Muslim Women Beyond the Stereotypes

This curriculum was designed to supplement content standards in social studies and world history as it relates to the study of Muslim women. It is composed of seven individual lesson plans, each one of which focuses on a different section of the digital presentation Muslim Women Beyond the Stereotypes. Every lesson includes detailed notes that describe each slide in the presentation. In addition to the notes, each lesson also features post-presentation analysis, comprehension and discussion questions. The curriculum also includes links to films or film clips on topics related to the presentation, accompanied by follow-up questions about each film. Each lesson concludes with a listing of additional resources and references, including articles, books, and websites. This introduction includes relevant curriculum standards and an outline of the seven lesson plans.

Download Introduction

This lesson looks at common stereotypes about Muslim women. From the general perception that Muslim women are oppressed to specific misperceptions around education, marital rights, and freedom, the stereotypes are many, diverse, and widely held. The lesson then looks at sources of these stereotypes, including the media, Hollywood, books, and the actions of Muslims themselves.

Download Lesson Plan

This lesson examines the role and status of Muslim women today, including major indicators such as education and work, comparing the status of Muslim women with women in other third-world nations or regions. While the role of Muslim women in some countries is minimized and women have limited rights, in other Muslim-majority countries, increasing numbers of women are participating and excelling in diverse fields and professions.

Download Lesson Plan
(registration required)

This lesson looks at Muslim women leaders and innovators, including heads of state, reformers, and athletes. Muslim women have served as heads of state in a number of countries, including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Turkey, and Indonesia and have gained recognition as reformers and human rights activists. American Muslim women have founded organizations and been appointed to governmental positions. There are a growing number of Muslim women athletes, many competing in hijab.

Download Lesson Plan
(registration required)

This lesson describes various rights of Muslim women described in the Qur’an and Hadith. These include the right to seek knowledge and gain an education, the right to work and keep her earnings, and the right to inherit. Marital rights include the right to choose her spouse, the right to keep her name and income, and the right to financial support in marriage. Mothers deserve the highest level of kindness and respect.

Download Lesson Plan
(registration required)

This lesson looks at the relationship between the genders as well as modest dress. While in most Muslim-populated countries women dress in a variety of ways, there are a few countries that require modest dress and in some countries hijab has been or is banned. Today many young Muslim women fuse their hijab with Western fashion sensibilities. The lesson concludes with a discussion about modest dress in other faiths.

Download Lesson Plan
(registration required)

This lesson looks at prominent women in the Qur’an and in Islamic history. The Qur’an mentions a number of women, including Eve, Abraham’s two wives Sarah and Hagar, the Virgin Mary, and the Queen of Sheba. Women played an important role in the formative years of Islam, as well as in later years. They included women scholars and benefactresses who built wells, schools, and mosques. There have also been a number of women rulers in Islamic history.

Download Lesson Plan
(registration required)

This lesson examines some of the issues that are often the sources of misconceptions. They include the topics of inheritance and witnessing as well as divorce and polygamy. It also looks at the issues of domestic violence, honor killings, and FGM, which are often linked with Islam, but actually antithetical to Islamic teachings. The lesson concludes with a look at organizations that are working to improve the status and rights of Muslim women.

Download Lesson Plan
(registration required)