An Inter Press Service Feature
AMMAN, Nov 09 (IPS) - Delegates from 22 Middle East countries gathered at the Arab Region Preparatory Conference here have been at pains to point out that Islam is a religion which teaches them openness, love and moderation in the modern world.
"I consider Islam as the only system that can save humanity from all its problems," said Yansuruha Bint Mohammed, director of Mauritania's Department of Family Planning.
She believes the West has misconceptions of what Islam and the Koran means to Middle East women.
"In reality Islam gives women equality with men, even though some clergymen misinterpret this and say we are not."
Another of 320 delegates gathered here for what is a preparatory meeting to the Fourth International Women's Conference in Beijing agreed that Islam had greatly enriched her role as a woman.
Dr Elmira Suleimanova, chair of the Azerbaijan Women's Association, said: "It is only since we erased our communist past that I have been able to practice our religion completely. Now I see it as beautiful religion also with scientific fundamentals.
"However, I can only agree with progressive Muslims and the progressive aspects of the religion which teaches us good human values."
She said she had no contact with fundamentalists and had recently met with highly educated and sophisticated Iranian women who claimed Iran was a paradise for women.
A 29-year-old Yemeni delegate said she wore the Niqab -- a garment which covers her face and her body -- in obedience to her total Islamic belief.
"I do not agree with any of the Islamic fundamentalist extremists. I am wearing the Niqab here because it does not prevent me from mixing with people from other religions, including men."
She could not imagine any true Muslim would behave like some extremist groups whose only aim is to mar the image of Islam and make others fear it.
An Algerian delegate said she had been on the receiving end of Islamic fundamentalism in her country and said she believed the end result of their strategy would be plunge the country into a moral and political darkness.
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