After 1400 years of interpretation of the Quran, re-interpretation needs to look at the Prophet’s behaviour (he did not practice or promote violence against women in his time). The meaning of “to beat” when reinterpreted actually can mean ‘go away’ or ‘separate’. The concept of beating a wife is not a gender issue, but a human rights issue.

Waheeda – In country contexts, like South Africa, where Muslims are a minority, and where there is no sharia court confined in the country’s constitution, Islamic matters pertaining to women’s personal law are informally dealt with at community level. Yet, where women can not find proper redress against more conservative interpretations of their community ulamas, they may seek redress in the secular courts. However, these latter are no panacea either, for final redress, as ultimately, the Muslim woman must find acceptance of her arguments within her community. Non-recognition by muslim communities of secular court marriages, for instance, may not guarantee women’s rights under sharia law. However, equality for women can be enforced within the public sphere, and Islamic experts would need to be involved in secular court decisions.

Immigrant Muslim communities still face pronouncements from their conservative religious leaders. Through film, one can highlight issues in a non-hostile, entertaining way. However, male scholars need to engage amongst each other, if reform is to emerge.