Roles+of+Women

What factors determine the changing roles of women on the Middle East? [|Roles of Women article]

These are some factors that determine the changing roles of women in the Middle East. The women can keep their own last name after marriage. Quranic rights for women were not always followed, female relatives of the prophet Muhammad were particularly important in the early Muslim community because they knew his practice and teachings so well. Women can specify conditions in their marriage contracts. Whatever the cultural and economic background of a women, her own abilities and personality greatly determine what she can achieve in her society. The veil is often seen in the West as a symbol of Muslim women's subordinate position in society, but its meaning and use varies enormously in Muslim societies. Wealthier women historically have had more economic and educational opportunities by virtue of their class. Many nomadic women maintained their traditional freedom of movement and less restrictive dress codes even after conversion to Islam.