Here is a woman who is being beaten in public. The woman’s alleged crime is fornication. The reason is that the woman violated Islamic law by getting into the car of a man other than her husband. The back of a woman in her 40s who was flogged was covered in blood.
In Islamic society, there are too many harsh social norms regulating women.
In Libya, a woman appears who breaks the cliché of women’s discrimination.
This is Alaa Murabit.
Age 15, Realizing the Reality of Sexism
Alaa Murabit is a Muslim but spent her childhood in Canada.
Her story begins at the age of 15 when she immigrates from Canada to Libya.
Alaa Murabit went on to medical school in Libya. Although she excelled, but the choice prospects were reserved for the male students.
Sexual violence
Job discrimination
Restricted freedom of movement
‘Gender’ is the criterion for violence and discrimination
Although sexist violence was rampant throughout the country, women in Libya accepted it as a culture and tradition.
Alaa Murabit believed they have the same rights as Canadian women.
‘The Voice of Libyan Women (VLW)’
Upon graduation, she founded a civic group for women’s rights.
Bringing out the pain of Libyan women
“Have you ever felt discriminated against as a Libyan woman?”
Alaa Murabit and VLW invited local women to their homes and cautiously asked them. At first, the women, who were hesitant, gradually told the story of their lives, mentioning sexual violence, abuse, neglect, and criticism.
Ala Murabit invited thousands of women to gather pain and sent data to politicians and journalists.
‘Discrimination against women’ using Islamic scriptures
“It is strictly according to Islamic law.”
Libyan men have justified master-servant relationships with women based on passages in Islamic scriptures that portray women as passive.
“What if the men’s hallowed scriptures took our side?”
Allah Murabit commissioned university professors to conduct a research project on “Gender Equality in the Islamic Scriptures”.
The results of the study showed that the scriptures are oriented toward a gender-equal Islamic society.
“Allah (God) created a man and a woman from one body, and the reward to enjoy in Heaven through faith is the same.”
– Passage from Sharia Chapter 4 –
Another Finding for ‘Gender Equality’ Derived from the Same Scriptures
Allah Murabit launched her campaign using a newly discovered scripture passage.
‘The Noor Campaign’ [Noor: ‘When the awareness of an individual rises from ignorance to wisdom’] Campaign to defend equal rights of women, citing gender equality phrases in Islamic scriptures
The will of Alaa Murabit has been conveyed to media, educational institutions and individuals. Her campaign is being promoted through various media such as SNS, advertisements, TV shows, and print media. Human rights civic groups visit middle and high schools citing the research results and educating them. The university held its first forum on the topic of ‘Equal Human Rights of Women.’
And finally, people won over by Noor stepped up one by one:
CEOs of 42 companies
Women’s Ministry
numerous civil society organizations
Dar Il Ifta, Libya’s highest religious institution
People are starting to dream of a gender-equal society.
Toward Greater Equality
The youngest advisory member of the United Nations Security Council
UN High Commissioner for Health, Employment and Economic Growth
Advisor to the UN Women’s Global Civil Society Advisory Group
Gates Foundation Health Advisor
United Nations SDG Global Advocate
Director of Malala Fund
The reason Alaa Murabit has taken on various international responsibilities is to represent more of the underprivileged who suffer from inequality.
“The reason I support women is not to increase the authority of women around the world. It is to promote a positive society that will change through women’s participation.”
TED Talks
Learn more about Alaa Murabit : https://alaamurabit.com/
