I. Introduction

Historian Leila Ahmed, in Women and Gender in Islam, is highly critical of the views of Qasim Amin, in his 1899 book, The Liberation of Women. She calls him "the son of [Lord] Cromer [the British Consul General of Egypt] and colonialism," says that his book is the "rearticulation in native voice of the colonial thesis of the inferiority of the native and Muslim," describes him as being contemptuous of Egyptian women, and more. In short, she believes he is not pro-woman, not feminist, and in fact, a supporter — albeit perhaps not overt – of hated British colonialism in Egypt.

Other scholars and contemporaries of Amin have described him otherwise, crediting his enormously influential work with starting a raging debate on issues such as the education of women, veiling, and women's oppression. Some believe he was supportive of, and sympathetic to, changes in women's status. Some have even called him the "father of Egyptian feminism."

II. Your task

We will hold a debate in class on March 4th. The statement to be debated is:

Qasim Amin's views in The Liberation of Woman are pro-woman and feminist.

Your task is first, to read The Liberation of Woman and then Leila Ahmed's critique (Ch. 8).  Read read these in order, read them very carefully, and ask yourself as you read whether or not you think Ahmed's criticism is justified, and whether or not you can see in the reading of Amin signs of support for women and pro-feminist views. Take notes of specific quotes in Amin that support and negate Ahmed's views.

Take into account: historical context and place. How were ideas about women and feminism different in the late 19th century? Considering that Amin was Egyptian, dealing with Egyptian society, were his views fairly progressive? Or is Ahmed correct in her criticism: that Amin was so enamored of Western civilization that he could not see how colonialist and anti-feminist views were closely related and did not serve Egyptian women?

Note that this is an argument (I believe) that can go either way and can be supported with evidence for either point of view, so you are not set up for failure, no matter which side you debate on!

IV. Requirements/to be handed in: In class you will be divided into two groups to debate these issues, and will have time to organize your team. Before coming to class, e-mail me your preference of which side you wish to represent, yay or nay, by Friday morning, Feb. 29th at 9:00 a.m. I will take this into consideration in drawing up the sides.

V. Evaluation: After the debate I will collect your notes. You will be evaluated on effort, demonstration that you have effectively done the preparation, contribution to the in-class debate, and understanding of the issues.

Sides:

Pro-Amin

Colston
Evwayare
Gaible
Hellman
Hostetler
Reaman
Sexton
Trofi

Pro-Ahmed

Deak
Driscoll
Grimes
Mallett
Morelli
Wiczynski