Some people, they use scriptural evidences to justify the oppression of women,
and they do it – some do it deliberately, some do it ignorantly.
Imam Onike Abdul-Azeez  is chief missioner for NASFAT,
an organization whose mission is to "develop an enlightened Muslim society nurtured by a true
understanding of Islam for the spiritual
upliftment and welfare of mankind."
The Carter Center brought Abdul-Azeez to the 62nd session of the United Nations
Commission on the Status of Women to
share his experience with others working to advance
human rights. As an Imam, Abdul-Azeez teaches his followers that false
interpretations of religious texts can
be used to justify oppression, which is
un-Islamic. He references Islamic
theologian Ibn Qayyim al Jawziyyah who
said, "Whatever moves from good to evil,
whatever moves from justice to injustice
whatever moves from good to bad is not
part of Islam." This applies, says the Imam,
even when efforts are made to look for
justification from the Scripture.
Abdul-Azeez says when Scripture is used to justify such moves, it means that one has
not really understood the objective of
Islam. The Imam works hard to clear up
misconceptions, including those
surrounding a woman's role in society.
Most of the conceptions have to do with
women should not speak in public. We were able
to educate them that women can talk in public. They spoke in
public during the time of the Prophet
and it's important to speak in public and
we give them scriptural evidences. We
let them know that Islam doesn't look at
gender when it's talking about position.
What it looks at is your IQ, your
capability, your ability to lead. In
addition to encouraging women's
leadership, Abdul-Azeez has had success in encouraging communities to abandon
harmful practice like female genital
cutting, or FGC.
We were able to convince the participants that FGC is not religious.
Through their work, Abdul-Azeez and NASFAT are challenging discriminatory practices
and clearing up misconceptions regarding the rights of women and girls in Nigeria.
The Carter Center contributes to their efforts by sponsoring trainings of religious and traditional leaders
on human rights at the Tostan training
center in Senegal.
I will never forget the Carter Center, you never forget Tostan. It has opened our eyes,
it has widened our horizons, it has
increased our knowledge and has let us
realize that Islam and human rights,    
 they walk hand in hand.
