For centuries India has had Muslim rule and rulers - including female Sultans – yet, with the rise of Hindu fundamentalism, India’s Muslim history and the Muslim contribution is being obscured and downplayed. Against this background, the opportunities for Muslim women to raise their concerns over access to education rights and work opportunities, or to raise issues within Muslim personal law – including marriage, divorce and personal freedoms – are severely restricted. This new Report Muslim Women in India calls for an end to discrimination against Muslims in India and the oppression of Muslim women. The author Seema Kazi questions the way in which the rise of the Hindu right-wing has led to a tightening of the interpretations of Muslim women’s rights and freedoms, along with the subordination of Muslim women’s concerns to the demands of Muslim communal identity. This Report discusses: Muslim history in India pre- and postindependence and partition; Muslim men and women’s current position in India; Muslim women’s involvement in the wider women’s movements; and has a focus on gender, Islam and human rights. The Report concludes with an outlook for Muslims and Muslim women in India, and with a set of recommendations on some of the key issues to be addressed. Please note that the terminology in the fields of minority rights and indigenous peoples’ rights has changed over time. MRG strives to reflect these changes as well as respect the right to self-identification on the part of minorities and indigenous peoples. At the same time, after over 50 years’ work, we know that our archive is of considerable interest to activists and researchers. Therefore, we make available as much of our back catalogue as possible, while being aware that the language used may not reflect current thinking on these issues.

This report locates the political, socio-economic and legal position of Muslim women within a historical framework, beginning with the evolution of Islam in India and its subsequent interaction with Indian society. It emphasizes the diversity of women in Muslim communities and the range of factors influencing their status. Kazi traces the developments in discourses of gender vis-à-vis Muslim women from the late nineteenth century to the present day, and describes Muslim women's transition from being British subjects to Indian citizens. Muslim women's contributions within the women's movement are outlined, as well as the challenges they face as members of India's largest religious minority community.

Despite the fact that Muslim Women are among the most backward sections of Indian Society, they have not received adequate attention of the Government, social workers and academicians. Lack of education, poverty, economic dependency and ignorance of their rights have made them more vulnerable to exploitation. There is, therefore, an acute need to undertake researchers in order to identity problems specific to Muslim women and delineate the causes of their backwardness. This Volume includes papers presented by prominent contributors at a seminar, MUSLIM WOMEN : Problems and Prospects, held at the Aligarh Muslim University Women's College in 1990 and covers a wide range of subjects, such as legal nutrition, employment prospects, education, politics and role of media.

The book begins with the changing status of Muslim women and goes on to analyse the evolution of shari a the canon law of Islam and its interpretation in today s social context. Other problems dealt with include the controversial aspects of Muslim divorce laws in India, as compared with the changing legislation related to talaq in other Islamic countries.

This Book Throws Light On The Various Situations Which Colour The Profile Of Indian Muslim Women. The Authors Have Taken Care Of The Past And Present Conditions Of Muslim Women. As A Result, A Social Forecast For Their Future Is Possible. Historical Perspective Is A Unique Feature Of This Book, Especially As The Subsequent Chapters On Socio-Economic Perspectives Of The Contemporary Situation Create A Linkage Between The Past And The Present. Another Innovative Feature Is A Paper On The Participation Of Muslim Women In Panchayati Raj. Two Papers Have Also Been Devoted To Legal Problems And Muslim Personal Law. The Approach Of These Papers Include A Deep Sensitivity Of The Authors Towards The Sufferings Of Muslim Women Without Diluting The Objectivity.The Book Will Be Equally Useful For Academicians, Women Activists And Grassroot Workers.

This survey based study of Muslim women in India seeks to dispel popular misperceptions and stereotypes regarding their status, as well as seriously engage with academic debates on gender and Islam.