Foreword Salem Azzam
Preface Khurshid Ahmad
Chapter I Woman in Islam: B. Aisha Lemu

Fantasy and Escape
Spiritual Status of Woman
Intellectual Status
Relations Between the Sexes
Rights and Obligations
Marriage in Islam
Divorce
Right to Inheritance
Role as Mother
Sex and Society
Dress
Role Differentiation
Polygamy
Summing Up

Chapter II Family Life in Islam: Fatima Heeren

The Islamic Approach
Structure of Muslim Family
The Family as a Cradle for Human Society
The Education Process
Islamic Duties
Training for Life
II The Family as Guardian of Desires
Arranged Marriages
Polygamy
Divorce
Woman's Status
ll The Family and Character-Building
IV The Family as Refuge
Chapter III Discussion
Polyandry
Inheritance
Covering the Face
Dress

The West has known Islam for over thirteen centuries now,
but it has generally known it in antagonistic terms as an enemy
and as a threat. It is not surpri'sing therefore that our religion has

been portrayed as a hostile, tyrannical, violent and even idola-
trous religion and our culture has been painted in dark and

dismal colours. This state of affairs cannot be allowed to persist
and disfigure relations between Islam and the Western world.
With the advance of knowledge and a greater contact between
Europe and the Muslim world, intellectual, social, cultural and
political and economic, we hope the old attitudes will change,
giving place to better understanding and closer co-operation

based on loyalty to facts, honest appreciation of areas of agree-
ment and disagreement between us, and respect for differences.

where we may disagree.
The International Islamic Conference held in London from
3rd to 12th April, 1976, has no parallel in the history of Europe
for never before have so many distinguished Muslim scholars
and statesmen been brought together in one place in Europe to
explain before the world the teachings of Islam as Muslims
understand. them. A major aim of the Conference was the
development of a better understanding of Islam and Muslim
Culture in the West, with a view to improving relations between
Muslims and the followers of other faiths and ideologies.

 This book discusses the special place women have in the religion of Islam and seeks to address some of the many misconceptions and false propaganda published by those who are ignorant of this religion or harbor a malicious intent to purposely misrepresent this religion.