Sociologist Dr. Sariya Cheruvallil-Contractor, a convert to Islam, published her book 'Muslim Women in Britain: Demystifying the Muslimah' in 2012, providing a valuable insight into the lives and attitudes of Muslim women in the UK. The aim of the research is to give a voice to Muslim women who Contractor feels are often mis-represented in the media.

According to her research, which she conducted over a three year period, many of the challenges experienced by Muslim women are no different to those facing women of other backgrounds; a glass ceiling at work, equal pay and balancing childcare, family and work. "We are all essentially women, balancing careers, families and parenthood and women's rights."[1]

Contractor reports that despite all the negative stereotypes about subjugated Muslim women, she found the reality to be very different: 

"When I actually went out into communities, I found strong, active and socially-integrated women who were using their difference (as exemplified by their visible religious practices) to build spaces where difference and diversity could be discussed. These were also spaces where Muslim women could challenge patriarchy that was clearly prevalent in some Muslim communities. However in both cases they chose to do it in a way that conformed to their values and their beliefs, which they considered significant within their lives." [2]

“In reinstating the Muslim woman as her own storyteller I heard stories of love, sadness, aspiration and challenges; simple stories that presented a powerful message of commonality between women irrespective, and in spite of, difference in religion." [3]

Speaking to Maslaha, Dr. Contractor said that she likes the word 'feminism' and sees it as 'a giant icebreaker,' adding that she thinks accepting the languages of other people can be a great enabler.

---

[1] Derby University website: http://www.derby.ac.uk/news/new-book-seeks-to-get-british-muslim-womens-voices-heard
[2] Sariya Cheruvallil-Contractor, Recognizing Muslim Women's Voices, Public Spirit (2014) 
[3] Derby University website: http://www.derby.ac.uk/news/new-book-seeks-to-get-british-muslim-womens-voices-heard