Muslim Women in Postcolonial Kenya: Leadership, Representation, and Social Change

Description

In education, journalism, legislative politics, social justice, health, law, and other arenas, Muslim women across Kenya are emerging as leaders in local, national, and international contexts, advancing reforms through their activism. Muslim Women in Postcolonial Kenya draws on extensive interviews with six such women, revealing how their religious and moral beliefs shape reform movements that bridge ethnic divides and foster alliances in service of creating a just, multicultural, multiethnic, and multireligious democratic citizenship.            Mwalim Azara Mudira opened a school of theology for Muslim women. Nazlin Omar Rajput of The Nur magazine was a pioneer in reporting on HIV/AIDS in the Muslim community. Amina Abubakar, host of a women's radio show, has publicly addressed the sensitive subject of sexual crimes against Muslim women. Two women who are members of parliament are creating new socioeconomic and political opportunities for girls and women, within a framework that still embraces traditional values of marriage and motherhood.            Examining the interplay of gender, agency, and autonomy, Ousseina D. Alidou shows how these Muslim women have effected change in the home, the school, the mosque, the media, and more—and she illuminates their determination as actors to challenge the oppressive influences of male-dominated power structures. In looking at differences as opportunities rather than obstacles, these women reflect a new sensibility among Muslim women and an effort to redefine the meaning of women's citizenship within their own community of faith and within the nation. Contents List of Illustrations Acknowledgments Abbreviations Introduction Preliminary Remarks Muslim Women in Kenya: A Sketch Methodology Outline of the Book Chapter 1: Bi Swafiya Muhashamy-Said: A Pioneer in Reforming Chuo (Madrasa) Nursery Curriculum in Kenya and Beyond Introduction The Colonial Beginning: A Historical Background to Muslim Education Postcolonial Developments: Muslim Education The New Vision: Modern Integrated Madrasa Nursery Curriculum Conclusion Chapter 2: The Ma’had Tradition of Mwalim Azara Mudira: Creating a Woman’s Space for Islamic Education in Kenya Introduction Muslim Women Educators: A Background The Making of Mwalim Azara Mudira and the Founding of the Ma’had Conclusion Chapter 3: Muslim Women Legislators in Minority Status: Contributions to Representative Politics Introduction Muslim Women MPs: A Minority within a “Tribe” of Women Muslim Women Parliamentarians Confronting Adversity within Muslim Communities Unmarried Young Muslim Women in Parliament How Muslim Women MPs Transform Parliament and Schools Dress Politics in Parliament: Inscribing Kenya Muslim Diversity Achieving Success within Their Constituencies Public Health Education: The HIV Pandemic and Community Sensitization Conclusion Chapter 4: Judge Abida Ali-Aroni: First Muslim Woman Justice of the Kenya High Court Introduction Muslim Women’s Rights Activist of Mixed Heritage within Kenyan Ethnic Politics Lessons from the Muslim Women Sisters Network Secular Accommodation of the Kadhi Courts Bargaining with Patriarchy Gender and the Dialectics of Religious and Secular Literacy Building with Progressive Muslim Male Lawyers and Other Women’s Rights Advocates Conclusion Chapter 5: Muslim Women and the Use of New Media: Inscribing Their Voices in Rights Discourse Introduction The Nur Magazine: Islam, HIV/AIDS, Sexuality, and Women’s Rights Ukumbi Wa Mamama: Islamist Radio Talk Show, Muslim Women’s Political Activism Conclusion Conclusion Glossary Notes References Index