By Sara Elghobashy

November 18, 2008

Whenever a story breaks that Muslim women are suffering somewhere in the world, the press foams at the mouth. Headlines with the words “unveiled” or “veiled” pop up everywhere and the world goes on to sing the song of “Muslim women are oppressed. Someone save them from their religion!” Yet, when news emerges that Muslim women are gaining some footing, there isn’t a peep about it in Western news outlets.

This is exactly what happened earlier this month when the UAE announced that next year it will be appointing its first state-sanctioned female muftis, respected interpreters of Islamic law who even have the decision-making power to issue fatwas. Six women are currently being considered for the training program, which will last several months. Women currently serve as religious advisors at the Abu Dhabi fatwa center but are confined to advising women on “women’s issues.” However, this new role will give women the opportunity to advise and issue decrees on religious matters.

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