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Accepted Contribution:
Navigating Islam, Feminism, and Anthropology in Europe in times of Genocide of Palestinians
Shahana Siddiqui
(University van Amsterdam)
Are we bad feminists? Are we bad Muslims? Do we speak out against the genocide of Palestinians or do we save our jobs? Whom do we even go to when European academic institutions and governments are squeezing spaces for dialogues, debates, and dissent? What is the relevance of feminism in such times?
Contribution long abstract:
As the horror of Gaza unfolds in front of our screens in real time, the global community is united in feeling both enraged and disempowered by the political decisions of a powerful few. Everyday new statistics come out telling us that everyday two mothers die in Gaza or that this is a war against children or that the rate of miscarriages have gone up. Simultaneously, we are witnessing blatant silencing and repression of activists wanting a permanent ceasefire. "Western" countries and their academic institutions are systematically tightening spaces for dialogues, debates, and dissent. In this situation, what is the role of Muslim feminists working in the global North? How do we navigate through difficult terrains of ensuring our livelihoods while speaking up against the genocide? What is the relevance of Islamic feminism in the light of such horror? How did we get here? And where will we go from here? This paper aims to bring some of these difficult thoughts together to engage with fellow feminist anthropologists to somehow make sense of this dystopian reality.