Muslim Women of Power

Gender, Politics and Culture in Islam

Clinton Bennett

• Publisher: Continuum
• Year: 2010
• ISBN:
  9781441136251
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Social Sciences
• Subtopic: Islamic Studies
• Index: Social Sciences

Five women have served as leaders of Muslim countries, namely Megawati Sukarnoputri (Vice President of Indonesia, 1991-2001 and President 2002-4), Benazir Bhutto (PM of Pakistan, 1988-90 and 1993-6), Sheikh Hasina (PM of Bangladesh, 1996-2001), Khaleda Zia (PM of Bangladesh, 1991-5 and 2001-6) and Tansu Çiller (PM of Turkey, 1993-6). This is an extraordinary record and somewhat of a challenge to the widespread perception that Muslim women are oppressed.
Four of the women belonged to political families by birth or marriage, raising interesting questions about the extent to which this played a role alongside their skills and personal qualities in their rise to power. To what degree did culture rather than Islam aid and abet their roles, or indeed is it sustainable to distinguish Islam from culture.
This study of the role of these five powerful Muslim women uses their life and work to explore relevant issues, such as the role of culture, gender in Islam and the nature of the Islamic state.

Table of contents

• Contents
• Maps, Images and Boxes
• Abbreviations
• Acknowledgements and Preface
• Introduction: Five Women, Four Countries
• 1 Women Leaders: The Debate
• 2 Benazir Bhutto and Pakistan
• 3 Khaleda Zia and Bangladesh
• 4 Tansu Çiller and Turkey
• 5 Sheikh Hasina and Bangladesh
• 6 Megawati Sukarnoputri and Indonesia
• Conclusion: Gender, Politics and Culture in Islam
• References
• Index