Women's struggle be recognized by nation

ACCRA, AUG. 14, GNA - The Federation of Muslim Women's Association in Ghana (FOMWAG) in collaboration with Iranian Cultural Consulate on Saturday, organized a day's seminar at the Ghana Muslim Mission National Headquarters at Korle-Gonno in Accra. The main topic of the seminar which brought together a large number of Muslim women and girls within the Greater-Accra Region was: "Achievements and Challenges of Muslim Women in Ghana". Speaking on the topic; "Achievements and Challenges of Muslim Women in Ghana," Madam Ayisha Abdul-Kadri, In-charge of the women's wing of FOMWAG in Madina/Agbogba said a nation or a society that did not recognize the struggle and efforts of women who demonstrate actions to provide social changes through religious teachings could only help perpetuate oppression and exploitation in the name of civilization. Madam Kadri reiterated that, since the inception of Islam, the dress code for women, especially veiling, gives the Muslim woman an identity wherever she may be and this restored her dignity and respect as a woman.

She noted that, advertising of western clothing which is not in consonant with the Islamic dress code is strongly being patronized by many Muslim youth who expose their nudity rather than protecting their dignity.

She expressed regret that the youth patronized pornographic films, profane music and this constituted a source of worry to Muslim parents.

She added that, FOMWAG is an umbrella organization for all Muslim women and served as their mouth-piece in Ghana. FOMWAG educates Muslim women on several issues like reproductive health, capacity building and gender base violence. The speaker called on the Muslim youth to refrain from the internet fraud known as "Sakaawa" and made them to understand that, information technology is to enhance and improve one's education to easily link up with the global world.

She called on the men to avoid all forms of violence militating against the development of the Muslim women in Ghana, adding that, men should not be seen as a threat in competition, no matter the heights the women should attain and that the small contribution and achievements of Muslim women should be a springboard to partner the men in raising the good image of Islam in Ghana.

In another speech on "Conscientizing of the Muslim Woman for Development, Hajj Zagoon-Sayeed Haruna, a research fellow of the Muslim Academy said Islam cannot exist without tradition and that women are the utmost divine leaders and they must be regularly reminded about that. He said Muslim women needed to be educated and therefore called on Muslim communities to educate the girl-child to the highest level by encouraging and supporting them since Islam makes education an imperative requirement.

The third speaker, Hajia Hannatu Abubakr Bimi spoke on the achievement of the daughter of Prophet Mohammed, Naana-Fatima Zahra and the good work she undertook and called Muslim women to emulate her. Mr. Valiollah Mohammadi, the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran, in an address said nations owe a debt of gratitude to men and more to women, since women bring up brave men and added that, a nation deprived of such women is doomed to failure. Mr. Mohammadi added that women strengthened nations and emboldens them to actively participate in the construction of the Islamic society.

He said Iran is celebrating its 30th anniversary of the victory of Islamic Revolution this year. It was the Iranian women who played a critical role in the Iranian Revolution and have contributed immensely in education, human capacity building and economic development. In attendance at the Seminar included, Cultural Consulate of Iranian Embassy, Mr. Abbas-Ali Afsari, a Senior Lecturer of the Department of Religions at the University of Ghana, Dr. Rabiatu Ammah, students of Ghana Lebanon Islamic Secondary School, Kwame Nkrumah Circle and Andamah Islamic School Newtown, The Seminar was chaired by Mrs. Safiratu Mohammed, a water and sanitation expert. 14 Feb. 09