Project Literacy
Culture
Presented by
Project Literacy
The Artistic Education of Ms. Marvel’s
“Mighty Muslim” Co-Creator
April
4, 2015
Ms. Marvel No. 2 by variant cover artist Jorge Molina
It’s undeniable that the majority of comic books
are made by and for men. According to comics historian
and researcher Tim Hanley—who regularly “gendercrunches” the
industry’s demographics—male comics creators outnumbered
female nine-to-one as recently as December of 2014. And last June,
Hanley found that 79 percent of comic editors, inkers, pencillers,
and cover artists were white, as well.
So to call Sana Amanat an outlier is a bit of an
understatement. Sana, a Pakistani-American Muslim woman, often credits the X-Men with first
inviting her into the world of comics. She identified with the series’ misfits
and their experiences with discrimination. Her brother Irfan is the one who
introduced her, fostering in her one of the most important requirements for a
budding comics editor: Imagination. “He very much instilled in me the
possibility of the fantastic," she says.
Sana
Amanat
Of course, making it in the comics industry takes a
lot more than fandom and an active mind, requiring one to acquire an unusual,
highly technical hybrid of skills, which Sana says she never would have honed
without modeling and support from inspiring leaders in her life. Though when
she first started out, she was able to pick up a few freelance gigs, it wasn’t
until she landed a job at the now-defunct indie publisher called Virgin Comics.
Once there, Sana forged what turned out to be
perhaps the strongest mentor relationship of her career with MacKenzie
Cadenhead. Both women eventually ended up editing together at
Marvel, and it was MacKenzie, Sana says, who helped her hone the talents she
would need to one day co-create her most famous character, Kamala Khan.
Otherwise known as Ms. Marvel, Kamala—deemed a “mighty Muslim” by
The New York Times—is the superhero world’s first-ever Muslim
Pakistani-American teenager, hailing (as Sana does) from New Jersey. It didn’t
take long for the character to strike a chord, sky-rocketing to the No. 1 slot
on Marvel’s digital sales chart soon after its release just over a year ago;
the first issue has since gone into its seventh reprinting. And just last week,
Marvel announced that Kamala would
join the newest iteration of the Avengers next fall.
Though it would be a decade before Sana had
developed the internals she’d need to come up with such a fresh and relatable
character, MacKenzie remembers she immediately noticed Sana’s natural talent.
Still, MacKenzie says Sana had some work to do before she could master her
craft: “Comic book editing is a field you apprentice in. You don't really go to
school for it.” So her approach with Sana was to start—as one must do with
everything from learning how to read and write to driving a car or a new
computer program—with the basics.
Or, as MacKenzie calls it, “the vocabulary for
visual storytelling.”
Sana agrees that she had to be actively taught “the
fundamentals of crafting a story in this type of medium.” Perhaps due to her
childhood obsession with comics, Sana says she “responded to it immediately.
There was something natural in the way comic book stories are told that [she]
connected with." And once she grasped the form’s vocabulary, MacKenzie
took Sana through the process of merging the written with the visual and then
got “out of her way.”
Ms. Marvel No. 7 by cover artists Jamie McKelvie and Matt
Wilson
Sana is grateful that she found a friend and a
mentor in MacKenzie—someone who was willing to put in the time to show her the
nuts and bolts of her craft. But the most important insight she gleaned from
this mentorship was, as she puts it, realizing that there are "limitless
ways in which to relay a story.” But it’s important to harness all those
possibilities a singular vision. And often, that vision is a team effort
between an editor, writer, and visual artist.
And yes, clearly Ms. Marvel resembles Sana in
infinite ways. But even a near-autobiographical character was the product of
one of those team efforts, drawn from brainstorming sessions with author G.
Willow Wilson and then Marvel editor, now Vice President, Steve Wacker. Sana
credits Steve with encouraging her chase after a career she "couldn't have
imagined on her own," taking a chance on a young artist and supporting her
as she developed her unique voice.
However, Sana is quick to point out that
"developing your own editorial voice can take some time." She learned
to trust her "unique sensibility" after years of patiently observing
editors like MacKenzie and Steve. Sana has concluded that "skill set and
style are two different things... In order for you to become a good editor who
makes distinct books, you need to have both."
MacKenzie says that it wasn’t until Sana had
mastered the vocabulary of comic book art as well as confidence in her own
voice that she was able to recognize that her own story could be part of the
Marvel universe. Sana says that in her work today as an editor, she attempts to
bring out that unique voice in the artists and writers with whom she creates
each issue, mirroring what MacKenzie did for her at the beginning of her
career.
She "was the one person who gave me the
confidence and encouragement to keep me going,” says Sana, “especially when
others doubted me and when I doubted myself." MacKenzie says being a good
mentor means to go beyond asking yourself, “Do you have the skills to guide
someone [with natural talent]? It is also dependent on the other person being
open [to you.]” MacKenzie describes Sana as being open to any constructive
criticism and willing to use it to continuously learn and grow as an editor,
writer, and artist—something that’s important for anyone learning a new
skill.
Now that Marvel, one of the two largest forces in
comics (the other being, of course, DC), has introduced a young, female,
immigrant, Pakistani-American as the star of her own series, the future for the
industry feels as limitless as Ms. Marvel’s powers. The character has exposed
voracious young comic book readers—many of whom might struggle with their
identities just as Sana once did—to a whole new kind of hero. And surely some
will be inspired to become comics creators themselves, empowered by Sana’s revolutionary career to take the comics industry
to soaring new heights of inclusivity and innovative storytelling.
We think words mean power, and so should you. Through
Project Literacy,
GOOD and Pearson are building partnerships for a more literate
future. Follow the #ProjectLiteracy hashtag and
visit good.is or projectliteracy.com to
tell us your stories, help us ask the right questions, and take action in your
community.
---
One year later, Ms. Marvel’s influence is felt far beyond the comics page
Nothing can stop Kamala Khan in her fight against bigotry
Each week, Big Issues focuses
on a newly released comic book of significance. This week, it’s Ms. Marvel #11.
Written by G. Willow Wilson (Mystic, X-Men) with art by Adrian
Alphona (Runaways, Uncanny X-Force) and colorist Ian Herring (Amazing
Spider-Man: Learning To Crawl, Scribblenauts Unmasked), this issue
positions Kamala Khan as the leading superhero voice of a new generation.
(Note: This review reveals major plot points.)
It’s
a been a year since Kamala “Ms. Marvel” Khan’s ongoing series debuted at Marvel
Comics, and it’s safe to say that she’s made a huge impact on the current
landscape of superhero comics. There’s been a considerable rise in superhero
titles targeted to younger female readers—from DC’s Batgirl, Gotham
Academy, and Supergirl to Marvel’s The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl and
the upcoming Spider-Gwen—and while Kamala can’t take all the credit,
she’s certainly been leading the charge. Her introduction was heralded by lots
of hype thanks to her status as the first Muslim character to headline a Marvel
series, but Ms. Marvel has become one of the industry’s best titles
because it’s an outstanding superhero comic created with confidence,
intelligence, and a lot of style.
Marvel
has talked the talk—and the publisher has rallied behind Kamala with force in
terms of publicity—but it’s up to the book’s creative team to walk the walk,
which has become more of a victorious strut at this point. The title has only
gotten better as Kamala settles on a mission statement for herself, ultimately
realizing in this current arc that the younger generation needs her as a
representative and inspirational figure. Writer G. Willow Wilson has expertly
plotted the journey to that discovery, gracefully easing new readers into the
Marvel Universe by establishing the reality of Kamala’s home setting before
diving into the more fantastic elements.
The
first arc introduced the key relationships in Kamala’s life and the domestic
situation that interferes with her new vigilante activity—basic first steps for
any new superhero title, but were especially captivating because of Kamala’s
experience as a Muslim Pakistani-American female. After that initial storyline
ended, Ms. Marvel’s expanded, first with a two-parter guest starring
Wolverine (featuring delightful manga-inspired artwork by Jake Wyatt), and
currently with an arc that has Kamala learning about her Inhuman lineage and
teaming up with a giant teleporting bulldog. She’s beginning to take her place
in the larger Marvel Universe, and has guest starred in top-selling books like Amazing
Spider-Man and S.H.I.E.L.D. to raise her profile across Marvel’s
line.
Kamala’s
home life isn’t like many other superheroes, and not just because of her race
and religion. There are few ongoing comics that directly address the teenage
girl experience, and while there are some notable exceptions in Boom’s Lumberjanes,
Oni’s Princess Ugg, and the aforementioned Gotham Academy, these
titles are greatly outnumbered by books dedicated to older male characters.
It’s rare enough to get a superhero story headlined by a teenage girl, but Ms.
Marvel stands out even more because of its focus on religion. And it’s not
because Kamala is Muslim; it’s because her connection to religion is a major
part of her narrative at all. Islam doesn’t define her, but it greatly
influences her behavior and decision-making, adding tension to her life that
doesn’t come from a more traditional source like a romantic interest or masked
supervillain. The first arc placed greater emphasis on Kamala’s faith than
current issues, but it’s still a major element in this book that will surely
introduce more stress (and salvation) down the line.
That’s
the other thing about how Wilson handles religion in this book: It can be
problematic when it gets in the way of Kamala’s vigilante lifestyle, but it can
also be immensely helpful, offering her guidance and inspiration when she’s
unsure of herself. Kamala’s meeting with Sheikh Abdullah in issue #6 is a sterling
example of the latter; she expects to be berated for disobeying her parents,
but the conversation moves in a much different, more empowering direction. “If
you insist on pursuing this thing you will not tell me about,” Sheikh Abdullah
says, “do it with the qualities befitting an upright young woman: Courage,
strength, honesty, compassion, and self-respect.” It’s a message that directly
challenges the restrictive, oppressive image of Islam that is depicted in the
media, emphasizing how Kamala’s religion has a positive impact on her life.
Religion
isn’t a hot topic in superhero comics, but maybe it should be. Diversifying the
genre doesn’t just mean introducing characters of different races and creeds,
it means diversifying the content of the narratives and finding new ideas to
explore. The broad strokes of Kamala’s story are familiar to any superhero
comic reader—a seemingly ordinary person is granted extraordinary ability that
interferes with her former life and introduces a new set of responsibilities for
the future—but there’s a lot of flexibility in that formula for different types
of characters and circumstances. Being Muslim changes the story. Being the
child of immigrant parents from Pakistan changes the story. And most important
to this current arc, being a millennial changes the story.
This
week’s Ms. Marvel #11 concludes “Generation Why,” a storyline that has
directly tackled the pressures felt by young people fighting for legitimacy in
a world that thinks they are overly privileged parasites. Preying on feelings
of helplessness and insecurity in the teen community, the villainous Inventor
has been powering his machines with teen volunteers, and Kamala has stepped in
to put an end to his plot and help his victims discover their strength as
individuals and as a group. The Inventor may have given up on the next
generation, but Kamala hasn’t, and she uses her position as a superhero to
inspire young people to work together to create a better future.
Kamala’s
mission is especially important in a digital age where hate runs rampant,
fueled by the privilege of anonymity. It’s easy to attack others for their
differences without the fear of punishment, and many young people have used
technology to become more insular and intolerant of differences. And yet, millennials
are connected in ways that past generations never have been. They are growing
up with more awareness of what is happening in other parts of the world, and
using technology to spread the word and offer support. There’s incredible
potential in the next generation, and Kamala is here to make sure every young
reader knows that. But it’s not going to be realized if each person exists in a
disconnected little bubble. After stopping the Inventor, Kamala preaches her
philosophy and tells her fellow teens that they need to pay attention to what’s
happening in real life and stick together or they’ll never stop being used as
pawns, words that readers need to hear as much as the characters.
This
creative team has done phenomenal work building a superhero comic in the
classic Marvel mode, but offers a more progressive point of view in the scripts
and artwork. Adrian Alphona is an essential part of this book’s success,
pairing Wilson’s words with highly expressive characters and meticulously
detailed environments that add loads of charm to the cast and setting. Alphona
devotes a lot of attention to fashion and interior design to give every person
and place its own distinct personality, and it’s worth lingering on each panel
to savor the specificity of Alphona’s choices for clothing and décor. This
current storyline has taken Kamala from the gritty streets of Jersey City to
the fantasy sci-fi metropolis of Attilan, and the change in setting has given
Alphona even more opportunities to wow readers with his exquisite design skills
and intricate linework.
Alphona
also provides a steady supply of whimsy in his art, keeping the tone light and
fun with his cartoonishly exaggerated character expressions and goofy visual
gags. The background text in his environments tends to be very silly, and he’s
not afraid to embrace absurd flourishes if they can brighten up the story. One
of the artistic high points of this issue is a splash page showing Kamala as
she shapeshifts her way through the machinery of a giant killer robot, but
she’s not alone between the gears. A group of mice have made their home inside
the robot, and are living comfortably on the garbage that finds its way inside
the structure. The rodents play no larger part in the story and really just
exist to add even more visual stimuli to a page that already packs a wallop.
These details aren’t necessary, but they make the book richer and add an
element of quirkiness to the visuals. (Speaking of quirk, how great is that
cover by Kris Anka showing Kamala enjoying a rooftop cupcake?)
Ian
Herring is one of the many exceptional colorists at Marvel who is actively
thinking about how to contribute to overall storytelling rather than just
filling the space between the lines. In this issue, he uses warm colors to
accentuate action beats in an environment dominated by cooler shades, and he
goes out of his way to make sure the coloring highlights the intricacy of
Alphona’s linework rather than detracting from it. In the aforementioned splash
page inside the robot, Herring colors Alphona’s lines with a stark neon blue
that simultaneously draws attention to the complex machinery while making
Kamala the focal point because she’s more fully rendered than the surrounding
environment. And when the Inventor sets off an electromagnetic pulse that
interferes with Kamala’s powers, Herring colors the heroine with an fiery
orange that creates strong visual tension with those neon blue lines.
Kamala
is quickly evolving into a remarkable hero in the pages of Ms. Marvel,
but a major moment in Kamala’s growth as a pop culture figure came at the end
of last month, when images
of the new Ms. Marvel were plastered on top of anti-Islam advertisements running
on San Francisco buses. Yes, it’s vandalism and that’s against the law, but
operating outside the law to fight for the greater good is a major part of the
whole superhero shtick, and fighting against hatred, even hatred protected by
free speech, is fighting for the greater good. Wilson applauded the action on Twitter
and praised the “amazing” individual responsible, but it’s the work she’s done
with her collaborators on Ms. Marvel that has given Kamala Khan the
power to influence the world outside the page.
Filed Under: Books,
Marvel Comics, Ms.
Marvel, Ian Herring, Adrian Alphona, G. Willow Wilson, Kamala
Khan
---
Coins minted in Shagrat al-Durr's name
Commentary
Biography List
| Empress Wu Zetian | Queen Sondok | Murasaki Shikibu |
| The Trung Sisters | Sorghaghtani Beki | Mirabai | Nur Jahan |
Three Transforming Poets - Iran
| Eleanor of Aquitaine | Shagrat al-Durr | Melisende | Anna Comnena |
| Great Women Rulers | More Women Rulers |
| Notable Women (1000 C.E.) | Empress Adelaide |
| Home Page | Lessons | Thematic Units | Biographies | Essays |
Reviews: | Curriculum | Books | Historical Mysteries |
| Q & A | ONLINE STORE | PDF FILE STORE
| About Us |
http://www.womeninworldhistory.com/heroine1.html
Shagrat al-DurrSultan of Eqypt (died, 1259) |
©1996-2013
womeninworldhistory.com  |
Women who were "powers behind the throne" are always
fascinating. But those who move out of the shadows to sit on the throne
itself can be even more so. Shagrat al-Durr took upon herself the title
of Sultan and regrouped the Egyptian army to take Damietta back from the
Frankish Crusaders.
Why She Is An Historic Hero?
- Her life links the last victories of the Crusaders to the transition to a new period and dynasty, the Mamluks (the powerful army made up of Turkish slaves and who eventually supplanted their masters). Want to find out why slaves could become so powerful?
- During this new period, that of the Mamluks, Cairo was to become the center of power. The Mamluks kept their power for more than two centuries in Egypt and Syria.
- It was the Egyptian Mamluk army who were the only institution that eventually stopped the Mongol drive, in their ambitions to conquer the entire Middle East.
- Shagrat al-Durr is one of the very few women in Islamic history to ascend to the throne. Her melodramatic life illustrates the fact that an ambitious woman had to depend on the good will of men to be able to lead.
- Shagrat's dismissal as Sultan by the Caliph of Baghdad reaffirmed the Islamic concept that the spiritual head and political head of a country must be one, and that such a position cannot properly belong to a woman.
Her Story
The time is 1250 A.D. The sultan of Egypt, Salih Ayyub has
just died at the moment when the crusading armies of France are
threatening Egypt. Salih Ayyub's wife is Shagrat al-Durr, who had been a
slave of Turkoman origin.
In 1249, the French army under Louis IX, King of France landed at Damietta, at the mouth of the Nile River. Shagrat, acting as Salih's regent while he was away in Damascus, organized the defense of the realm.
Soon after Salih Ayyub returns, he dies. Shagrat, conceals the fact of his death by saying he is "sick" and having a servant be seen taking food to his tent. She thus is able to continue to lead in his name.
Turan, his son and her stepson, appears and Shagrat hands the reins of power over to him, finally announcing her husband's death. Still, Shagrat retains control, and a crushing defeat is rendered on the Crusaders at Damietta. The leaders of the army don't respect Turan; they want Shagrat, seeing her as a Turk, like themselves. They plot against Turan and have him murdered. On May 2, 1250, they put Shagrat al-Durr on the throne, thus beginning the Mamluk dynasty.
As sultan, Shagrat al-Durr has coins struck in name, and she is mentioned in weekly prayers in mosques. These two acts only can be done for the person who carries the title of sultan.
Peace is made with the Franks. Louis IX is ransomed and allowed to return home.
Egypt at this time is under the authority of the Caliphate at Baghdad. Baghdad does not approve of Shagrat. She is a woman, and women must not hold the title of ruler. The Caliph of Baghdad sends a message to the Egyptian amirs: "Since no man among you is worthy of being Sultan, I will bring you one." Shagrat is deeply humiliated, but she steps down after being Egypt's sultan for only two months.
A successful Mamluk soldier, Aibak, is appointed in her place. Shagrat al-Durr's moment of power, however, is not over. Either for love or political ambition, she manages to seduce Aibak. He marries her to legitimize Mamluk rule. Reports tell of their great love for one another.
With her experience at administration and leadership, for seven years Shagrat rather than Aibak really rules. An historian who lived at the time comments: "She dominated him, and he had nothing to say." Shagrat continues to sign the sultan's decrees, has coins struck in both their names, and dares to be addressed as Sultana.
Shagrat al-Durr is a jealous woman, and one who does not want to share power. When she married Aibak, she had him divorce his wife, with whom he had a son. In 1257, Aibak proposes to take another wife. In Shagrat's eyes this act is unthinkable. In a fit of jealousy, she plots his murder and carries it out when he is having a bath after a game of polo.
In desperation, Shagrat al-Durr tries to conceal the crime. But her past deeds come back to haunt her in the person of Aibak's former wife and his son, who now seek revenge. The army divides over those continuing to support Shagrat and those opposing her. Rioting breaks out, and Shagrat is cornered. Spurred on by Aibak's former wife, Shagrat is beaten to death by the slaves of the harem with their wooden clogs. Her half-naked body is thrown into the moat of the citadel.
Eventually, Shagrat al-Durr's bones are taken and placed in the mosque known today as the mosque of Shagrat al-Durr.
In 1249, the French army under Louis IX, King of France landed at Damietta, at the mouth of the Nile River. Shagrat, acting as Salih's regent while he was away in Damascus, organized the defense of the realm.
Soon after Salih Ayyub returns, he dies. Shagrat, conceals the fact of his death by saying he is "sick" and having a servant be seen taking food to his tent. She thus is able to continue to lead in his name.
Turan, his son and her stepson, appears and Shagrat hands the reins of power over to him, finally announcing her husband's death. Still, Shagrat retains control, and a crushing defeat is rendered on the Crusaders at Damietta. The leaders of the army don't respect Turan; they want Shagrat, seeing her as a Turk, like themselves. They plot against Turan and have him murdered. On May 2, 1250, they put Shagrat al-Durr on the throne, thus beginning the Mamluk dynasty.
As sultan, Shagrat al-Durr has coins struck in name, and she is mentioned in weekly prayers in mosques. These two acts only can be done for the person who carries the title of sultan.
Peace is made with the Franks. Louis IX is ransomed and allowed to return home.
Egypt at this time is under the authority of the Caliphate at Baghdad. Baghdad does not approve of Shagrat. She is a woman, and women must not hold the title of ruler. The Caliph of Baghdad sends a message to the Egyptian amirs: "Since no man among you is worthy of being Sultan, I will bring you one." Shagrat is deeply humiliated, but she steps down after being Egypt's sultan for only two months.
A successful Mamluk soldier, Aibak, is appointed in her place. Shagrat al-Durr's moment of power, however, is not over. Either for love or political ambition, she manages to seduce Aibak. He marries her to legitimize Mamluk rule. Reports tell of their great love for one another.
With her experience at administration and leadership, for seven years Shagrat rather than Aibak really rules. An historian who lived at the time comments: "She dominated him, and he had nothing to say." Shagrat continues to sign the sultan's decrees, has coins struck in both their names, and dares to be addressed as Sultana.
Shagrat al-Durr is a jealous woman, and one who does not want to share power. When she married Aibak, she had him divorce his wife, with whom he had a son. In 1257, Aibak proposes to take another wife. In Shagrat's eyes this act is unthinkable. In a fit of jealousy, she plots his murder and carries it out when he is having a bath after a game of polo.
In desperation, Shagrat al-Durr tries to conceal the crime. But her past deeds come back to haunt her in the person of Aibak's former wife and his son, who now seek revenge. The army divides over those continuing to support Shagrat and those opposing her. Rioting breaks out, and Shagrat is cornered. Spurred on by Aibak's former wife, Shagrat is beaten to death by the slaves of the harem with their wooden clogs. Her half-naked body is thrown into the moat of the citadel.
Eventually, Shagrat al-Durr's bones are taken and placed in the mosque known today as the mosque of Shagrat al-Durr.
Coins minted in Shagrat al-Durr's name
References:
Fatima Mernissi, The Forgotten Queens of Islam, University of Minnesota Press, 1993
Charis Waddy, Women in Muslim History, Longman, 1980
Wiebke Walther, Woman in Islam, Abner Schram, Montclair, NJ, 1981
Commentary
Why could slaves become so powerful?
Within the Islamic world, an outstanding slave trained in the elite
army could be freed and integrated into the military caste within the
palace. In Egypt, the military officers were an elite caste. They were
seen as defenders of Islam. This was particularly true during the time
of the Crusades and threats of the invading Mongols.
Mamluks were slaves captured from the Asian steppes. In Islam, in principle it was forbidden to enslave another Moslem. Non Muslim boys, however, were taken, converted to Islam, and trained to serve in the military. For a young Turk from the steppes living in poverty, the chance to have a career in an elite army was a step up. Not all boys were accepted into the army. The criteria to be eligible for training was very high.
Mongol drive: Under Hulagu, the grandson of Genghis Khan, the Mongols stacked Baghdad in 1258. But Syria and Egypt were bravely defended by the Mamluks, and Hulagu's defeat by them in 1260 put an end to Mongol advance into Syria.
Salih Ayyub was a descendent of the Ayyub or Ayyubid dynasty, founded by the famous Salah-al Din.
Louis IX, King of France. (1226-1270). Louis's reign is considered the "golden age of medieval France." His mother was Blanche of Castile, a grand daughter of Eleanor of Acquitaine. She was another "power behind the throne" because she was regent while Louis was too young to rule. As regent, her use of power to maintain the throne against challengers was extraordinary. Like Shagrat al-Durr, her right to rule because she was a woman was challenged.
Louis went on his first crusade (1248) against Blanche's advice. During his absence, he entrusted the kingdom to his mother again. Again, through her political brilliance, Blanche preserved the throne and even extended it. As for Louis IX, the defeat of his army at Damietta and his capture proved that his mother's resistance to his crusade was right.
Mamluks were slaves captured from the Asian steppes. In Islam, in principle it was forbidden to enslave another Moslem. Non Muslim boys, however, were taken, converted to Islam, and trained to serve in the military. For a young Turk from the steppes living in poverty, the chance to have a career in an elite army was a step up. Not all boys were accepted into the army. The criteria to be eligible for training was very high.
Mongol drive: Under Hulagu, the grandson of Genghis Khan, the Mongols stacked Baghdad in 1258. But Syria and Egypt were bravely defended by the Mamluks, and Hulagu's defeat by them in 1260 put an end to Mongol advance into Syria.
Salih Ayyub was a descendent of the Ayyub or Ayyubid dynasty, founded by the famous Salah-al Din.
Louis IX, King of France. (1226-1270). Louis's reign is considered the "golden age of medieval France." His mother was Blanche of Castile, a grand daughter of Eleanor of Acquitaine. She was another "power behind the throne" because she was regent while Louis was too young to rule. As regent, her use of power to maintain the throne against challengers was extraordinary. Like Shagrat al-Durr, her right to rule because she was a woman was challenged.
Louis went on his first crusade (1248) against Blanche's advice. During his absence, he entrusted the kingdom to his mother again. Again, through her political brilliance, Blanche preserved the throne and even extended it. As for Louis IX, the defeat of his army at Damietta and his capture proved that his mother's resistance to his crusade was right.
Biography List
| Empress Wu Zetian | Queen Sondok | Murasaki Shikibu |
| The Trung Sisters | Sorghaghtani Beki | Mirabai | Nur Jahan |
Three Transforming Poets - Iran
| Eleanor of Aquitaine | Shagrat al-Durr | Melisende | Anna Comnena |
| Great Women Rulers | More Women Rulers |
| Notable Women (1000 C.E.) | Empress Adelaide |
| Home Page | Lessons | Thematic Units | Biographies | Essays |
Reviews: | Curriculum | Books | Historical Mysteries |
| Q & A | ONLINE STORE | PDF FILE STORE
| About Us |
http://www.womeninworldhistory.com/heroine1.html
----------------
Women in Islam
At a time when the rest of the world, from Greece and Rome to India and China, considered women as no better than children or even slaves, with no rights whatsoever, Islam acknowledged women's equality with men in a great many respects. The Quran states:
We might also mention that while many in the West criticize Islam with regard to the treatment of women, in fact a number of Muslim countries have had women rulers and presidents. To name a few: Turkey; Bangladesh and Pakistan.
With regard to education, both women and men have the same rights and obligations. This is clear in Prophet Muhammad's saying:
A woman is to be treated as God has endowed her, with rights, such as to be treated as an individual, with the right to own and dispose of her own property and earnings, enter into contracts, even after marriage. She has the right to be educated and to work outside the home if she so chooses. She has the right to inherit from her father, mother, and husband. A very interesting point to note is that in Islam, unlike any other religion, a woman can be an imam, a leader of communal prayer, for a group of women.
A Muslim woman also has obligations. All the laws and regulations pertaining to prayer, fasting, charity, pilgrimage, doing good deeds, etc., apply to women, albeit with minor differences having mainly to do with female physiology.
Before marriage, a woman has the right to choose her husband. Islamic law is very strict regarding the necessity of having the woman's consent for marriage. The groom gives a marriage dowry to the bride for her own personal use. She keeps her own family name, rather than taking her husband's. As a wife, a woman has the right to be supported by her husband even if she is already rich. She also has the right to seek divorce and custody of young children. She does not return the dowry, except in a few unusual situations.
Despite the fact that in many places and times Muslim communities have not always adhered to all or even many of the foregoing in practice, the ideal has been there for 1,400 years, while virtually all other major civilizations did not begin to address these issues or change their negative attitudes until the 19th and 20th centuries, and there are still many contemporary civilizations which have yet to do so.
http://www.islamswomen.com/articles/women_in_islam.phpAt a time when the rest of the world, from Greece and Rome to India and China, considered women as no better than children or even slaves, with no rights whatsoever, Islam acknowledged women's equality with men in a great many respects. The Quran states:
"And among His signs is this: that He created
mates for you from yourselves that you may find rest and peace of mind
in them, and He ordained between you love and mercy. Certainly, herein
indeed are signs for people who reflect." [Noble Quran 30:21]
Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
"The most perfect in faith amongst believers is he who is best in manners and kindest to his wife." [Abu Dawud]
Muslims believe that Adam and Eve were created from the same soul.
Both were equally guilty of their sin and fall from grace, and Allah
forgave both. Many women in Islam have had high status; consider the
fact that the first person to convert to Islam was Khadijah, the wife of
Muhammad, whom he both loved and respected. His favorite wife after
Khadijah's death, Ayshah, became renowned as a scholar and one of the
greatest sources of Hadith literature. Many of the female Companions
accomplished great deeds and achieved fame, and throughout Islamic
history there have been famous and influential scholars and jurists.We might also mention that while many in the West criticize Islam with regard to the treatment of women, in fact a number of Muslim countries have had women rulers and presidents. To name a few: Turkey; Bangladesh and Pakistan.
With regard to education, both women and men have the same rights and obligations. This is clear in Prophet Muhammad's saying:
"Seeking knowledge is mandatory for every believer." [Ibn Majah]
This implies men and women.A woman is to be treated as God has endowed her, with rights, such as to be treated as an individual, with the right to own and dispose of her own property and earnings, enter into contracts, even after marriage. She has the right to be educated and to work outside the home if she so chooses. She has the right to inherit from her father, mother, and husband. A very interesting point to note is that in Islam, unlike any other religion, a woman can be an imam, a leader of communal prayer, for a group of women.
A Muslim woman also has obligations. All the laws and regulations pertaining to prayer, fasting, charity, pilgrimage, doing good deeds, etc., apply to women, albeit with minor differences having mainly to do with female physiology.
Before marriage, a woman has the right to choose her husband. Islamic law is very strict regarding the necessity of having the woman's consent for marriage. The groom gives a marriage dowry to the bride for her own personal use. She keeps her own family name, rather than taking her husband's. As a wife, a woman has the right to be supported by her husband even if she is already rich. She also has the right to seek divorce and custody of young children. She does not return the dowry, except in a few unusual situations.
Despite the fact that in many places and times Muslim communities have not always adhered to all or even many of the foregoing in practice, the ideal has been there for 1,400 years, while virtually all other major civilizations did not begin to address these issues or change their negative attitudes until the 19th and 20th centuries, and there are still many contemporary civilizations which have yet to do so.
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Blogged: Wordpress blog by nova0000scotia-
CANADA- ONE BILLION RISING-
Catholic/Islam/Buddhism/Hinduism- all male dominated religions still dominating
in 2015 with going on 8 billion people which 64% are women 2da- why?
BLOGGED:
CANADA MILITARY NEWS: #1BRrising - NEDA- no more excuses or
abuses/IN CANADA OUR GENDER EQUALITY TOPS RELIGION BY LAW.... USA and UN both
refuse 2 proclaim women equal men- BUT CANADA DOES- GET USED 2 IT... or don't
come 2 Canada or leave... simple as that folks /HEADS UP- CANADA ELECTION THIS
YEAR- I sincerely believe in Canada women's rights and equality beats your
religious beliefs.... seriously.... and if any political party says differently
in Canada- tell voting women now... ONE BILLION RISING- NO MORE EXCUSES
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BLOGGED:
nova0000scotia
#1BRising – CANADA MILITARY
NEWS- Canada’s women equal men by law in Canada and that tops any Religion-
POLITICIANS WANTING WOMEN’S VOTE IN CANADA… u better make sure u stamp ur
approval or lose our vote 2015
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