“I AM MORE THAN MY SCARF” DISPELS MYTHS ABOUT MUSLIM WOMEN

by Rachel Madearis

Over the busy goings on during lunch hour at MCC-Penn Valley, two staff members—Victorie Hollwel, academic advisor at Penn Valley, and Kim Malzone, Project Coordinator for the Francis Institute—presented a lecture on Muslim women, “I am More Than my Scarf,” an emotional review of women’s issues in Islam.

The lecture was given in celebration of Women’s History Month.

“We were asked to do it through Campus Life and Leadership, but it’s something we’d like to do,” said Hollwel. “It allows for people to get to know more of that person [wearing the scarf].”

As an introduction, both Hollwel and Malzone told of their conversions to Islam, as neither was born into the religion, but discovered Islam later in their adult life.

“Islam just kind of found me,” said Hollwel, who said that her progression to Islam was “natural.”

Malzone recalled that she was converted to Islam the same day that she enquired about faith. Several Islamic men met with her and prayed her into conversion.

According to Hollwel, the presentation served a second purpose, as an effort to help Muslim students at Penn Valley feel comfortable about their presence on campus.

“We have a large [Muslim] student population,” she said.

While Hollwel updated the audience on the biographies of several important women in Islam, Malzone focused on the ideas society holds about Muslim women, responding to ideas that Muslim women are subjugated and oppressed in Islamic society. According to the Koran, she said, “paradise is under the feet of the wife.”

Both agreed that while some Islamic cultures do have strict policies about women–wearing the scarf for example–most Muslim women do pursue careers outside of the home. They name the many activists who have worked to support and represent Islam. Not all women stay at home with their children, said Malzone, saying that Muhammad protested for women’s rights and the rights of educated women, calling the educated woman “the one who is liberated.”

FAST FACTS: Four Important Women in Islam

• Aminah Assilmi: Former southern baptist preacher converted to Islam.
• Aisha: Last wife of prophet Mohammad.
• Khadija: Wealthy wife of prophet Mohammad.
• Ingrid Mattson: Vice President of Islamic Society of America.