by Ramlah Malhi-Saifi
Often the progress of a nation is hampered by those with corrupt agendas. Yet all it takes is one law to change the tides. Such is the case in Pakistan. The Punjab Province in Pakistan recently passed a law protecting women from abuse of any sort. The Protection of Women Against Violence Bill protects women from physical violence, abusive language, stalking, and cyber crimes against women in Punjab.
To a citizen of Western democracies, these human rights are assumed. It might come as a surprise to us that Punjab is only now making this law. Although the protection of women from violence should always have been a universal right, the Punjab government should be commended for finally taking steps in the right direction within a culture that creates intolerance for women. Women are abused every day in Pakistan, especially the rural areas, in the name of pride, family name, and religion. Despite the history of government corruption producing corrupt laws in Pakistan, I am proud that Pakistan has finally stepped up to try to protect its female citizens. But sadly this law comes with opposition. So called Islamic pundits in the area, such as Fazlur Rehman the chief of Jamat-i-Ulema Islam, are claiming this bill is “un-Islamic.” Rehman argues that “this law is an attempt to make Pakistan a Western colony again.” As an Ahmadi Muslim, I am saddened by such ignorance when Islam has established so many rights for women.
It is a common misconception that women in Islam have no rights or status. In reality, Islam, before any society, was the first to grant women rights. Islam is progressive in its thinking compared to the society of the time from which it came. The women in Arabia 1,400 years ago had minimal, if any, rights and were seen merely as a piece of property that men could use, give away, and inherit from father and brothers. While American society accorded the rights of inheritance to women in 1820, Islam was the first religion and society to grant women such rights and gave them the power to maintain their identity in the early 7th century. Pakistan, contrary to Fazlur Rehman’s view, is not becoming a Western colony rather it is taking a step closer to becoming the True Islamic Republic of Pakistan by granting women protection against people like Fazlur Rehman and their so-called “Islam.”
Pakistan is finally starting to protect one of the key players in its society – the women. They are finally giving women protection, which the Qur’an gave centuries ago. The Holy Qur’an directs Muslim men to protect women and give them all their rights. Men are the protectors and maintainers of women because of what Allah has preferred one with over the other and because what they spend to support them from their wealth” [Surah al-Nisa: 35]. Islam also granted women rights to inherit and venture out to seek knowledge and build a career. Khadija, the wife of the Prophet Muhammad, was herself a very successful business women. The Holy Prophet said, ‘Seeking knowledge is a duty upon every Muslim.’ The reason that Mr. Sherani gives for the law to be un-Islamic is thus proven wrong. While it is true that many Muslim countries seemingly oppress women, and blame is placed on the religion of Islam, we need to start to educate ourselves and protect all women from abuse in Muslim nations. We, as a progressive and educated society, need to understand that such faults lie with humans and not the religion. Efforts such as the True Islam and the Extremists campaign are necessary to educate Muslims that Islam is not the cause of extremist ideas against women, rather it is a cultural male bias upholding discrimination against women. Let’s learn the difference together at TrueIslam.com.
Ramlah Malhi-Saifi is an associate team member of the True Islam and the Extremists campaign and can be followed @RamlahMalhi
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