Turkey's Islamic Reformation

[_fustian]

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The Qur'an has no direct equivalent in mainstream Christianity; it is believed by Muslims to be a revealed text, literally the word of God conveyed to Muhammad by the Angel Gabriel. The Muslim equivalent of the New Testament gospels are the hadith collections, which bring together descriptions of the actions and sayings

Comments

[baby_elvis]

I saw a very interesting program on SBS about a similar program in morocco, where women were being trained as clerics and being sent to rural areas to counter growing conservatism.

[_fustian]

Yep, I saw that too. This Turkish effort is more radical though, involving the investiture of 450 senior female imams or Vaizes (as opposed to junior Morchidat "guides" in Morocco).

[xhile]

Wow.

that's very interesting.

I read a book by a Pakistan-born Muslim lesbian about reforming Islam. Much of folk Islam seems to still be very mediaeval in outlook, to this outsider.

Actually, that's an insult to the (very good) mediaeval thinkers, Islamic and otherwise.

I had no idea they'd even consider female clerics.

Anyway, here's hoping.

[_fustian]

I had no idea they'd even consider female clerics.

There are certainly some precedents, particularly in recent years, but it's not common yet. Turkey's precedent is very important, and encouraging.