A variety of cultural factors lead to women, particularly Muslim women, being targeted in the Arab World and beyond, Bahija Bint Baha Azzi, Secretary General of the International Muslim Organization for Women and Family (IMOWF) and part-time adviser at the Shoura Council, has said. “In my view, some societies have cultures that marginalize women and prevent them having a more active role in the world they live in through instilling discrimination between the sexes, resulting in a conflict,” Azzi told Roaa magazine. “Excluding women from public affairs will not help advancement and development, and treating women as man's equal partner without discrimination is better for the whole of society.” On Saudi women, Azzi said that misconceptions in customs and traditions affect the way they are treated, but cited no single cause. “We have problems, in both society in general and women in particular, that can't be put down to one single reason, but there is a culture of customs and traditions that form the individual's conduct leading to the suffering of women in the Arab World and Saudi women. That culture has caused women to lose part of their status and lose some of their rights.” Fatwas and change “The causes are complicated, but a basic element is the unsuccessful independent jurisprudential (fiqh) decrees (fatwas) which fail to respond to the times and the resultant changes in people's circumstances and the requirements of their lives. The most prominent of these decrees are those that address women's issues. Women are the first victims of these independent jurisprudential opinions which, although well-intentioned, are not capable of solving the problems of our age.” “As to how we can solve this problem, I repeat that we should abide by our religion Islam – the religion of moderation – and derive from its pure spring the help to carry out the message with which we have been delegated to develop this nation. This religion has set out well-established principles and rules from which we should not deviate. Allah has honored this country as the cradle of Islam so that the greatest human figure in the world would forge ahead to call people across the world to Allah. Islam is a universal religion in its thought and interaction with others, and possesses a cultural depth and humanitarian perspective. Islam is a balanced moderate religion in thought and practice on the basis of the Holy Qur'an and the Prophet's Sunnah. It seeks renewal while heeding its well-established principles, and advocates development.” On King Abdullah's initiative to have a dialogue among the monotheistic religions, Azzi said “Islam orders us to engage in dialogue and respect others even if we differ with them, all of which qualifies us to form a nucleus for future work through which we can say we have fulfilled our role for our religion and nation, and in gratitude to the bounties granted by Allah – the religion and nation.” Azzi also discussed the work of the IMOWF for women and families in the Kingdom and abroad, women and the Shoura Council, and the treatment of women and Muslim women across the world. The IMOWF is a non-profit organization relying on donations, zakat and charities for its funding and, according to Azzi, “works to achieve family and social security”. Its importance, she says, rests on the need for “an institution that bases its work and performance on the concept of universality, which includes the importance of the universality of Islamic culture, the reference point for our cultural identity”. “It's about the importance of communicating with others, whether individuals or groups,” Azzi said, “to learn from each other and to coexist with other communities with common human values.” Any organization, she said, should base its work on two factors, the cultural and organizational and administrative aspects. “As it relies in its practical work on sociocultural concepts that govern the individual's social conduct, we have had to focus through our programs on correcting misconceptions and negative views.” Talking about developmental policies in the Kingdom and the current reform process, she said it was always good to have a change for the better, “but we have to keep in mind our heritage, our culture before embracing any change.” Change, especially social change, always faces challenges, she said. “This reflects on the majority's concern for social care work and supporting its programs more than supporting its development programs that are related to the sustainability and development of social work. This is one of the difficulties we are facing.” Communication The IMOWF serves Saudi women and families with projects such as the “Handasat Al-Usra” building and renovation scheme to create awareness in women of their own capabilities. “The organization seeks to educate and promote awareness in society using the latest available technology, such as the Internet and its website dedicated to issues related to women, children and the family,” Azzi said. “That way we can communicate and interact with the largest number of people possible and keep in touch with social activists. This is evident in the project “Electronic gate for the Family”, which has reached an advanced stage, but needs more time and support before it can be fully launched. We also seek to improve women's skills and train them to lead the way in terms of developing social initiatives and responsibilities.” Women, she said, have an important role, and the experiment with “women as advisers in the Shoura Council was a great milestone for the Kingdom,” recognized both at home and abroad. “Female advisers have been part of the Shoura Council delegation at the International Parliaments Federation that is held annually around the world. We also attend the meetings of the Shoura Council committees, where we give views on regulations for societies and public institutions. Women advisers give advice and proffer opinions, and also draw up reports and working papers.” Azzi said the international nature of IMOWF work is a reflection of its Islamic principles. “We are the children of the universal Islamic culture,” Azzi added. “We have an effect on others and are ourselves affected by others. It is not right to restrict this culture and this Islamic heritage to a certain category or a specific region. We should obey what Allah ordained to His Prophet (peace be upon him) when He said, ‘And We have sent you [O Muhammad (peace be upon him)] not but as a mercy for the Alamin (mankind, jinn and all that exists).' [Surah 21. Al-Anbiya, verse 107]. This is what Allah has ordained for us to do, to construct and develop the earth. We are only the inheritors of this trust.”
