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
The waves of religion based on terrorism in the 1990s are based on the tormented response of a mutilated Muslim society whose progressive forces have been savagely emasculated. Why on earth is the Arab world so hostile to women? Why can it not see women as a force for development? Fatema Mernissi 1990sarabbase share on social
Consumerist ads brainwash us into individualist and egotistic self-love. Fatema Mernissi brainwashconsumeristegotistic Change image and share on social
If there is one thing that the women and men of the late 20th century who have an awareness and enjoyment of history can be sure of, it is that Islam was not sent from Heaven to foster egotism and mediocrity. Fatema Mernissi 20thawarenesscentury share on social
In the 1920s, big names in the Arab world spoke of Scheherazade as an example for intellectuals fighting for their rights. She was a fighter for the right of free expression. Fatema Mernissi 1920sarabbig Change image and share on social
To understand the fanatic rejection of women's liberation in the Muslim world, one has to take into account the time factor. Most of us educated women have illiterate mothers. The conservative wave against women in the Muslim world is a defense mechanism against profound changes in both sex roles and the touchy subject of sexual identity. Fatema Mernissi accountconservativedefense share on social
Someone else is going to read for me or go at my place to the mosque, and/or to tell me you shouldn't take anything from the West because the West is the enemy and so on. It is to me to decide. I am intelligent enough to be critical towards the West and take what I need and reject what is bad for me. Fatema Mernissi badcriticaldecide share on social
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
A woman can walk miles without making one single step forward. As a child born in a harem, I instinctively knew that to live is to open closed doors. To live is to look outside. To live is to step out. Life is trespassing. Fatema Mernissi bearchildclose share on social
If women's rights are a problem for some modern Muslim men, it is neither because of the Quran nor the Prophet, nor the Islamic tradition, but simply because those rights conflict with the interests of a male elite. Fatema Mernissi conflicteliteinterest share on social