Courses and lectures of September 2006
Nissa wa Aafaq believes it is of great importance to focus on informative work. Addressing both
the local as well as Western public. The notion of modern interpretation of the Islamic holy texts is
not known to many among these audiences. This work will be done through lectures and courses, symposiums,
conferences and publications regarding this stream of thought. It is also important to create a library
for books and publications of relevance.
Nissa WA Aafaq organizes lectures for different women's groups around the country.
These lectures are mainly aimed at exposing as many women as possible from various backgrounds
to the existence of modern interpretations of the holy texts; for many women, this is their first
encounter with this notion. Many women are enthusiastic, anxious to know more and to keep in contact
with Nissa WA Aafaq and its activities. Nissa WA Aafaq will continue its lecture program during the next
year as it proved to be an important base for its work for social change.
Nissa WA Aaqaq has also given lectures to Jewish audiences around the country, through event
of cross cultural dialogue and activities held by interested Jewish organizations. Some of these events
were attended by Western public, from Europe and the US.
Currently, Nissa WA Aafaq is working on building a curriculum for courses that Nissa WA Aafaq's staff and activists will facilitate for women and men interested in broadening their knowledge in this issue. The courses will include the following topics: the importance of women's knowledge in the field of religion (regarding women's rights in this context) Skills for participation and standing up for a feminist agenda in dialogue with religious authorities the broad possibilities within the Islamic texts for promoting social change in the status of women in accordance with a modern and feminist point of view.
Amman-Jordan, April 20-27, 2004
Between 20 and 27 of April 2004, 15 women of different backgrounds participated in a
course given by the prominent Moroccan scholar, Dr.Farida Bennani. This course was aimed at,
creating the basis for Nissa WA Aafaq's professional staff that will direct Nissa WA Aafaq's
activities with women's groups. It also created the theoretical and ideological basis as well
as reading material for Nissa WA Aafaq's future activities. Nissa WA Aafaq is extremely proud
of this course, as the first of its kind provided for Palestinian women from Israel.
Nissa wa Aafaq is currently building a unique library, which is the first of its kind in the country. The library will contain books on feminism, women and Islam, and particularly books on modern as well as classical interpretations of the Islamic Holy texts. The library will provide the material for Nissa wa Aafaq courses. It will also serve as a resource library for feminist researchers, especially in the triangle area where Nissa WA Aafaq is virtually the only feminist organization. As the only body collecting these texts, Nissa WA Aafaq is expected to become an important resource center for academics, activists and researchers throughout the country. The library contains books, as well as various publications by various feminist and other organizations, both local and international, working on relevant issues. Among these publications, the WLUML network (Women Living under Muslim Laws) has donated most of its valuable publications to Nissa WA Aafaq.
Designed by: Manal Saabni
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