Feminism in the Works of Fawziyya Abū Khālid

In her article "Feminism in the Works of Fawziyya Abu Khalid" Muneerah Badr Almahasheer examines how the Saudi poet Fawziyya Abu Khalid (1955-present) addresses feminism in her poems. Although distinct, Islam is frequently conflated with Arabic culture; consequently, women's role in Islam is commonly misunderstood. Therefore, following Western feminists, Muslim feminists have called for readings and understandings of the Qur'an, wherein the authority of the historically patriarchal interpretations is not assumed, and the sanctity of the text is valued. Through this lens, Abu Khalid's poems critically interrogate Arabic Muslim identity, particularly with regard to gender. A selected reading of Abu Khalid's works clarifies the division between patriarchal Arabic tribal culture and Muslim identity; she focuses on the possibilities of female oriented society and limitations of the existing culture. Abu Khalid is one of the most prominent Saudi figures addressing issues of Arabic culture, Islam, and gender, and their intersections.