Muslim women and participation in politics

Muslim women have always been at the forefront of assisting the cause of Islam and Muslims, apart from their natural roles of being the companions of their husbands. One of such efforts was the 8th biennial national conference and general meeting of the Criterion (an association of Muslim women in business and the professions) themed […]

Muslim women have always been at the forefront of assisting the cause of Islam and Muslims, apart from their natural roles of being the companions of their husbands.
One of such efforts was the 8th biennial national conference and general meeting of the Criterion (an association of Muslim women in business and the professions) themed “Challenges of Globalization on Muslims” held at the National Mosque, Abuja.
The three-day event had ‘Participation in Politics- Dilemma of a Muslim Woman, and ICT: Virtues and Vices’ which was also earmarked for children as sub-theme.
The communiqué of the conference, jointly signed by the national amirah (president) of the association Dr. Saudat Salah Abdulbaqi and the PRO, Hajia Shakirat Abdulmajeed, noted that despite the need for their involvement, eminent and qualified Muslim women are not in governance and politics.
Also, while Islamic globalization focuses on equity, justice and fairness, western globalization focuses on materialism, market capitalism and exploitation; and the outcome of this justice is the current crisis of terrorism.
It equally observed that many Muslim couples are not living harmoniously with one another due to mismanaged domestic issues and alsothat the good, the bad and the ugly occurrences on account of informed, and uninformed consumption of ICT cannot be overemphasized and therefore suggested caution as the watchword for Muslims.
The deliberation however resolved that since women play more difficult politics at home through lobbying, negotiating and advocating to nurture their husbands and children, they need to bring this to bear in the mainstream politics of our nation.
“Nigerian women should work on how to make the political space safer and ensure that their political participation is more effective by being card-carrying members of political parties with the aim of adding value to life. The participation of women in politics should not jeopardize their primary roles as home makers,” it said.
On ICT, the meeting posited that application and promotion of technology must be institutionalized in all facets of the economy and that since it has limitless opportunities to explore, it should also be done with lots of caution and parents should monitor their children usage and the time they (children) spend on the social media and internet.
On the challenges of globalization on Muslims, it was resolved that since globalization has expanded women’s access to employment, it however failed to reduce gender inequality, hence the Criterion and similar organizations need to create more awareness and participate in advocacy to redress the anomaly.
The syndicate session resolved that as women entrepreneurs, Muslims must know the product; acquire more skills on the product and be the master of the 3Cs (consistency, commitment and constancy).
It also said that though conflict could arise in family and society, it could be minimized through effective communication, education, and empowerment and most importantly through prayers.
Speaking in one of the sessions a former lecturer at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria and political scientist, Dr. Amina Salihu, said that there is no excuse for Muslims women not to be involved in the mainstream politics of the nation, even when they play more difficult politics at home.
“The question therefore is not whether women should participate in politics or not but rather how can we make the space more safe and affirming of the great resource women bring to the field of politics. The absence of peace is anarchy, destruction and death. We have learnt that where women are involved in planning and design of interventions of projects, they (projects) are more likely to succeed and be sustainable. Learning this lesson is what has now made Peace building circles involve women at various stages of the peace process,” Salihu speaking on “Participation in politics the dilemma of a Muslim woman” said.
The National Amirah of the organisation Dr. Saudat Salah Abdulbaqi said since the establishment of the organization in 1986, the mindset of Muslim women has made it difficult for them to change their plight and contribute positively to the society, saying many of the so call barriers inhibiting women development were due to ignorance.
She said that the choice of the theme was due to the linkage of the world via ICT and its attending spiral effect on all citizens of the world.
She also unveiled the maiden magazine of the organisation, ‘The Cornerstone’ .
On her part Senator Khairat Gwadabe said Islam did not forbid women from participating in nation building and development of the society.
The conference witnessed a post-humous honour for late Hajiya Bilkisu Yusuf who died in the September 24 Hajj stampede and two others, Alhaja Lateefah Okunnu and Alhaja Raliat Abdlrasaz, for their selflessness service to the propagation of Islam, women and children.
Speaking on the theme, the proprietress of Nurul Bayan Academy, Abuja Hajiya Maryam Tahan said while Globalization means different things to different people. “We can therefore infer that globalization/ westernization is a direct result of specifically conceived, planned and targeted neo- liberal policies and structural measures that were designed to bring all aspects of social, economic and political life under the tag of market capitalism,” she said.
Ustaz Abdulfattah Adeyemi who spoke on Islamic Perspective of Conflict Resolution, urged Muslim couples to relate with each other as specified in the Shari’a so as to enjoy the blessings of marriage and contribute positively to the society. 
Other highlights of the conference were visitation to Internally Displaced Camps (IDPs) in Durumi and Nurul Bayan Orphanage.