The Impact of Religion on Arab Women
Dr. Hanan Ahmad Khimish

Abstract
The issue of women and their role in society occupies a position of great importance in Muslim and non-Muslim societies. Religion is one of the important factors that determines women’s role in the Arab world. Arab society, in general is a conservative society that depends heavily on Islamic teachings. Thus, it is not surprising to find that discussing the status of Muslim women takes place in term of Quarnic perception rather than secularist perception. In this paper, I will discuss debates on Arab women’s conditions in general, and in relation to their participation in public activities outside the house in particular. I will give general discussion about Islam and whether it harmed or improved women’s position. The paper concludes that social customs and traditions prevailing in many Arab countries are the reasons behind the declining position of Muslim women more than the religion itself.

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