Muslim women

By Ibrahim Suleiman Ibrahim 

It is part of my dreams to one day establish a female-only sports & gymnastics centre that would be managed and run by females, where taking pictures and videos during training sessions would be strictly prohibited.

This is to disprove the ill-conceived notion promoted by mischief makers that northern Nigerian women, particularly the Muslim ones, are deprived of the freedom to engage in sports and fitness activities. 

I’m honestly sick and tired of all the backlash Islam and Muslims are receiving, portraying us as people who do not give women freedom, as though the so-called freedom some other women are enjoying has earned them the needed value and respect from society. 

Unfortunately, these critics don’t consider the position of Islam about free-mixing between opposite sexes, and also the kind of outfit that is morally due for a woman to be seen in by men who are not her ‘Mahrams'(Muslims will understand this).  

It is worthy of note that what makes us religious people is the fact that we are neither freethinkers nor atheists. We have codes of conduct and laws enshrined in our religious scriptures, which we are obligated to abide by.

I don’t like how even some Muslims consider it absurd and barbaric that Muslim ladies are discouraged from participating in some of these secular-oriented sporting activities where women are mandated to appear in skimpy dresses, and intermingle with men indiscriminately. 

At the slightest provocation, they make references to Arabian countries where secularism has almost eaten up the religious aura there.

I understand that situations might sometimes warrant us to compromise and adopt some secular practices (Darooraat), but giving full acceptance to those practices, despite their contradiction with our religious laws, while considering our religious laws as barbaric and extreme, is quite unbecoming of a Muslim. 

Meanwhile, I implore religious organisations to begin investing in some of these necessary but non-Shariah-compliant things, such that we can have a halal version, and save ourselves this noise about us not depriving women of their rights. 

It’s about time we began to think outside the box and come up with solutions to some of these problems. 

Sports and gymnastics are necessary, and establishing a shari’ah-compliant atmosphere isn’t a bad thing. 

Ibrahim Suleiman Ibrahim wrote via suleimibrahim00@gmail.com.

By: Ibrahim Suleiman Ibrahim

In today’s consistently evolving digital world, the pursuit of digital/ICT skills has become increasingly important for individuals and communities alike. This is particularly relevant for Muslim women, who often face unique challenges in balancing their religious and family values with their career choices, hence, making them to be left behind in the digital landscape.

In this article, we will explore the importance of creating awareness among Muslim communities about the need for Muslim women, especially the married ones, to pursue digital/ICT skills.

One of the primary concerns of Muslim women is the compatibility of their careers with their religious values and family life. Most jobs in our contemporary secular societies often raise ‘Sharee’ah’ concerns—which mostly revolve around free mixing and intimacy with ‘non-mahrams’, prolonged unavailability in their matrimonial homes that often impede performance of domestic responsibilities, compromising the Islamically mandated mode of dressing for Muslim women, and so on, making it challenging for some educated Muslim women to identify fulfilling careers that align with their religious values and beliefs.

God so kind, the recent advancements in the ICT sector has now alternatively offered a wealth of opportunities for Muslim women to pursue careers that are both fulfilling and compatible with their ‘Deen’ and family life, but unfortunately, most Muslim women lack sufficient awareness of those opportunities.

It is quite essential for Islamic scholars and Muslim elites to be aware of the recent advancements in the ICT sector and to consider enlightening their communities about the potential benefits of digital/ICT skills for Muslim women. By promoting awareness and understanding, these leaders can help Muslim women make informed decisions about their careers and contribute to the overall empowerment of the community, without compromising their religious values and beliefs.

Importantly, pursuing digital/ICT skills can also lead to remote job opportunities that offer flexibility and work-life balance. These jobs allow women to work from their homes, enabling them to demonstrate their supportive roles in their marriages, while still advancing their careers. Some of the skills that can lead to remote job opportunities include web development, copywriting, social media management, digital marketing, graphic designs, virtual administration, data analytics and so on.

Furthermore, encouraging Muslim women to pursue digital/ICT skills can lead to greater empowerment and intellectual development. By acquiring these skills, Muslim women can supportively contribute to their families’ finances and also become more intellectually sound, which is in line with the principles of Islam that promote the pursuit of knowledge.

In conclusion, we are in an interconnected world where digital skills are increasingly relevant across all sectors. Muslim women lawfully deserve to be equiped with these skills so they can also participate more actively in the global economy and contribute to the advancement of their communities, within the limits of Sharee’ah.

There may be misconceptions within Muslim communities about the compatibility of digital/ICT careers with Islamic principles. However, creating awareness can help address these misconceptions and demonstrate how these skills can be utilized in ways that are consistent with religious values.

It’s therefore crucial for community leaders, including Islamic scholars and Muslim elites, to actively promote the value of digital/ICT skills for Muslim women. Their support and endorsement can greatly influence the attitudes and decisions of community members.

Ibrahim Suleiman Ibrahim is a Public Affairs Analyst. He can be reached via: suleimibrahim00@gmail.com