Product Description

In this extraordinary and powerful book, now available in paperback, Fatima Mernissi, one of the most original and distinctive voices in the Islamic world, uncovers a hidden history of women leaders of Islamic states stretching back over fifteen centuries.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #892610 in Books
• Published on: 1994-09-12
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 240 pages

Review
′A brilliant achievement of feminist historical archaeology! ... an outstanding work of feminist cultural history and politics.′ Susanne Kappeler

′... fascinating book.′ Sunday Telegraph

′The Forgotten Queens of Islam is not merely a well–researched investigation of the past, but a manifesto for the Islamic world in the 1990s. A tersely eloquent discussion of the nature of power in Islam.′ New Statesman & Society

′Professor Mernissi′s erudition is impressive ... her analyses of the nature of political power, the confrontation between Islam and modern democracy, and the rise of fundamentalism are illuminating.′ The Independent

′... a very readable broad sweep of history.′ Times Literary Supplement

′The book is not only an exciting foray into a subject that begs for more research, but also an exhortation to Muslims to rediscover the democratic and egalitarian roots of their religion.′ Far Eastern Economic Review

′The book is an original piece of work which, undoubtedly, constructs a challenging contribution to the official history of women in Islam. The readings generate inspiring knowledge to the debates concerning politics, gender and power.′ Sociology

′It is essential reading for all who want to clarify and balance their understanding of Islamic societies through history – Muslims and non–Muslims both.′ AJPH

From the Back Cover
In this extraordinary book, now available in paperback, Fatima Mernissi looks back through fifteen centuries of Islam and uncovers a hidden history of women who have held the reins of state power, but whose lives and stories, achievements and failures, have largely been forgotten.

Mernissi concludes this absorbing historical inquiry by reflecting on its implications for the ways in which politics is practised in the Islamic world today, a world in which women, while generally more educated than their predecessors, are largely excluded from the political domain.

About the Author
Fatima Mernissi studied political science and sociology at Mohammed V University where she is now a researcher. Her many previous books include Beyond the Veil.

Customer Reviews

An analysis of female power in Islam
The 1st part describes definitions of words like power, caliph, queen and harem and how these definitions exclude women from power. The 2nd part describes briefly some Islamic Queens. A chapter with the title "The Queens of Yemen" mainly describes the life and death of Ali, son-in-law of the Prophet, and the Shi'ite - Sunni controversy. The book concludes with some thoughts on a 'Medina democracy'.
Although the book could have focussed more on actual Islamic Queens, it still is a rare book about an interesting, but hardly explored subject.