several penetrating issues were raised during the Q & A session including Islam’s position towards women as a leader, the concept of marriage in Islam, misconception about Madrassah (Arabic language for an education center), modernization in islam and issues affecting rights of women etc.

In general, CWC members found that the talk was excellent, worthwhile attending and very informative which helped clear some doubts about Islam and women’s position in Islam.  Many thought Imam Syamsi’s response and clarification was very precise and lucid.  Interestingly, there have been requests by some members for more of these talks in future.  

Consulate General Malaysia

New York

29 May 2008