THE IDEA OF FEMALE MUEZZINS AND IMAMS IN ISLAM: A CHALLENGE TO THE PAKISTANI PATRIARCHAL FORCES

Abstract

This research article explores the dynamics of discrimination faced by Pakistani Muslim women in contemporary history regarding the issue of legitimacy of female imams and muezzins. Although there are no authoritative statements affirming that women cannot become imams within the religious scripture of Islam, women from Muslim communities around the world in general and from Pakistan in particular suffer under patriarchal structures and dynamics. This makes it difficult for women to assume imam and/or muezzin positions, as they are often ignored and denied basic opportunities to practice their religious rights such as offering prayers in the mosque. A transformative theoretical underpinning structures and constructs an understanding of the situation, with the help of scholarly interpretations within the framework of modern-day social interactions.