Jordan Times
Thursday, October 29, 1998
Princess Sarvath highlights Islam's role in women's emancipation
LONDON (Petra) — Her Royal Highness Princess Sarvath has stressed that Islam must be recognised as a potent force for the emancipation of women, according them unprecedented rights in its earliest days in the legal, social, economic, political and civil spheres.
Islam “gave women the right to paid work, to own, inherit and bequeath property, and to learning, to perform the pilgrimage, and, if necessary, to take part in jihad to defend one's religion,” said Princess Sarvath in her 1998 Lord Caradon Lecture on women and minorities in Islam.
“In short, all spheres of temporal life are equally open to all Muslims. Nothing in the Holy Koran is exclusive to men,” said Princess Sarvath.
Princess Sarvath noted that Islam maintains a fundamental message of equality between men and women and stresses that neither man nor woman is secondary to the other but rather that they are partners, without any priority or superiority.
On the subject of how Islam regards members of other faiths, Princess Sarvath explained that Islam promotes peaceful coexistence.
The Holy Koran describes the followers of Islam, Christianity and Judaism as “people of the book,” all sharing the revelation of one God and all worthy of respect, Princess Sarvath said.
Princess Sarvath emphasised that there should be no doubt that Islam is a religion with foundations that are firmly based on the recognition of the vital importance of human equality, tolerance, and quality of life.
Princess Sarvath noted the host of misconceptions about Islam and its teachings in many parts of the world, calling for developing a true knowledge of what the religion stands for and its tolerant and peaceful nature.
In her lecture, the Princess pointed to “the justifiable pride” Jordanians have in achievements that have been wrought against great odds in many spheres of life.
Princess Sarvath said Jordanian laws are conducive to women attaining a status that is in keeping with the essence of the religion and the aspirations of the leadership of the country. Women, Princess Sarvath pointed out, stand for election, serve in Parliament, hold responsible government positions and are actively involved in every sphere of life.
Princess Sarvath also said all Jordanians enjoy the same rights and obligations and have complete freedom to exercise their religious duties.
“An enlightened Muslim society in which the ideal and the reality merge to create a nation in which all people, men and women, Muslims and non-Muslims, are free to live in the atmosphere of freedom, tolerance and mutual respect that our Prophet preached and advocated all those centuries ago, is a worthy goal for all true Muslims to aspire towards,” said Princess Sarvath.