The French Council of the Muslim Faith (CFCM) published a “declaration” on the occasion of International Women’s Rights Day, affirming its “total commitment to work towards the emancipation and development of the role of women in French society.”
This six-point text was developed by the CFCM, the official interlocutor of public authorities for the Muslim faith and its 2,500 places of worship (mosques and prayer rooms), representing 4 to 5 million people, practitioners or not.
The CFCM’s declaration and these personalities notably cite a surah from the Quran (“women have rights over men similar to those that men have over them”) and a saying attributed to the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad, according to which “women are equals to men.”
“Unfortunately, in many cases,” the “principles of equality and fairness” inscribed in Islam “are not respected by men who sometimes continue to impose their point of view,” acknowledges the CFCM. It is necessary to “continue educational and pedagogical efforts so that Muslim women are no longer subject to discrimination or subjugation,” it adds.
The declaration asserts that “Muslim women have a primary role in society” and that “they must assume this role without reservation or constraint.”
In the professional sphere, Islam advocates “equal pay for workers regardless of their gender, for the same work, with equal competence,” the text continues.
The signatories conclude by affirming “their total commitment to work towards the emancipation and development of the role of women in French society.”
We interviewed Cyria B-Ness, a community activist, about this “new” conception of the place of Muslim women in society:
In light of some writings on this new version of authorization and autonomy given to women, I would personally say that it’s smoke and mirrors.
The Holy Quran was written by a man and for men. And although some wanted to give a slightly more visible role to their mother or daughter, rarely to their wife, in the eyes of all men, practicing Muslims, women remain inferior to them.
Therefore, if a role is given to her by religious institutions, it will never be equal or on par with that of a male imam. We need to stop focusing so much on this religion that cannot suddenly evolve. Besides, the West is not much better off regarding equality.
To this day, no woman is the CEO of a large multinational or in the CAC 40, so before a woman becomes a full-fledged Imam and guides men… much water will have to flow under the bridge.
I was born Muslim and proudly claim my origins, but it’s enough to highlight the negative. We are women first and foremost, and our religion does not determine our status.
To talk about “Muslim women” as such is already discriminatory.
But will we one day look in our own backyard before thinking we are vested with a mission to liberate Muslim women?
Isn’t there a lot of work to be done in this country on respecting women and their condition?
