When All Else Fails, Bring in the Women

This aricle in Al Sharq al Awsat (in Arabic) discusses the phenomenon of the woman Muslim "Da3eya" or preacher in Saudi Arabia. Such women have been part of the Egyptian cultural landscape for a while now, with some of them hosting "salons" in their homes for the middle and upper classes. It's interesting how to justify their public involvement in such religious matters, the women mention the need to defend Saudi society and its women against westernization and those liberal and secular forces who want women to leave the house (the horror!!!). They are arguing that they, the women, can do a better job countering these destructive foces.

I'm sure some academic out there will write a book about how these women are being "empowered" and are excercising "agency" and that should be really good for the feminist cause. Ya. It's "empowerment to disempower" kind of agency. I can live without it.