Forum to Focus on Women in 3 Religions
The forum, "Women Who Shaped Our Faith," will be Sunday, Mar 23 at The Prayer Centerin Orland Park.
The speakers are Rachel Havrelock, associate professor, Department of English and Jewish Studies, University of Illinois at Chicago; Rev. Shana Johnson, pastor, Peace Memorial Untied Church of Christ, Palos Park; and Tahera Ahmad, Muslim chaplain, Northwestern University, Evanston.
The South West Interfaith Team (SWIFT) planned the forum to acknowledge International Women's Day, which was March 8.
Until her college adviser suggested she take a closer look at the Book of Ruth in the Hebrew Bible, Havrelock said she thought the story was about a subservient woman. But then she realized that even though Ruth lived in a patriarchal society, she and her mother-in-law, Naomi were strong women. The two worked together to "find a suitable marriage partner for Ruth to make sure she gives birth to an heir," said Havrelock, noting they also became property owners.
"They founded a divinic line …the geneologic line of the Messiah," Havrelock said.
She pointed out that Jewish women often learned the local language in European societies, while men studied at Jewish educational institutions.
"It's an interesting case where Jewish women in some cases did have a little more autonomy in the secular world than women in other religions did," Havrelock said.
Johnson said women throughout Christianity had an active role in spreading the faith. She noted in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 10, verses 38-42, that when Mary was listening to Jesus but Martha wanted her to help around the house, Jesus supported Mary's choice.
"Jesus affirms Mary's discipleship," said Johnson. "I believe Mary and her sister Martha were indeed some of the first disciples. Women have and will continue to play a crucial role in being carriers of Christian faith and bearing witness to a belief of Jesus Christ as Lord and savior."
Amy Chaaban, a board member of the American Islamic Association in Frankfort, said women had always been an important part of Islam, from owning and managing property centuries ago to sometimes fighting in battles.
"Verses in the Quran extol the pious qualities of women," said Chaaban, who is attending but not speaking at the forum..
Many women today serve on the boards of mosques, civil rights organizations, work in professions and are educators, she said.
"Muslim women had the right to vote, choose their spouse, own property and businesses during the Prophet's time," said Chaaban. "When did American or European women have the right to vote?"
Chaaban said such forums are an important way for one religious group to educate another.
"My mother shaped my faith even though she is Christian ," said Chaaban. "She is the one who taught me about God, his mercy, his love for us."
Khalid Mozaffar, who is helping organize the forum with Mohammed Nofal — both of SWIFT —said one reason for choosing the topic was that attendees at past forums had wondered if the three religions considered women subservient to men.
"We expect the speakers to address many misperceptions and myths about the status and role of women defined by religion that are often heard in general discourse or in the media," Mozaffar said.
Source: Chicago Tribune
