Discuss the role of women in Islam.

What will be an ideal response?

The role and status of women in Islam is often seen to be a controversial issue. Introduce students to the women who played a prominent role in the early community of Muslims. Place this in context of the development of Shari’a law over time that reflects harsher and more patriarchal views of women. Following are aspects of Shari’a law that should be highlighted: Muslim men are permitted four wives, if they can treat them equally; men may divorce their wives for any reason, but women must negotiate for divorce. In addition, discuss the hajib or covering of women and its various interpretations; some see it as a sign of the suppression of women’s rights, and others see it as liberating as it prevents women from being seen by strangers as sex objects.