[IslamCity] proceedings of the seminar Held on March 8, 2006 on the occasion of the International Women's day, at VIP loung e of the National Press club, Dhaka , Bangladesh.

[S A Hannan]

Dear members of the list,  Assalamu Alaikum.I am forwarding to you proceedings  of the seminar Held on March 8, 2006 on the occasion of the International Women’s day, at VIP lounge of the National Press club, Dhaka , Bangladesh. The seminar was organized by the Assembly for Protection of Hijab, Bangladesh.      Shah Abdul Hannan   Summary of the Seminar Held on March 8, 2006   “Women Empowerment: Islam and Contemporary Thoughts” was the title of the seminar held on  8th March 2006, the International Women’s day, at VIP lounge of the National Press club, Dhaka Bangladesh. The seminar was organized by the Assembly for Protection of Hijab, Bangladesh. The invited guests and speakers discussed the topic from different perspectives, leaving the audience appreciative to the alternative thoughts on Women empowerment.   In the keynote paper Kaniz Fatema of Darul Ihsan University defined women empowerment as to have right and respect for freedom of opinion, to be economically self-dependant, to have access and support towards career development and to have mutual respect from the male counterpart in family and in social life. The paper clarified Islamic point of view for each of these issues of women empowerment and showed that Islam is never a barrier rather a facilitator to such endeavors.   Dr. Syeda Sultana Razia, Assistant Professor of BUET explained the objectives of Assembly for Protection of Hijab.  Dr. Razia also discussed why hijab has become a human right issue and critical to Muslim identity. She showed how hijab can facilitate women empowerment in a Muslim majority country like Bangladesh. She also summarized the recent news of hijab ban in Muslim and non-Muslim countries all over the world.   Rezwana Kursia of International Islamic University of Chittagong analyzed the issues related to the rights of Muslim women to receive maintenance in depth. She identified that with the advancement of technology the nature of job has been changed. For example, in intricate research work, in IT field etc, the job is less labour intensive and more favourable for women than ever before.  She maintained that the negative attitude towards working women does not have base in Islam.   Elahi Newaz Khan, President, Dhaka Journalist’s association emphasized on the difference between the demand of secular women activists and the concept of  women’s rights in Islam. He added that without alleviating poverty and illiteracy from the society the discrimination against women cannot be stopped fully.   Professor Chemon Ara, Language activist and former Principal of Eden College, said that the breaking down of family and social value systems as well as un-Islamic attitudes of women in social and family life are the main reasons for women’s discrimination in Muslim society.   Dr. Razia Akhter Banu, Professor , Dhaka University, discussed the women’s inheritance issue in Islam. She stated that women  own one percent of the total wealth of the World. In Islam women have God given rights of inheritance, Mahr, maintenance; therefore, she believes, that at least in Muslim countries women should possess a substantial amount of wealth if Islamic law were in practice. Unfortunately this was not the fact.   Shah Abdul Hannan,  Former secretary of Gov’t of Bangladesh criticized the West since  “ West is maintianing a double standard about hijab”. He pointed out that they believe in freedom of _expression_ to such an extent that they can mock God or Prophets at he same time they deny Muslim women’s right to practice hijab. He added that the modern Muslim societies now  agree that it is high time women get their God given rights. However, a lot more work and change of attitude towards women’s right are still needed to achieve that goal.   Chief guest of the Seminar, Motiur rahman Nizami, Minister  of Industries, Gov’t of Bangladesh, called upon the women rights activists of our country to reevaluate their attitude, concept and goal. He said that the Western World, although developed, has failed to assure security to their women. Women trafficking, prostitution and rape are part of their day-to day life. He emphasized that ultimately Islamic state rule will be needed to establish all rights granted by Allah.   The seminar was chaired by Justice Abdur Rauf, former chief election commissioner, Gov’t of Bangldesh. He is also the president of Assembly for protection of Hijab, Bangladesh.  He emphasized the need for rapid action to grant full rights to all sections of the people.   Finally, M A. Hannan, General Secretary of Assembly for protection of Hijab, Bangladesh wrapped up the program with the vote of thanks to the guests, audience and the organizers.   Reporting by Syeda Sultana Razia   *************************************************************************** {Invite (mankind, O Muhammad ) to the Way of your Lord (i.e. Islam) with wisdom (i.e. with the Divine Inspiration and the Qur'an) and fair preaching, and argue with them in a way that is better. Truly, your Lord knows best who has gone astray from His Path, and He is the Best Aware of those who are guided.} (Holy Quran-16:125) {And who is better in speech than he who [says: "My Lord is Allah (believes in His Oneness)," and then stands straight (acts upon His Order), and] invites (men) to Allah's (Islamic Monotheism), and does righteous deeds, and says: "I am one of the Muslims."} (Holy Quran-41:33) The prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "By Allah, if Allah guides one person by you, it is better for you than the best types of camels." [al-Bukhaaree, Muslim] The prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)  also said, "Whoever calls to guidance will have a reward similar to the reward of the one who follows him, without the reward of either of them being lessened at all." 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