Dr Zuleyka Zevallos

Muslim scholars have been debating different Islamic practices for centuries; includes Muslim feminists who are diverse in their theories.

Idea that Islam is not "modern" is an extension of Orientalism (Edward Said) & is meant to specifically make Muslim women into The Other.

Muslim & non-Muslim writers alike show fundamentalist Islamic movements (plural) follow similar patterns as other religions incl in "West"

That is; Islamic fundamentalism movements (same as Christian fundamentalisms) are responses to *present-day* economic & social forces.

Ridiculous to say 1.6 billion people alive in 2017 are not "modern." "Modern" not synonymous with whatever White Christians from "West" say

Everyone should read Muslim women's writing to see breadth of knowledge & expressions of religiosity: from secular to reverts & beyond.

Next time you see "modern" next to "Muslim" go check Manuel Castells, Power of Identity; fundamentalisms are response to current-day context

Castells focuses on three identity types of social movements: legitimising, resistance and protest identities. Fundamentalisms are 2nd type

Religious fundamentalisms (along with other resistance) are an expression of "The exclusion of the excluders by the excluded." I.e. "MODERN"

Castells shows how one of the largest fundamentalist movements in world are Christians in the United States. So stop saying "modern" Islam

C'mon scientists- rejecting that Muslim women aren't fighting for human rights means you're not paying attention to history & current events

Also Muslim women are scientists, artists, organisers, businesswomen, mothers, childfree, & every other thing you can think of.

Stop thinking Muslim women are only one thing ("oppressed"); that's colonialism at work & makes it easier for you to dismiss their power.