On Sept. 14, Werner Lange, professor of sociology, organized a discussion on "Women of Islam," held in the Frank G. Pogue Student Center theater. Sister Suna Aziz of the Cleveland Islamic Center addressed the audience about the common misconceptions of the Muslim religion, the role women play in Islam and the state of the religion in today's world.
"Women are probably the most misunderstood aspects of Islam in the most misunderstood religion in the world," Sister Aziz said. "It's not just a religion, but it's a way of life."
Sister Aziz told the crowd about her spiritual journey. Raised a Muslim, Aziz began to really appreciate her religion around the age of 25.
"It wasn't until I became more educated that I began to discover Islam for myself."
Aziz said she believes that God sees men and women as equals. "God sent us a message [in the time of ignorance during the Dark Ages] and in that message, God elevated the status of women to be equal to men."
Sister Aziz said God has created everyone differently, but equally. "Just the way God wants it to be."
Women, according to Aziz, have always been important figures in Islam. "[When Islam began], women started to step up since they realized they had the opportunity and ability. They became scholars and teachers."
She said that it has been documented in history that with every great male scholar in the Islamic religion, their teachers have been women.
"We have this incredible history of women that goes on for centuries," Aziz said, "Islam brought mercy to our intellect."
She went on to mention that modern Islamic countries such as Turkey, Pakistan and Bangladesh have all had female heads of state.
Sister Aziz wondered if we are in another time of ignorance today.
"We live in a world today where people are too afraid to say 'God.' We are so busy that we do not care about our community and we need to." She believes that this is where Islam comes in.
"It helps deal with the ills of society," she said.
In Islam, all Muslims are born to please God and to try and live a virtuous life. Many Muslims abstain from engaging in reckless behavior like drinking or drug abuse because it puts them or others in harm's way, said Aziz.
"We are not a Muslim if our neighbor is hungry and we go to bed full," said Aziz.
The month of Ramadan was also discussed. "This is a month of leaving everything and focusing on your relationship with God," explained Aziz. "You get to think about the past year and think of all the mistakes you have made.
"During Ramadan, Satan cannot harm us. So when we get these feelings of badness, it is coming from us. It is a time to fix the problems within yourself."
According to Sister Aziz, young Muslims in America have respect for themselves and for their faith. "Wearing their hijab is an identity. God comes first in their lives."
When asked why she chooses to wear a hijab, Aziz explained that she wears it because she demands respect.
"I want you to respect me for who I am, not for what I look like." She says wearing a hijab is a responsibility.
"On 9/11, my dad called me from Jerusalem and told me to take it off because it wasn't safe," she saud, "but I want people to know I am Muslim; it's important."
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