Voula

Voula is the author of the Young People’s Guide to Understanding Religion and a member of the Atheist Foundation of Australia. In the following viewpoint she argues that Islam denigrates and oppresses women. She dismisses arguments that tradition and tribal customs are to blame for the low status of women in Muslim countries, arguing that Islamic teachings pronounce women to be inferior and subordinate to men. She also claims that reforms to give women greater rights in Muslim countries are consistently opposed by Islamic religious leaders.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. Why are women more liberated in Turkey than in other Muslim countries, according to the author?
2. What examples from the Qur’an (Koran), Islam’s Holy Book, does the author quote to support her arguments?
3. What connections does...