Islam Embraces Women

To the editors:

In recent years, both Muslims and non-Muslims have made significant advances towards a much greater respect and understanding of each other's cultures. This being the case, the quote by Associate Dean Karen Avery '87 in "Fazili Wins Women's Leadersh Award" (News, March 17) was especially disappointing. Avery stated that Sameera Fazili '00 "has risen to the position of president of the [Harvard] Islamic Society (HIS), which is most impressive considering the group's very conservative attitude towards women."

Fazili's receiving of the Harvard College Women's Leadership Award provides an excellent opportunity to revise and reassess the classic stereotypes of Islam as intrinsically misogynistic and oppressive; it is unfortunate that Dean Avery has not been able to take advantage of this opportunity. Fazili was elected by her Muslim classmates on the basis of the many outstanding qualities Dean Avery cites. Her gender did not enter the discussion until Dean Avery brought it up. Today, as before, the Islamic Society stands committed to the equality between men and women that characterizes the foundations of the Islamic faith. It should be noted that Fazili is not the first female president of the Harvard Islamic Society, nor is she the only current female board member. The treasurer and two out of three graduate advisors are also women, making the HIS board predominantly female.

We respectfully object to the broad-brush stereotyping of our diverse ideas and viewpoints as "very conservative," particularly given the discriminatory values attached by Dean Avery to that label.

Marwah Abdalla '00

Sara Hashmi '01

Saif I. Shah Mohammed '02