I'm Krista Tippett.

My guest today is Leila Ahmed, an Egyptian-born Harvard scholar.

Her personal history parallels some of the defining, political, and social currents of

our time.

She offers a lively, learned, and provocative challenge to current controversies about

Muslim dress and to basic Western assumptions about Islam and the Muslim world and women.

You know, when people think about Muslim women, they think of the image of Saudi Arabia

or Afghanistan.

Why is that?

When 90% of the Muslim world does not wear any of this stuff.

And why is it that I never get called by a journalist?

I get constantly called and asked to explain why Islam oppresses women.

I have never yet been asked.

Why is it that Islam has produced seven women prime ministers or heads of state and Europe

only two or three or whatever it is?

This is Speaking of Faith, stay with us.

This free podcast of Speaking of Faith is provided by American public media.

Please support this valuable public radio service and contribute today.

Go to the station listings page at speakingoffaith.org to learn more about becoming a member

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I'm Krista Tippett.

Is Western concern about women and Islam really a concern for the well-being of women?

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