Contrary to what many Westerners believe, Islam has a rich tradition of secular painting in spite of its ban on images. It is only in religious rituals that the use of pictorial representation is totally prohibited. Fatema Mernissi bancontraryimage share on social
One cannot understand what's happening to women in the Middle East if they don't realize that the mothers are a strong, progressive force. The mothers push the daughters to get out of the harem, to get the education, to achieve what they could not even dream of. Fatema Mernissi achievedaughterdream share on social
You find in the Koran hundreds of verses to support women's rights, and perhaps four or five that do not. Fatema Mernissi findhundredkoran Change image and share on social
Morocco is such a beautiful place. It's incredibly beautiful. And also it is captivating place because for a writer, you feel that you make impact. I mean, when I write something in the press, the day after in the fish market, people will be discussing it. Fatema Mernissi beautifulcaptivateday share on social
Since all power from the seventh century on was only legitimated by religion, political forces and economic interests pushed for the fabrication of false traditions. Fatema Mernissi centuryeconomicfabrication Change image and share on social
If, by chance, you were to meet me at the Casablanca airport or on a boat sailing from Tangiers, you would think me self-confident, but I am not. Even now, at my age, I am frightened when crossing borders because I am afraid of failing to understand strangers. Fatema Mernissi afraidageairport share on social
In Islamic societies, politicians can manipulate almost everything. But thus far, no fundamentalist leader has been able to convince his supporters to renounce Islam's central virtue - the principle of strict equality between human beings, regardless of sex, race, or creed. Fatema Mernissi beingcentralconvince share on social
The Taliban is the Muslim version of the Salem witch trials. Fatema Mernissi muslimsalemtaliban Change image and share on social
While Muslim men describe themselves as insecure in their harems, real or imagined, Westerners describe themselves as self-assured heroes with no fears of women. The tragic dimension so present in Muslim harems - fear of women and male self-doubt - is missing in the Western harem. Fatema Mernissi assuredescribedimension share on social
In Morocco, for a woman to earn her own living is the essential concern. Fatema Mernissi concernearnessential Change image and share on social
