THE MANY FACES OF ARAB WOMEN CONFERENCE
Why Attend?
Many Westerners have been fascinated and confused by the historical, cultural, and diverse background of Arab women. For example, non-Arabs often wonder:
- Why do some Arab women cover themselves while others don’t;
- Are Muslim women allowed to marry non-Muslim men?
- Under Muslim law, are women allowed to divorce their husbands?
- What’s the difference between Sunni and Shia?
The fact that many of these women are veiled has led historians and anthropologists to believe that they are victims of misogynist societies and that they have been dispossessed of their rights due to cultural or religious practices. Fortunately, on-going research has shed light on many elements of the social diversity of Arab women. Conference participants will listen to specialists in the field as well as to local experts in Arab women’s studies. This conference offers a path to a better understanding of the similarities and differences among Arab women today. This conference will increase the visibility of Arab women and contribute to a new understanding of race, gender, equality, and community and attest to the importance of these women in their roles as public political figures and as sources of spiritual inspiration to others.