A seminar titled on “The Role of Women in Islam” was held at the Chinese Teachers’ Memorial Auditorium, Karachi University, under the auspices of the Faculty of Islamic Studies.
The seminar, organized to mark the birth anniversary of Hazrat Fatimah Zahra (RA), featured a keynote address by Dr. Syed Afzal Abbas Mehdi Al-Shami from Iraq, who highlighted the unique position Islam offers women compared to the West. Dr. Al-Shami pointed out that despite the West’s self-proclaimed advocacy for human rights, it has failed to grant women the status and rights afforded to them by Islam.
He emphasized that Islam has not only assigned a significant role to women but also placed the responsibility of family support on men, in contrast to the Western model where women are expected to provide for themselves. He further noted that Islam views women with honor and respect from birth to death, while in the West, elderly women are often abandoned in their final years.
Dr. Al-Shami lauded the efforts of the Dean of the Faculty of Islamic Studies and their team for organizing the seminar on such an important topic. Dr. Umair Mahmood Siddiqui, former member of the Islamic Ideological Council and Assistant Professor at the Department of Islamic Learning, Karachi University, emphasized the importance of Hazrat Fatimah Zahra (RA) as a reference point for understanding the true position of women in Islam.
He noted that the qualities of the women of Jannah, as described in Islamic texts, are embodied in Hazrat Fatimah Zahra (RA), highlighting her exemplary role as a model for Muslim women. Professor Dr. Shaista Tabassum, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Karachi University, added that while Islam has granted women all necessary rights, the Western perspective of women’s rights is different from the Islamic one. She emphasized the honor of women in Islam, mentioning that Hazrat Khadijah (RA) was the first woman to embrace Islam, showcasing the importance of women in the Islamic faith. Syed Sarwat Zahra Zaidi, a PhD scholar from the Faculty of Islamic Studies, shared that the life and character of Hazrat
Fatimah Zahra (RA) serve as a beacon of guidance for women, demonstrating excellence in both family life and social affairs. Professor Dr. Zahid Ali Zahedi, Dean of the Faculty of Islamic Studies, delivered the opening speech, outlining the seminar’s objectives. The event concluded with a vote of thanks to the guests and speakers, followed by a prayer led by Sheikh Salah Alwan Karbalai.
