FINLAND & PALESTINE Proceedings of a Joint Workshop

Women~ Role in BuIlding i1 Society
-------~. -.
Some Muslim feminists have suggested modifications to sharfa
law. They believe in the possibility of gender equality and minority
rights within an Islamic reformist framework, and propose
a compromise solution. Other Islamic women reject any
amendments, and emphasize that Islam must be the determining
source of legislation.
The secularists, however, reject the consolidation of the
Shar;ca law, as it gives patriarchal authority more power over
the private sphere of Palestinian civil society. Instead, they argue
for a platform of secular and legal rights for women to be
decided in the PlC.
In the first national elections, the argument according to Professor
Allabadi was between secular feminists and men who
wanted to protect their domination of political and social
power. Ten years later, in the second national elections in
2006, the debate turned to one between secular women and
Islamist women. Dr. Allabadi argues that the involvement of
Islamist women in politics is not aimed at enhancing women's
political and social power, but an attempt to legitimize the
state's gender policy. In other words, "Islamic feminism works
with the political system of Hamas, which restricts personal
freedom. Islamic feminism legitimizes this system, and ignores
the repressive contexts of the social and political climate in
Palestine.,,14
Many secular feminists were worried after the 2006 elections,
because they did not want to be subjected to religious restrictions.
Many of those committed to a democratic system noted
that they have to accept the results of the elections, although
they do not want religion to dominate their lives. Many women
who support secular, radical groups respect Hamas women
14 Allabadi 2008: 193.
114