Paper short abstract:

The diffusion of Islam into Europe has brought the subject of religion to the forefront of public discourse. My paper discusses the similar concepts of gender in Judaism, Christianity and Islam and the cross-cutting influences that modify or reinforce these notions.

Paper long abstract:

The influx of millions of Muslims, and thus the diffusion of Islam, into a Europe that had considered itself predominantly secular though heavily influenced by Christianity, has brought the issue of religion into public discourse. Rather than an alien religion, Islam shares much with Judaism and Christianity including the foundational story of Abraham. My paper discusses the different expressions of very similar concepts of gender in the three monotheistic religions and speculates on some of the cross-cutting influences that modify or reinforce the notions of gender.