Arab feminism

Arab feminism is a diverse ideological and political current within the feminist movement that emerged, developed, and is practiced in the Arab world. Rooted in the late 19th-century Nahda (Arab Renaissance), early Arab feminism was closely linked to the struggle for national liberation from European colonialism and the push for social and legal reforms. It later evolved to include currents such as state feminism, secular feminism, and Islamic feminism.[1]

The movement is not monolithic, encompassing a range of ideologies, strategies, and priorities across different Arab countries and historical periods.[2]

History

Origins in the Nahda (19th century)

The feminist movement in Arab countries began in the 19th century as part of a general awakening (Nahda) and went through stages similar to those that characterized the Western movement. It was initiated in Egypt, Lebanon, and Syria.[1][3]

The rise of Arabic feminist writing and activism coincided with the Nahda, a vast political and cultural movement that dominated the period from 1850 to 1914, promoted by both Muslim and Christian Arabs.[4]

Egyptian thinker Qasim Amin wrote The Liberation of Women in 1899 and has historically been seen as the "father of Arab feminism" because of his claim that women needed education and liberation for Egypt to liberate itself from British colonialism. His book sparked a feminist debate that lasted until the 1952 coup in Egypt. However, his "feminism" has been the subject of scholarly controversy, as he joined the discourse on women's rights relatively late in its development.[1]Lebanese-Egyptian writer Zaynab Fawwaz (ca. 1850–1914) was an early feminist voice who addressed girls' education, women's economic dependency, and gender-prejudiced uses of religious knowledge, framing her arguments within the terms of Islamic shari'ah.[5]

Pan-Arab feminism and the Arab Feminist Union

The Arab Feminist Union (AFU) was established in 1945, bringing together diverse women's organizations to promote both feminism and pan-Arab unity. Among the issues addressed by the AFU were the rights accorded to women under Islam, the use of Arab women as prostitutes by Western militaries, and the gendered nature of the Arabic language.[1][6]

Islamic feminism

Islamic feminism is a form of feminism concerned with the role of women in Islam, aiming for the full equality of all Muslims regardless of gender. Islamic feminists are Muslims who interpret the Quran and Hadith in an egalitarian manner and advocate for women's rights and equality. Some scholars argue that both Islamic and Arab feminisms challenge hegemonic Western feminist narratives by offering culturally embedded alternatives rooted in lived realities and theological introspection.[2] Moroccan sociologist Fatima Mernissi was a prominent Islamic feminist who combined Islam and feminism, grounding her arguments in Islamic teachings.[7]

Major figures

  • Qasim Amin (1863–1908): Egyptian jurist and philosopher, often called the "father of Arab feminism".
  • Huda Sha‘rawi (1879–1947): Egyptian feminist, founder of the Egyptian Feminist Union and the Arab Feminist Union.
  • Nawal al-Saadawi (1931–2021): Egyptian writer and physician, founder of the Arab Women's Solidarity Association, vocal opponent of female genital mutilation.
  • Fatima Mernissi (1940–2015): Moroccan feminist sociologist known for her critique of patriarchal interpretations of Islam.[7]
  • Aisha Taymur (1840–1902): Egyptian traditionalist poet who advocated for women's liberation from a traditionalist perspective.[3]
  • Zaynab Fawwaz (ca. 1850–1914): Lebanese-Egyptian writer who articulated early feminist arguments within an Islamic framework.[5]
  • May Ziadeh (1886–1941): Lebanese-Palestinian modernist writer who advocated for women's liberation from a modernist perspective.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Alcalde, Angela (2021). "Arab Feminism: A Critical Review of its History and Present". Arab Center Washington DC. Retrieved 31 May 2026.
  2. 1 2 Hamed, Safaa (2019). Writing the Feminine: Women in Arab Sources (MA thesis). University of San Francisco. Retrieved 31 May 2026.
  3. 1 2 "Survey of the Stages of the Women's Liberation Movement in the Arab World" (PDF). Al-Raida Journal (41). Beirut University College: 3–9. 1988. Retrieved 31 May 2026.
  4. ↑ "Language of Feminism in Arabic and British Fin-de-Siècle Writing". Journal of Victorian Culture. Oxford University Press. 2021. Retrieved 31 May 2026.
  5. 1 2 Booth, Marilyn (2021). "Zaynab Fawwāz's Feminist Locutions". Journal of Arabic and Islamic Studies. Brill. doi:10.1163/1570064x-12341419. Retrieved 31 May 2026.
  6. ↑ "Arab Feminist Union". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 31 May 2026.
  7. 1 2 "Obituary: Fatima Mernissi: Icon of Arab feminism". Qantara.de. 2015. Retrieved 31 May 2026.
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