Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1906-08-15
MosLEM WOMEN.
Their Property Rights and Freedom
80 Garry on rau.fn~.s

90 Garry ON business.
The prevalent notion that Moham-
medon women are very materially re-
stricted IN their property relations
that, IN fact. they are little better
than slaves. possessed OF few rights
which man Is bound % rcsp,ct-is
quite erroneous. In general terms,
"woman's rights I'm respect TO prop
erty and material possessions OF Do
runiary value exist I'm the largest sunse
smong Mohammedan people aud have
20 prevailed for many centuries. In
fact. MOhOmmedan women. whether
single or married. are absolutely free
In respect TO property relations. They
may Inherit. buy and sell and acQuire
by nll the methods OF legitimate bust
ness the same IA men. and they may
carry on any trade or profession and
manage their business affairs without
the participation OF husbands. parents,
brothers or other persons than those
designated by themselves. should they
prefer not to act personally. as their
agents or representatives.
The "wakil," or business attorney Of
a woman. Is very frequent parsonage
I'm oil business affairs. and he Is often
called into court 20 answer for his adj
ninistration. cited by the woman pro
prietor who is not required if she he
OF full age, 10 have the consent OF her
husband or guardian, as I'm Europe. 10
sue and De sued and perform all the
acts Incident 20 her estate Property
rights. Il VIII he noted. ere entirely
independent OF sex OF marital relation
The only disability attending these
wOmen's property relations is in nc
quirement ny inheritance Their sex
and social condition throw about them
certain restraints. but solely as TO sue
cession ana inheritance There arc no
restrictions as 90 purchase and sale
and general administration In the
sale of land the husband remains an
entire stranger; De does not join In tho
deed Of conveyance or participate ia
the price. But I'm rcspcc; OF Inheritance
the rights Of women are relatively In
fcrior - those Of mon
Sons inherit One-half. daughters one
quarter. wives only onc-c.ghth. but II
tho wife has no children shc takes ono
quarter. Where there Is more than
ono vito (and the Niohammcdan law
allows -FOUR tho eighth or quarter. "a
the case may be. must 10 distributed
pro rata among them III Tho wife IS
allowed but one-cighth whom there arc
children. because the mother Will share
70 a degree in the minor ,hild's Inherit
ancc. ana, uguin. childrca are bound,
rs soon as capable. 20 contribute 10
the support Of the mother Further
moro. there f. Invariably a dowry pro
vided by the husband 20 the time Of
marriage. which remain, lnviolate to
tho wife, and If it-has not al been paid
over 10 her I'm advance or if Il has
been used by the husband even for
family necessities Il remains debt
against the estate and must be paid
before distribution 20 TIE other heirs.
Tho wife IS not Obliged % contribute
from her separate estate tor the main
tenoncc ~ thc family. ASA IL the hus-
band has used any part # the wife's
property for such purpose she may
maintain suit 0ca'ns, him for its
restitution. As for the daughters. Il IS
presumed That they require less than
the sons. and they may rcmalu under
tho protection Of the male members
OF tho family oven nftcr tho breaking
uD OF tho home Furthermore. should
they marry and marriaC, Il universal
-thcrc nrc no "old mails"l they re-
cCivC dowry from their husband
Judge BatchCller i'm North American
Review.