By A'eysha Kassiem
Women should stop the violence and break the silence.
That was the message from deputy mayor Gawa Samuels at the opening on Wednesday of the national conference of the World Islamic Call Society (WICS) and the Muslim Women's Federation of Southern Africa at the Protea Hotel in Sea Point.
The two-day conference is focused on women in contemporary Muslim societies, Islam and gender relations, as well as Muslim personal law on the recognition of Muslim marriages.
| 'The woman is the mother of societies' |
The theme is "Islam and women: past, present and future" and a report is to be compiled after the conference.
WICS is based in Libya and funds Islamic programmes throughout the world.
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"This conference is dealing with key issues," said Samuels.
"Women play a different role today where they have become leaders at all levels of society.
"We want to encourage all women to stop the violence and break the silence around abuse.
"In Islam, Muslim women are not inferior to men. They should rise up and take their place in society."
Speaking through an interpreter, a WICS representative, Sheikh Nuri El Izzu, said that according to Islam, societies were built through the roles played by women.
"No place or society is strong without a woman," he said.
"The woman is the mother of societies.
"Muslim mothers in South Africa are respected and have their rights guaranteed.
"In South Africa, Muslim brothers and sisters live in a multicultural society where different views are expressed. Women are given good chances and opportunities in South Africa."
Islam was a religion of peace, love, co-operation and dialogue, El Izzu said.
Those who presented it as a religion of conflict were not representing Islam.
- This article was originally published on page 6 of Cape Times on December 29, 2005
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