Islam opposes the abuse of women

One in three women worldwide experience physical, emotional or sexual violence in their lifetime. That translates to more than a billion people who are affected by genderbased violence.

It is a huge misconception that Islam justifies the oppression of women. Perpetuating these beliefs only enables extremists to dictate the narrative of this religion.

Honour killings, domestic violence, forced marriage, and economic exclusion are all strongly condemned in the Holy Qur’an and should be vocalised as such. In fact, Islam granted women fundamental rights 14 centuries ago.

These rights included establishing equal status with men, the right to attain education, the right to inherit and own property, the right to consent in marriage, and the right to divorce. Mistreating women violates the teachings of the Holy Qur’an but, unfortunately, extremist narratives have been used as a means to perpetrate vicious acts against women. Islam’s position on domestic violence is drawn from the Qur’an and the Qur’an clearly shows the relationship between spouses.

It states that the relationship is based on tranquility, unconditional love, tenderness, protection, encouragement, peace, kindness, comfort, justice and mercy.

Any violence and coercion directed to women and used to control or subjugate them is considered to be oppression and is unacceptable in Islam. Nasrine Akoob North Beach, Durban