Competing Fundamentalisms and Egyptian Women's Family Rights : International Law and the Reform of Shar?'a-Derived Legislation

Jasmine Moussa

ISBN 10: 9004203095 / ISBN 13: 9789004203099

Published by Brill Jun 2011, 2011

About this Item

Neuware - The debate surrounding women's family rights under Shari'a-derived law has long been held captive to the competing fundamentalisms of universalism and cultural relativism. These two conflicting perspectives fail to promote practical tools through which such laws can be reformed, without prejudice to their religious nature. This book examines the development of Egypt's Shari'a-derived family law, and its compatibility with international obligations to eliminate discrimination against women. It highlights the interplay between domestic reform processes, grounded in the tools of takhayyur, talfiq and ijtihad, and international institutions and mechanisms. In attempting to reconcile these two seemingly dissonant value systems, this book underscores the shortcomings of Egypt's legislation, proposes particular reforms, while simultaneously presenting alternatives to insular interpretations of international women's rights law.

Seller Inventory # 9789004203099

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Competing Fundamentalisms and Egyptian Women's Family Rights : International Law and the Reform of Shar?'a-Derived Legislation
• Publisher: Brill Jun 2011
• Publication Date: 2011
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 9004203095
• ISBN 13: 9789004203099
• Binding: Buch
• Condition: Neu
• Dimensions: 244W x 168H x 23D millimeters 244 millimeters width by 168 millimeters height by 23 millimeters depth
• Weight: 567 grams

About this title

Synopsis

The debate surrounding women’s family rights under Sharī’a-derived law has long been held captive to the competing fundamentalisms of universalism and cultural relativism. These two conflicting perspectives fail to promote practical tools through which such laws can be reformed, without prejudice to their religious nature. This book examines the development of Egypt’s Sharī’a-derived family law, and its compatibility with international obligations to eliminate discrimination against women. It highlights the interplay between domestic reform processes, grounded in the tools of takhayyur, talfiq and ijtihad, and international institutions and mechanisms. In attempting to reconcile these two seemingly dissonant value systems, this book underscores the shortcomings of Egypt’s legislation, proposes particular reforms, while simultaneously presenting alternatives to insular interpretations of international women’s rights law.

About the Author

Jasmine Moussa is a Ph.D candidate at the University of Cambridge, Faculty of Law. From
2008 to 2010 she was the desk officer in charge of Legal Affairs and Human Rights Affairs in the Cabinet of Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs.