Sharia and Women’s rights

Isobel Coleman argues in an article in Foreign Affairs in January that Although questions of implementation remain, the new Iraqi constitution makes Islam the law of the land. This need not mean trouble for Iraqi women, however. Sharia is open to a wide range of interpretations, some quite egalitarian. If Washington still hopes for a liberal order in Iraq, it should start working with progressive Muslim scholars to advance women's rights through religious channels. She concludes that the resurgence of Islamic law in Iraq need not be a disaster for women. Although it may well mean a short-term setback in certain rights enjoyed under Saddam, in the long run, Iraqis may manage to build a more equitable society that accommodates both Islamic principles and a modern role for women. This outcome is far from guaranteed, but it is also not too much to hope for. (David Spector)