Suffrage for Islamic Women Takes Center Stage in Iraq

by Tammy Bruce, guest blogger
http://www.tammybruce.com/

One of the more important (of several) elements regarding the successful Iraqi provincial elections earlier this month is the fact that 4,000 women ran for office. They were vocal not only about their convictions that more women in office means violence will decrease, they put their own lives on the line in their commitment to their country and families.

That's the core of an increasing international awareness that suffrage for Islamic women is at the heart of stopping Islamic-linked terrorism. The Iraqi election, with Muslim women running for office and winning the support of their fellow Muslim citizens, also highlights the rank absurdity of the Saudi position that Islam requires women to be treated like inconvenient cattle.

The coverage of the election speaks to this life, country and region-changing revelation:

...Some women candidates say these elections -- only the second provincial elections since the fall of Saddam Hussein -- are a chance to improve their standing in Iraqi society.

Nibras al-Mamuri is a secular female candidate who argues that fundamentalists have taken over the country. She says it was the 2005 elections that brought them into power and tarnished Islam's image in Iraq.

Al-Mamuri, who is running for the Baghdad provincial council, says it's time for a change. "Although a woman's role in the Arab world is mainly that of a mother and child bearer," she said, "I want to prove that women are just as capable as men when it comes to challenging arenas." [...]

"I've entered a battlefield where women have to prove they are competent," she said. "I have to forget about fear."

In recent years, Iraqi women have been targeted by extremists for a variety of reasons -- from not covering their hair to entering the political arena.  (CNN.com)

It is, of course, that last comment that should be of special concern. The fact that they're running now is good, but as the Obama administration pushes leaving Iraq, unless pressure remains on this issue internationally these brave women will be the first to be 'disappeared' if fundamentalists are free to operate without the world watching.

In fact, there is still resistance among the Iraqi men in power. Resistance to women gaining power is nothing new and has been an issue in every society at one point or another. But in the 21st century, the world must demand the Islamic states join the rest of the civilized world and be serious about women and their desperately needed influence.

Another election story focuses on a woman who ran whose husband had been arrested for terrorist activities. She, too, argues not for her husband's radical agenda, but that women in office means less violence and extremism:

"His detention was political, and after he was detained, I decided that I would go all the way and make every effort to reach a position where I can make a difference," she said. […]

"I don't know why they consider this to be an achievement, because women make up more than 60 percent of the population," she said. "This is something we are looking to change in the future. If women win, we would have more peace and less violence."  (KansasCity.com)

The success of women in Iraq is a perfect template for arguments throughout the Islamic world especially that keeping women and girls from the public sphere is not 'religious,' it's oppression.

Overall, these efforts are great news and another indication of the importance of the liberation of Iraq and why our enemy was so desperate to stop it.

Conservative feminist, New York Times bestselling author, top-rated radio talk show host, Tammy Bruce shares insights regularly on Fox News.  An authentic advocate for universal women's rights, audiences tune into The Tammy Bruce Show ranking it the #1 internet talk show by TalkStreamLive.  Hear Tammy and read more at http://www.tammybruce.com/.