Meredith's Muslim Student Association (MSA) held a forum to discuss "Women in Islam" on October 4, as part of Ramadan Week, which is designed to educate the campus about the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Meredith College's campus theme for 2006-07 is The Status of Women, and "in keeping with this theme, we wanted to have an event on Women in Islam," said MSA President Marium Ali, '06.

The featured speaker was Debbie Jaunich, of the Islamic Center of Raleigh. Jaunich, a frequent guest speaker at Meredith, discussed the Islamic perspective on the rights of women in marriage, divorce, inheritance, work and involvement in society.

Jaunich also talked about Original Sin, in the story of Adam and Eve.

"In Islam [unlike other Abrahamic faiths], the reprimand is more on Adam, rather than Eve," Jaunich said. "This began to erase the stigma of women."

In Islam, education is "a God-given right" for both men and women, Jaunich said.

"This is one of the most overlooked rights that women are given [in Islam]," Jaunich said. "We hope that we can reemphasize this into the future."

The Women in Islam presentation also included a question and answer session. Jaunich was asked about the lack of women's rights in some Islamic countries.

"There seems to be a tug of war between culture and what is in the faith," Jaunich said. "For example, in Afghanistan, while the people may be of the Muslim faith, [the government] may or may not be practicing it to perfection."

The Women in Islam presentation was just one event in MSA's Ramadan Week. Earlier in the week, Meredith students participated in a "Hijab Dialogue," a panel discussion about the hijab, or headscarf, Students offered different perspectives on what the hijab means to them and their faith.

"I represent Islam the minute I walk out of my house," student Marium Asad said of wearing the hijab. "It sets me apart, but I'm proud to wear it."

Other Ramadan Week events include the October 5 "MeredithFasts," in which the Meredith community was invited to fast for a day as a way of experiencing Ramadan, and an MSA Bazaar from 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. on October 6, featuring traditional jewelry, scarves and shawls.

The Muslim Student Association is a newly formed student organization at Meredith. For more information, email msa@meredith.edu.