
a virtual book event
January 13-20, 2010
stories by and about women
SAVE the DATE for this virtual book event coming next month.
One of the guest authors for the event is Ida Lichter who has written...

Inspiring Voices Against Oppression
Description from the amazon:
In a world where the strident demands of Islamic extremists capture the media's attention, the courageous protests of Muslim reformers barely receive any notice. These include a surprising number of women who are prepared to challenge institutionalized persecution, risking derision, arrest, physical harm, and even death.
In this inspiring compilation of Muslim women's stories from around the world, the voices of these long-oppressed women ring loud and clear as they question ideology and culture, patriarchal and religious beliefs, and demand the social and political rights women lack in many Muslim countries. The reformers speak out with passion, humanity, and sometimes humor in these compact and often poignant biographies, bringing alive the harsh realities for women in many parts of the world.
By surveying a wide range of Muslim reformers, not only in the Middle East but also in Europe and North America, author Ida Lichter uncovers some significant emerging trends. For example, she notes that the majority of Muslim feminists would like to see reform contained within Islam. Many criticize their patriarchal culture for suppressing egalitarian views that they believe the Koran expresses and so they advocate a reinterpretation of the holy text. Some demand changes to discriminatory Sharia-based laws. Others campaign openly for political and educational reforms.
Complete with a glossary and a list of helpful Web sites, this vibrant anthology makes use of reliable translations from original languages to demonstrate the groundswell of grassroots change that promises eventually to bring even the most conservative sectors of Islam into the twenty-first century.
Open to all.
Offer ends: January 30, 2011
TO DO:
Ever wonder about the women in this world?
1. Ask author, Ida, a question in regards to her book or Muslim women in comments along with your email in comments.
2. Come back during the Women's Tales event next month to read Ida's response.
--- questions are closed ---
RESPONSES are here.
INSTEAD, tell me something of interest you learned from Ida's blog entries on the Huffington Post.
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Contest has ended - winner is here
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* if you are a blogger and would like a review this book, get your copy here
* image source
This book does sound very informative and something I would be interested in reading.
ReplyDeleteWhat was the catalyst for writing Muslim Women Reformers?
How many years did it take to research and write this book?
Did you speak to muslim men at all?
What changes do you want to see and what is the possibility of it happening (in your opinion)?
Do you remain objective as an author in the book?
You can pick one question if you want.
Thanks,
k_anon[at]hotmail[dot]co[dot]uk
Ida, Have you ever read the Qu'ran? Was it part of your research for writing this novel?
ReplyDeleteMy thinking is if you really want to be an impartial writer, you need to see all sides. Hence why I ask the question.
This sounds like a terrific book that I would eat right up.
Oh, this looks fantastic! I can't wait. Another awesome theme.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read this book but would be curious to hear Ms Lichter's thoughts on legislation meant to support 'liberation' of Islamic women and how Muslim reformers work with/against it. For example, France's decision to ban the wearing headscarves or the legislation in Oklahoma banned sharia law. Are these efforts helpful ever?
Er, typed too quickly. My second to last sentence should read "...or the legislation in Oklahoma that banned..."
ReplyDeleteWhat is the thing with the Crime of honour?
ReplyDeleteraluk.93 at gmail(dot)com
What a beautiful and timely book! And my Q would be: are Muslim men (as a whole) themselves becoming more liberal in their thinking/attitudes/treatment regarding women?
ReplyDeleteDid you notice an age descrepancy in the age of woman that want reform? For example, numbers of older woman vs. younger.
ReplyDeletetwoofakind12@yahoo.com
What is your view of Marjane Satrapi's "Persepolis"?
ReplyDeleteagcestrela {AT} gmail {DOT} com
If during your life time Muslim women could reconquer only one their rights, which would be more crucial?
ReplyDeletedr.strangelove.vs.citizen.kane
@
gmail.com
I will do the same question I did to Xu Xi:
ReplyDeleteDo you feel it is more difficult for you to reach all of your potential readers for being a woman writer?
goncalo (dot) mil (at) gmail (dot) com
What makes you a writer that appeals to readers worldwide and not only to a small group of people?
ReplyDeleteThis sounds very interesting! I had a chance to learn a little bit about muslim culture in a medieval history class in college but needless to say, I'm a bit outdated.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, my questions is why did you choose to write about this topic? Where did the idea come from?
What do you hope will be your greatest achievement with this book?
ReplyDeletejoanapatriciadias [_at_] gmail.com
What is your greatest strength as a writer?
ReplyDeleteeduchico AT gmail DOT com
In order to truly understand the Muslim societies, what books do you recommend?
ReplyDeletecatarina(dot)magoito(at)gmail(dot)com
A friend told me that a woman's status in the Muslim society is lower than a man and her every move is highly restricted. Is that true? If yes, why is that so?
ReplyDeleteaikychien at yahoo dot com
What makes you really interested in doing research and writing the book? Any particular reason?
ReplyDeletedarlyn225 at gmail dot com
After reading a couple of books by Lisa
ReplyDeleteSee, I found I now like to read this type of book. It really opens you eye as to other cultures.
cenya2 at hotmail dot com