The Sociology Video Project

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Title: Islam & feminism

Rating: 3.6 out of 4

Reference: Producer, Nighat Said Khan.
New York, NY: First Run Icarus Films, 1991.
25 minutes
Punjabi with English subtitles
Call number: video 3629

Abstract: Film examines the inequities in Pakistan's Islamic law, which does not distinguish among rape, adultery and fornication. Under this law, the testimony of two women is valued as equal to that of one man. A rape victim can be charged under Islamic law with having had extramarital sex. This report examines these contradictions, and introduces efforts of women's organizations to battle the severe discrimination which Pakistani women must endure.

Sociology subjects:
The city (in part)
Community activism
Feminisms & feminist analyses
Religion & spirituality
Resisting the state

Reviews and Numerical Ratings

3.5 Shows concerns of urban feminists working on legal issues, fundamentalist women (briefly), as well as a militant feminist peasant network. Not about talking heads! Dispels the stereotype that Western feminisms are most significant. Brings in well issues of the economy, caste, urban-rural difference, the role of the state. Highly informative & thoughtful, but moves a little slowly and, at a few points, more background info would help. Note that the abstract, above, focuses on only one issue covered by the video. Lecture topics: feminisms, the state, sociology of religion, social movements. Reem Attieh & Kathy Bischoping

3 This is a well-balanced, challenging video that I would highly recommend showing to undergrads. It does justice to both the complexities & historical specificities of women’s organising in Pakistan, without being too specific or caught up in details. It allows women of a variety of economic & political positions to speak for themselves. Its only downfall is that it is slightly dated. Laura Fenton

4 A good video to show women’s organizing & struggle in Pakistan. May be useful to challenge the racializing idea that Muslims & women in Pakistan aren’t organized or feminist. Good narrative. Speakers are articulate and knowledgeable. Riley Olstead

4 Tremendous video. Illustrates the pluralistic experiences of women in Pakistan. Abstract, static, & monolithic images of the nonwestern women are eroded as women describe their diverse experiences. Rape, the caste system, the State, religion, laws, & cultural values are confronted as factors that serve to further subjugate women in Pakistan. However, an essentialist oppression of Pakistani women is not the theme of this video. In fact, some women describe feeling more liberated & less inhibited in Pakistan, than when they lived in the United States. The needs & experiences of women in urban areas are shown to be different from those of women in rural locations. Within these variant subjective experiences, women are seen as agents rather than victims - a women’s resistance movement in Pakistan that is active & strong is described. Attention should be paid to the video’s exposure of how religion & women’s subjugation are closely associated. The video should also have addressed the historical conditions that propel the phenomenon of religion to become influential in the production & reproduction of gendered oppression. However, this video is superbly informative and it positively identifies a feminist discourse that is nonwestern, significant & powerful. Suitable for students at any level. Belinda Godwin

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