Divinity and women empowerment

*Dr Rebecca Masterton (academic, author) 

**Sakina Datoo (Journalist, Television Producer and Broadcaster) 

***Tara O’Grady (human rights defender)

Women, their status and role in society is a much-debated topic past and present. It often leads to ideological and conceptual controversies. This makes the exploitation of this issue a deeply-entrenched phenomenon. Yet the religious discourse does not seek to exploit it; the divine revelations have sought to grant women respectable status as the equals of men in creation, duties and aspirations. The experience of women within the context of the Karbala events (in October 680 AD) continue to provide glimpses into how women can lead their communities in difficult times. It is worth noting that the first martyr in Islam was a woman who was tortured to death by the men of Quraish tribe. The question is: Can the discourse on women ever become objective, non-partisan, and rational, examining  cultural, religious and societal factors that influence the discourse on women’s place in modern societies. 

6.30 pm Tuesday 15^th August 2023     

Venue: Abrar House, 45 Crawford Place, W1H 4LP     

The meeting will be held in person, followed by dinner     

You can also participate on Zoom using this link      

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85680888416?pwd=THBPWHhCRkxEeWtMQWlJVHBycExOUT09

Meeting ID: 856 8088 8416 Password: 000000     

Or on Youtube on this link:       

https://www.youtube.com/user/Abrarhousevideo

Admission is Free. Please register for catering purposes – email: d05sa@yahoo.co.uk     

or text 07795 660 438     

*Dr Rebecca Masterton is a lecturer in Islamic Studies and is currently Director of Online Shi‘a Studies, having taught at Birkbeck College and the Islamic College. She converted to Islam in 1999 and obtained her doctorate in francophone and Islamic literature of West Africa from the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, in 2006. Her articles are available on Academia.edu and she has published two books: Shi’i spirituality for the 21^st century and: Passing Through the Dream.  She has been an anchor presenter for various media including Sahar TV, Hadi TV, Press TV and Ahlulbayt TV. 

**Sakina Datoo is an experienced journalist in both print and broadcast media. She has led small and large teams of media personnel and managed various different media outlets in Tanzania and the UK. Sakina is an award-winning writer, celebrated newspaper editor with many years of TV production experience and expertise. She holds BA Journalism from Edinburgh Napier University. She took further studies at the University of Westminster and University of Missouri-Columbia. Sakin speaks five languages and is described as “an excellent interviewer”. 

*Tara O’Grady is the president of No Peace Without Justice, founder and Executive Director of “Human Rights Sentinels” and member of the “National Womens Council of Ireland”. She is a dedicated human rights activist, brave and outspoken in defending the oppressed. She expresses critical views on sensitive matters, starting with human rights in general and reaching the issues relating to women rights. She travelled to Karbala, Iraq to witness the human waves who mark the Arbaeen of Imam Hussain and walk for miles to emulate the march of women who were present with Hussain before he was martyred.