Reading Group for Muslim Women

The Reading Group focuses on books written by Muslim women or with topics of particular relevance to Muslim women today, and we also watch films together. Whether motivated by your passion for books and a love of sharing them with others, or if you simply want to get into the habit of reading – this group is for you! On Wednesday 19th June we’ll have a film screening and discussion of The Judge, a portrait of a remarkable woman who overcame a male-dominated tradition to change minds.

This event is in collaboration with Tongues on Fire – UK Asian Film Festival 2019 and AMINA: Muslim Women’s Resource Centre.

Reading Group for Muslim Women, Wednesday 19th June, 11am to 1pm, The Ark, and Friday 2nd August, 10am to 12pm, GWL, Women only

On Wednesday 19th June, we’ll be screening The Judge. Showing Shari’a law in a way we’ve never seen before–through the story of the first-ever female judge in Palestine’s religious courts–The Judge is portrait of a remarkable woman who overcame a male-dominated tradition to change minds.

Middle East religious courts, including the Shari’a courts of Islam which adjudicate domestic and family matters, have traditionally banned women from serving as judges – until Kholoud Al-Faqih dared challenge that history. In 2009, with the support of a progressive Sheikh, Kholoud became the first woman Shari’a judge in the Middle East with her appointment to a Palestinian Shari’a court in the West Bank. She dispenses justice in domestic and family affairs like marriage, divorce, abuse, and child custody, which have always leaned heavily in favor of men.

With unique access to these courts, The Judge presents an unfolding vérité legal drama, with rare insight into both Islamic law and gendered justice in the Middle East.

Director: Erika Cohn is an Emmy Award-winning director/producer who Variety recognized as one of 2017’s top ten documentary filmmakers. The Judge premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and also screened at DOC NYC, the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival and more.

To find out more please contact syma.ahmed@womenslibrary.org.uk

“Proudly draping a Palestinian flag over her shoulder as part of her uniform, Judge Kholoud Al-Faqih has arguably changed the course of history.” – The Muslim Vibe Review

“Progress, as ever, is not linear. Over the course of the film, successive new chief justices sideline Judge Faqih, and then promote her again. Other women, wanting to get ahead as senior lawyers and judges, stumble. But the door has opened, just a crack. “We do indeed need a social revolution,” Judge Faqih tells some fired-up women. This deft film shows just how much patience and grit such a revolution will take.” – The Economist

Booking

This workshop is for women only* and is free to attend. Please book below (you will be taken through the shopping cart but no charge will be made) or you can call us on 0141 550 2267. If you have booked a place and are no longer able to attend please let us know so that we can make your place available to someone else.

*All women-only events are inclusive of Trans, Intersex women, non-binary and gender fluid people.

Accessibility

This screening and discussion takes place at The Ark. The address is: 70 Coplaw St, Glasgow G42 7JG and this space is wheelchair accessible. There is a separate entrance with a ramp so please get in touch with us at 0141 550 2267 or email us and we’ll make sure to meet you outside and direct you to the accessible entrance to the building.