By Ahmed Ajikobi
A University Don and National President, Criterion Sisters, Dr (Mrs.) Saudat Sallah Abdulbaqi has stated that Islam as a religion is not gender biased
She stated this at the 3rd public lecture/interactive session organised by the protection of Women Dignity Initiative (PWDI) recently..
Speaking on the theme “Muslim women and the right to self- realisation,” she said the Islam is not a sexist religion as it does not discriminate between male and female.
Abdulbaqi, who is the Head, Department of Mass Communication, University of Ilorin also advocated equal rights to education for female and male children, stressing that women should not be treated as second fiddle.
On the role of couples, she said Islam encourages husbands and wives to play complementary roles to each other.
Highlighting some of the challenges denying women from attaining self-realisation, Abdulbaqi identified “scarcity of good men” and cultural factors among other factors.
As a way of attaining self-realisation, the communication experts urged women in particular, to employ the power of communication to address issues that could debar their progress.
“A woman should be encouraged to identify her potentials. There can be no development without you realising your strength and weakness and it’s only then that you can only carve a niche for yourself and pursue your goal with passion. When you have internal drives, you must pursue it with passion and realise it.’
She charged women to be responsible for themselves, relate with God fearing people that can help in their relationship, adding that they should also live up to expectation in their homes.
In her remarks, the Coordinator of the initiative, Dr Nimah AbdulRaheem, said the group was formed to address issues affecting women development with a view to encouraging them attain their goals.
‘To let us know that Islam accord women a lot of right and this right has not been enjoyed by most female folks,” she explained.
Abdulraheem stated further that the only way to benefit it is to get support from the male gender, noting that the challenges facing women is not peculiar to Nigeria.
“Nigeria is in darkness, women should be given chance to solve problems. Even in Islam, women had access to political right as the men. And the constitution of Nigeria says there should be no gender discrimination’.
She, however cautioned women against competing with their husbands, saying a virtuous Muslim woman must be submissive to her husband .
The event, which was well attended by members of the academic community, Islamic groups and the media also featured the recitation of the Holy Quran.
