Center for Islamic Studies and Researches on Women Issues
CERIF
Introduction:
The most sensitive issues of the Islamic civilization project are certainly women issues and their relations with social institutions. These issues are deeply rooted in human history, the laws that run them are very often intermingled with customs and traditions more than with high values.
The Center:
The centre for Islamic Studies and Researches on Women Issues was founded in Mars 2009. Its creation is an answer to the concern of the EFOMW members and to that of numerous academicians. It responds to the urgent need for studies contributing To Muslim women progress and the fulfillment of their role as members of society taking part in the building of civilization. The centre aims at getting the Muslim women rid of the preconceived ideas and negative traditions that hinder the capacities of women in general and Muslim ones in particular.
Why do we create the Center?
To respond to the following challenges
1/ The situation undergone by Muslim women in European society: they face challenges and obstacles preventing them from setting the due balance between their desire to preserve their Islamic identity and their desire to integrate their respective societies as citizens having rights and duties.
2/ The image the media vehicle about the status of women in Islam
3/ The wrong ideas propagated by some Muslims about women’s place and role in the society.
4/ The confusion between customs and traditions from one part and the authentic Islamic values honoring women from other part.
5/ The sufferings experienced by women in various societies.
Philosophical background:
The centre’s philosophical background refers to Quran and Authentic Hadiths which texts define Human dignity, justice an equality as the main finalities of Sharia, the Quran says “We have honored the children of Adam” 17/70; “…That He did create the pairs, male and female…” 53/45
God, the Almighty, gives the criterion of preference between human beings: piety and righteousness: “O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise each other). Verily the most honored of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things).” 49/13
Thus, men and women are the two pillars of human race and they’re differentiated by their sex. This difference cannot and must not be used to discriminate against women or to treat them unjustly. Islam respects the difference between men and women but doesn’t consider it as factor of superiority of inferiority. Only good deeds engender rewards: « And their Lord hath accepted of them, and answered them: "Never will I suffer to be lost the work of any of you, be he male or female: ye are members one of another…" 3/195
The Center’s goals:
The centre aims at:
1/ developing a balanced female personality; empowering women on different levels: existential, legal, social and political as part of the mission of liberating humankind, male and female, in order to achieve high human values.
2/ Enhancing women’s capacities both spiritual, intellectual, scientific and cultural ones.
3/ Reinforcing women self confidence, and allowing them to be active and efficient participants in building civilization.
4/ Referencing the research about women issues and contributing with existing institutions to reinforce scientific studies targeting the creating of theoretical frame to highlight the adequate image of Muslim women and their positive role in society.
Means and tools:
To achieve its goals, the centre:
1/ leads studies and researches
2/ calls specialists from different horizons to write papers
3/ organizes seminaries and symposia
4/ publishes studies and researches serving the aims of the centre
5/ creates a specialized library on women issues
6/ develops a website
7/ publishes a periodical
Paris / May 2009
