City's Muslim community seek to educate on women's rights in Islam

Members of Glasgow’s Muslim community are working to change people’s opinions about women’s rights in the Islamic religion.

Following the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan, there have been increasing reports over the change in status for women in accessing education or having a job.

While the barbaric and outdated restrictions are being enforced by the hard-line Taliban government however, they have led to conflicting views and some beliefs that women hold an inferior status, or that are not truly free, when practising Islam.

Now Glasgow’s Ahmadiyya Muslim Community are looking to educate people and are hosting a unique online event on Sunday to discuss the misconceptions of women’s rights in the Islamic religion.

The virtual event will be streamed live across Facebook and YouTube on October 3 at 6pm where viewers will be able to listen to talks and have their questions answered.

The event is being held online on Sunday.

Spokesperson Ahmed Owusu-Konadu said: “One of the areas which is very much misunderstood in the public eye is the rights of women in Islam.

“The media don’t tend to show this side of Islam, they report on the Taliban and other organisations who abuse women. People think that is what Islam teaches.

“The rule of the Taliban has become an issue because the women in the country are trying to move out, they have been stopped from achieving an education or working.

“We thought now is the right time to educate the public and let them know what the teachings of Islam are and show that the atrocities which are happening around the world by these so-called Islamic nations, are not associated with our religion.”

It is hoped Sunday’s event will open the public’s eyes to the fact that Islam teaches that the rights of women are equal to men.

Owusu-Konadu added: “When it comes to the spiritual aspect both men and women are equal in the eyes of God. Whatever station a man can reach a woman can reach as well and vice versa.

“However when it comes to the physical aspect the way the almighty God has made us is a bit different and we include that in our responsibilities with our families, in the community and within the religious sector.

“For instance men and women don’t play together in football because the physical build up is different. When it comes to athletics, women wouldn’t run with Usain Bolt because that is unfair.

“It comes down to the physical aspect of it. God has made man physically stronger and bigger which would mean we use that form of protection for the women.

“If you see a man abusing a woman, that is contrary to what his build is supposed to be used for. He is supposed to protect his wife and family.”

On Sunday anyone, from any religion or background, can attend and ask the panel their questions about the religion.

Owusu-Konadu added: “People should come to this platform of education. Education is key. Education is power. We need to look at people in the right way rather than stereotyping them and understanding what they stand for.

“Because groups like the Taliban and Isis align themselves with Islam for their own selfish interests people mistake that for the Islam religion.

“They hide behind that beautiful teaching.”

The live broadcast will be able to be accessed via YouTube or Facebook.

By Catherine Hunter, Local Democracy Reporter