Category Archives: International Women’s Khilafah Conference in Tunisia

International Women’s Khilafah Conference in Tunisia Part 5

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The conference began with the remembrance of Allah and His words. Then various women who were members of Hizb ut Tahrir from different parts of the world spoke about the conditions that not just the muslim women is enduring in todays world but also the woman at large. Although the feminist movements of the West have managed to fight for and achieve many rights that were denied to the western women until recently such as the right to personhood under the law, political rights, and the right to property, a cursory look at even western societies would show that even according to their own criteria they have missed the mark. Women still make less money than men for the same work, still face the proverbial glass ceiling, get discriminated in business and politics, face sexual harassment, and they are still victims of mild to severe forms of violence. One of the speakers related that one woman gets raped every minute in America, the torchbearer of freedom and secularism in the world.  So these are failures even according to the feminist movements. From the Islamic perspective and even from the perspective of feminist scholars, the west has lead to the humiliation of women through their objectification in society through the media, art, and cultural norms such as beauty standards, stripping and prostitution. Women are only seen to have worth as instruments of sexual pleasure and if they meet certain standards of beauty. This cultural pressure has led women in the west to mete out such horrific forms of abuse on their own bodies such as plastic surgery, implants, toxic injections, bulimia and anorexia…all in the service of remaking their image to be desirable to men and to be valued by society.

One of the speakers talked about how Islam has elevated the woman so that she doesn’t seek to compete with the man or seek value from being desirable to every man that lays eyes on her because Islam has freed her from setting him as her standard or her criterion for success. It has given her role in the family and society an honoured position. She is appreciated and valued as a mother, a wife, a daughter, and a sister. She has the grave and necessary task of raising the next generation of Muslims. She is a seen as a partner in the marriage and in fulfilling this duty. Her honour and dignity are to be protected by the state. She is also guaranteed education and healthcare rights by the state. In fact, during the reign of the Islamic state Muslim women excelled in education such that they rose to the level of scholars and even the first university al-Qarawiyin in Fez, Morocco was built by a Muslim woman, Fatima al Fihri. Sadly, such a system which implements these laws and propagates these values does not exist in the Muslim world today. Therefore the Muslim woman does not enjoy these benefits that Islam gives her. Instead she lives under dictatorial capitalist regimes which are subservient to Western interests. There is no protection for her, her economic or social justice. The speaker reminded us of the time when just one woman was dishonoured by a Roman soldier and the Ameer Mutassim sent an army to defend her honour.

So some of speakers about the plight of the woman in the Muslim world in the absence of such a system. The speaker from Indonesia talked about the oppression that women there face due to the economic injustice of the capitalist system and the extreme levels of poverty in certain sectors of society. Women are forced to work almost as slave labour for foreign multinationals who exploit their desperation. The economic hardships puts pressure on the entire family and the mental and emotional stress often leads to violence against women. The women from many different parts of the world spoke about the injustice and violence committed against the woman and the insecurity they face in the Muslim world also. They also spoke about the political repression that not only women but men also face under the current system in the Muslim world where the leaders are puppets of western nations and never hesitate to hand the resources to western interests, oppress and subjugate the people and torture and kill anyone who dares to resist. These economic and political conditions which create insecurity and disharmony in the society and family life which leads to the abuse of women.

Tunisia: My trip to the birthplace of the Arab Spring

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WEDNESDAY, 21 MARCH 2012 17:22 MELEK BEYZADE

On the 8th March 2012, I travelled with four others to Tunis to attend the International Women’s Conference hosted by Hizb ut Tahrir. In a matter of five days this experience proved to be an eye opening one and our hearts were inspired. The land of Tunis is truly a place of beauty. Lush fields, mountains dressing the landscape and olive trees decorating the view. The baraqah in this land was apparent to see, yet upon my return I felt an assortment of emotions.

My initial impression upon arrival was one of sadness and disappointment. I felt heaviness in my heart as I saw the presence of alcohol and Muslim women without the correct Islamic attire. Had the fallen regime of Tunis done this much damage to the Muslim identity?

But Alhamdulillah, the pious Muslim woman emerged and became a frequent and dominant part of the landscape. As our short journey continued and we interacted with the locals, we could see just how much love the ummah of Tunis has for Islam and their yearning for the shari’ah to solve their problems. For so many years, they were strangled by their corrupt, secular government that would not even allow the wearing of hijab. Tunisians were left voiceless and lifeless, unable to express what was in their hearts and minds.

However, since the Arab spring revolutions and fall of the tyrant Ben Ali, vitality has flowed back into her. The ummah of Tunis have now awoken and are seeking the Islamic solution. Whilst some are still confused and under the illusion that a secular, democratic government is the way forward, many are looking to Islam. In their pursuit for Islam, the Ennahdah party was voted into power, but in the words of a Tunisian, ‘nothing has changed.’ Women can not wear the niqab, graduates are unemployed and some of the fortunate ones could be working for a measly 10 dinar a day. It was only last week that a brother was killed for calling for Islam. The people feel disappointed and let down. It has not taken them long to realise that the Islam they were hoping and calling for was not realised by the Ennahdah party.

We were fortunate to see for ourselves just where the Arab Spring began. The burnt out government cars, covered in graffiti and fixed in place as monuments so that this historical moment can never be forgotten. We found ourselves standing in the streets where it all began. French inspired buildings, a reminder of French colonialism and the anti- government graffiti on the walls. I felt sad for the sufferings of our ummah and those who had lost their lives during this time, but at the same time proud and happy for the brave stand that they made and how it marked the start of change for the Muslim world.

Just a ten minute walk through the market place took us to the doorstep of the great Zaytuna Masjid. Built in 84 Hijri it was one of the first learning centres of Islam. I suddenly went from the present day revolution, back over a thousand years to the time of the Khilafah State. As we stood in the courtyard, I looked around and felt the greatness of Islam. I remembered what I had read about this masjid, its atmosphere and the greatness it produced. I felt very sad that a courtyard which was once bustling with discussion and learning could now be so empty and silent. However, as I stood contemplating the beautiful words of the Qur’an al Kareem descended upon my ears as a brother passed by reciting. At that moment, I thought about the revolutions, the ummah’s yearning for Islam and felt so hopeful that the glory which once inhabited this mosque would soon return.

The day of the conference further reinforced this hope. Women poured into the conference venue, some from other parts of the world. Indonesia, Belgium, Sudan, Turkey, Australia, Canada, the UK and more. What a momentous occasion. One year ago, the ummah of Tunis could never have spoken openly about Islam. Dawah carriers were imprisoned, some had to bury their Islamic books from fear of the regime and it was deemed a crime to wear the hijab. However, on the 10th March 2012, the women of Hizb ut Tahrir held such a historical event, clarifying to the ummah the way forward. Delegates were flown in from many different countries delivering speeches on the issue of women, the Khilafah and the way forward for the Muslim world. The talks were comprehensive, clear, accurate and enlightening.

On this day, the Hizb expressed what the ummah had felt all along and provided her with the clarity that she had been seeking. All discussions were focused around the Khilafah state. The foyer area was buzzing with media covering the event and even the hotel staff were discussing and taking literature from the stalls. Every attendee wanted to know about the Islamic solution and how they could be a part of it. I realised then that the women of Tunis were beyond discussing whether Islam was a personal religion or not. They were looking to understand the Islamic system of governance as a true solution to the political problems they were facing which affected every one of them, every day of their lives. As they found what they were looking for, the takbirs, the chants for Khilafah and the expression of emotion resonated throughout the day. The atmosphere was electric, raw and authentic.

After the day of the conference, we visited various masaajid, met more locals and felt their warmth and wonderful hospitality. But, there was one more significant part of our journey which I wish to narrate. We had travelled to Sousse, south of the capital. From there we visited Kairouan, often referred to as the town of one hundred masjids. Within Kairouan we found the amazing Masjid of Sidi-Uqba built by the great Uqba ibn Nafi who led the military campaigns opening North Africa to Islam. This was another structure of sheer elegance and beauty. Thought to have been built in approximately 50 Hijri and often perceived as Islam’s fourth holiest site, once again I was taken back to the time of Islam.

Every stone of this Masjid which was also a world famous centre of learning carried so much history. Many great men of the past walked its courtyard and prayed within its walls. As we walked alongside the outer walls of the Masjid, we noticed something on the wall by one of the huge wooden doors. We moved closer to take a look and discovered that it was actually a poster for the conference that we had just attended. As we continued to walk on, we saw more posters and banners. We felt elated and very excited for this represented something so wonderful. It was so perfectly symbolic. A modern day poster calling for the Khilafah on the wall of one of the oldest Masjids built during the Khilafah, in the town of Kairouan where not so long ago one would have been arrested for challenging the government or calling for Islam. It then became so evident to me that the tidal wave of the Islamic revival was so real and building in momentum every day. It reminded me of the verse of the Quran Al Kareem whereby Allah سبحانه وتعالى says,

يُرِيدُونَ أَنْ يُطْفِئُوا نُورَ اللَّهِ بِأَفْوَاهِهِمْ وَيَأْبَى اللَّهُ إِلَّا أَنْ يُتِمَّ نُورَهُ وَلَوْ كَرِهَ الْكَافِرُونَ

“They wish to extinguish Allah’s light with their mouths but Allah will not allow but that His light should be perfected, even though the unbelievers may detest it.” [al-Tawba, 9:32]

Our history spans over 1400 years of greatness, but we have found ourselves in a devastating period without our Khaleefah and the Islamic system to implement the Quran and Sunnah, to protect its citizens and spread this deen of truth as a mercy to all of mankind. However, I look to the ummah of Tunis and everywhere in the world. Their courage, perseverance and love for Islam. I think about the Muslims in the West who have rejected Democracy, Secularism, Freedom and all Western values. Then I remember the promise of Allah سبحانه وتعالى regarding the victory of Islam and the Muslims and my heart is filled with so much hope.

Upon returning home I have brought so much back with me. However, the most important realization is that more than ever our increased efforts to work for the Islamic revival is needed. The magnitude of our responsibility cannot be underestimated at all. I saw with my own eyes and heard with my own ears the suffering of our ummah due to the absence of Islam. But, her suffering is not separate from ours. We are of the same body. Her pain is our pain and our pain is hers. Therefore, this noble duty to work for the Islamic revival must be undertaken by us all, with everything that we have to give. Our beloved Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم was most truthful when he صلى الله عليه وسلم said,

“The grinding wheel of Islam is turning so turn wherever it turns.” [Tabarani]

Our ummah suffers much oppression at the hands of our tyrant rulers and corrupt regimes but the Western world is also suffering the darkness of ignorance. May Allah سبحانه وتعالى keep us steadfast and grant us the victory soon Insha’ Allah. Ameen.

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