Women in Islam/from Medieval to Modern Times
The Western misconception of all Muslim women as robed and veiled, languishing unfulfilled in harems under the harsh rule of polygamous husbands, is dispelled in this new translation of Walther's 1981 book, originally issued by an East German publisher ( LJ 2/1/82). The veil and arranged marriage predated Islam by centuries, but Islam did not enforce them and gave women the right to property and to divorce. During the ascendance of Islam, women played an active role professionally and on the battlefield, but as Islamic society fell into disarray, their rights eroded. The 20th century opened Islamic countries to secular ideas, and Turkey led the way to change. The Shah of Iran forbade the veil in 1926. Customs do not die overnight, but women at last are regaining some rights. Libraries that already own the first edition of this work need not buy this new edition, since the text is only slightly amended (although the new publisher claims it's completely revised and enlarged), but others should consider this a valuable purchase.- Louise Leonard, Univ. of Florida Libs., GainesvilleCopyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.