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>>> ADMIN-EO 09/09/05 15:07 >>>
Hi Jannine,
I was interested to establish as near a definitive answer as I could on
this
matter because although it was your situation it is perfectly feasible
for
us to experience something similar in the future.
I posed the question to a highly respected Islamic scholar via
SunniPath;
this is an online source of Islamic learning. After some reflection I
have
received the following answer.
With regard to travelling to and from the residential centre:
Major contemporary Islamic scholars say that it is permitted for women
to
travel on condition that the journey be safe. Practically, most
professional
Muslim women whose work entails travel follow this position.
There are others who don't accept this position and hold that it isn't
permitted to travel long distances without a male relative. But those
who
decide to follow such a position would do so out of their own moral
choice--it certainly isn't the "only right answer" on this question
within
mainstream traditional Islamic scholarship.
With regard to actual attendance at a mixed gender residential course:
According to the vast majority Islamic scholars, it is permitted for
Muslim
men and women to attend mixed programs of learning or training--or other
matters of obvious benefit or need--as long as proper decorum is
maintained.
Given that this is the general case with such programs, there isn't an
Islamic issue with this aspect. One should be aware, though, that some
Muslim participants may exhibit some reluctance when it comes to
participating in mixed work groups. This reluctance would be reduced if
a
certain degree of formality is maintained.
As for attending a residential program and staying there, this is
permitted
as long as it is safe and there are no untoward expectations (such as
requiring that all participants attend a dance or party where alcohol is
served)--and this applies to both males and females.
My conclusion is that the individual concerned in this query has little
or
no ground in terms of citing Islamic teachings as the reason for
non-attendance and it seems unfortunate that it is being used as a
prohibiting factor in this way. As with a number of issues of this type
it
highlights the knowledge and/or comfort gaps we have when trying to
legislate for all aspects of the diversity arena and shows that there is
often more support. This for me also shows how difficult it can be to
not
make adjustments when actually that is the fairest and most equitable
solution.
Vincent Cornelius
HR Training and Development Adviser
Portland Building 0.38
De Montfort University
The Gateway
Leicester
LE1 9RG
01162506435
#6698
Visit the HR T&D Intranet Site at:
http://snowball/sub_training_development/Default.htm
<http://snowball/sub_training_development/Default.htm>
-----Original Message-----
From: Williams, Jannine [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 18 August 2005 15:01
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Female Muslim students and field trips
Can anyone offer any advice: I have received a query from a female
Muslim
applicant who would like to query how we would respond to her none
attendance on a one week residential field trip on religious grounds -
that
is she is unable to spend a week with male students overnight (and
especially for trips of a week or longer).
Our view is that clearly segregated accommodation, sensitivity around
social
activities (especially those involving alcohol), catering for dietary
requirements, can all enable a female Muslim student to attend such a
trip
(which is compulsory and integral to the programme in the second year of
the
degree and the dissertation programme).
Any views or experiences on this topic?
Many thanks,
Jannine
Jannine Williams MCIPD
Diversity Manager
Durham University
Diversity Office
University Office
Room 136 The Cottages
Old Elvet
Durham
DH1 3HP
Telephone: 0191 334 6530
Email: [log in to unmask]
Website: <http://www.dur.ac.uk/diversity.equality/>
www.dur.ac.uk/diversity.equality
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