Webinar (3): Women in Spaces of Conservative Islam

Webradio is broadcasting from central Nicosia, the capital of Cyprus at www.lemoniradio.com

Our fourth weekly installment of the “Meeting Points” radio show co-hosted by the International United Nations Watch and Lemoni Radio was about women in conservative Islamic spaces, movements such as Salafism, Wahabism, and the different branches and traditions of Islam.  

The interviews featured: the journalist and researcher Sophia Akram, who works on identity, displacement, and human rights issues and covers Europe, Asia and the Middle East;  Meric Caglar, a PhD candidate in Gender Studies at Central European University; and, Amani Mohammed El Obeid, a doctoral associate researcher at CEDEJ,  whose PhD is in Politics (Islamic Thought /Sufi Studies) During the show, we discussed the various branches of Islam, how and where they differ from one another, especially the more conservative branches.

The discussions focused on the political and social dynamics within the movements. In the case of Sudan, we contrasted the different approaches and beliefs between local Sufi traditions and the conservative Islamic movements of Salafism – Wahabism, while also examining the extent of their respective influences. In the case of the UK, the focus was on the social circumstances and factors behind the growth of the conservative movement.

The associated political dynamics and influences were also discussed in terms of how these movements and their adherents are perceived and portrayed in their local political and social spheres. Participants were agreed that further research is required in order to gain a better understanding of the role and circumstances of women in conservative Islamic spaces.