In the wake of these problems we should ask ourselves: what is going to be the future of humanity and how can we move towards peace and development?

Strategy for Coping with Global Challenges

It is time to analyze and examine our attitudes towards human beings,genders approach towards them and the foundation on which family lifeis built in the contemporary western society. At the same time, we should
study alternative models (foundations and structure) in other cultural traditions with an open mind. This analysis can identify the nature of the 2 crisis confronting us and will also suggest some of the alternate possibilities that are still open.

Analyzing the Western Approach

As the west defines itself a post-faith civilization, a departure from Christian doctrine, denying the sovereignty of God and vicegerency of mankind, therefore it believes in absolute freedom of human beings.Furthermore, its secular approach towards life rules out, rather condemns any role of religion or religious values in worldly matters. Depending on empirical scientific philosophy of life every thing is tested and judged on material or profit and loss basis

Influenced by Darwinian and Hegelian theories of existence and development for survival of the fittest, an on-going struggle of wresting rights is expected and appreciated at all levels of the society. Humanity is thus divided into conflicting groups fighting with each other to survive. In resolving these conflicts an impersonalized, generalized, institutionalized and collective approach is adopted. Intellectuals of the west divide human society into sharp exclusive categories in an attempt to understand and analyze problems, and devise policies and plans. Constitutional provisions are ensured, laws are promulgated, conventions and
declarations are signed, international covenants are imposed but the micro level and individual specific approach of developing human beings into respectable, responsible, tolerant and just personalities is more or less missing in the current academic discourse.

Western gender approach, particularly that of feminists is not holistic to women’s problems and family solutions. Instead, it is individualistic and fragmentary, discussing women issues in isolation or rather in confrontation with their male counter parts. Furthermore economic and
social dependence is considered to be the cause of all gender based problems hence economic empowerment and political leadership of women have been emphasized as basic prerequisites for the equality and  development of women. Considering traditional family to be the cause of her exploitation, in an effort to eliminate all sorts of discriminations against women and stereo typed roles, motherhood and domestic
responsibilities are relegated to a low priority and relatively undesirable. In a western capitalistic or socialistic economic model, women are expected to play an active and economically productive role. This is based on the premise that major part of available male labor is already utilized and a quantitative increase due to participation of women would accelerate economic development and production.

Alternate Approach

Globalization as a positive concept should mean that all over the globe there should be respect for human beings, human dignity and human family. Mankind shall have to maintain some global ethical and moral
principles applicable to all of its members. These should include sound universal values as justice, truthfulness, modesty, equality, tolerance,respect for diversity, empathy and love for all humanity.

Supremacy and imposition of specific cultural values, traditions and a particular life style over rest of the world can never be welcomed nor can it bring harmony and peace amongst nations and societies

Establishing Universal Value System

Agreeing to the establishment of global human values for healthy progressive social development across the globe, raises the question as to who will set forth these values? The answer is that the Creator of this world is the only one who could establish global and universal principles and values and so has He done.

Divine guidance and values before and after Islam have always been universal in their origin and orientation. If God is the sole creator of the universe then His status should be manifested in His sovereignty over the world. He has revealed His will through His prophets, the right path for the guidance of the mankind. All prophets from Adam, Noha, and Abraham to Moses, Jesus, and Mohammad (peace be upon them) taught the same message of acceptance of God’s sovereignty and submission.They invited men and women to a life committed to virtue, purity, justice and peace, and to act according to the revealed guidance. Prophet Mohammad (SAW) was raised at the end of time in order to restate the original message, to present it in its perfect form. It is a proven fact that amongst all form of Divine guidance, Islam is better preserved. That is why no significant transformation took place in world religions after
Prophet Mohammad’s (SAW) demise.

Thus in order to make globalization more meaningful and coherent we
should try to bring consensus no same dabisc universial values provided by civine guidance.

Universalism and Humanism

The message of Islam is for the entire human race as God in Islam is the God of the entire Universe and the prophet is a Messenger for the whole of mankind declared as family of God.

Equality of all human beings is proved by having the same origin from Adam. Addressing to the conscience of humanity Islam negated all false barriers of wealth, family origin, color, creed, race, and language, which existed earlier and persist even today in the so called enlightened age. It gave the idea of the entire humanity being one family of God and brother to each other.

Adopting his freed slave as his son and marrying among the Jews, the Christians and the non Arabs of different tribes Mohammad (SAW) put an end to racial, religious or national prejudice once for all.

Declaring justice and brotherhood for the entire humanity Islam enjoined respect for life, property and honor of all human beings, transgression of which was declared a serious crime.

Unity of Matter and Spirit

The world has suffered on account of one-sidedness of religions or ideologies. Looking upon the world as an illusion, a deception and a trap,emphasis was laid on the spiritual side of life ignoring its material and mundane aspects. Materialistic ideologies on the other hand, totally ignored the spiritual and moral aspects of life dismissing it as fictitious and imaginary. Both these attitudes have robbed mankind of peace,contentment and tranquility.

Islam enjoins upon man to reform his mundane life both individual and collective and to purify his soul, thereby establishing equilibrium between the material and the spiritual.

Balance Between Individualism and Collectivism

Islam establishes a balance between individualism and collectivism.Guaranteeing the fundamental rights of an individual, it believes in the development of an individual’s personality and holds him responsible and
accountable to God. At the same time it awakens a sense of social responsibility in man, organizing human beings into society. It enjoins upon the individual to contribute in accordance with God’s guidance in
all fields of human endeavor: social, cultural, economic, legal, political, national and international.

5 As pointed out earlier instead of adopting solely an institutionalized andcollective approach to all the problems, the key to address human suffering is to develop an individual to his/her full potential, to improve
his/her health, safety, self respect and ensure the provision of his/her rights while preparing him/her to fulfill his/her responsibilities as member of human society.

Talking about individuals, it is important to discuss the status, inter relationship and desired role of both genders as they form the core unit of the family in every society.

Status and Role of Men and Women

Firm faith in the unity of God constitutes the ideological foundation of Islam, and the concept of man’s vicegerency provides the operational framework for the Islamic scheme of life. Man’s life on this earth is
deliberate, purposeful, in the nature of trial, time bound, followed by an eternal life to be rewarded based on his performance in this life.

In this life-long trial, men and women are equal participants. The role and status of vicegerency is conferred upon and shared by man and woman alike. This principle lays the foundation of their essential equality as human beings, as vicegerents of God on this earth, irrespective of their varied roles in society.

Man and woman are made from the same substance, in the best of forms,in a state of purity and innocence, leading to success or failure depending on their belief and behavior. Man has been given freedom of choice. Being free to accept or deny the reality, he is responsible for his actions but is not to be deprived of this freedom, even if he makes mistakes or abuses his freedom. To safeguard man against the dangers of misuse of freedom, Divine Guidance has been provided. The trial of Adam and Eve,demonstrates man’s need for Divine Guidance.

Status and Rights of Women, Past and Present

Before the advent of Islam the condition of women was highly miserable throughout the world. Declared as impure, source of evil, disruption and humiliation, cause of eternal sin and door to hell, women were denied any legal rights, share in the property or inheritance. Treated as salable commodities, buried or burnt alive, they were not even regarded as human beings having souls sometimes. These were the conditions in
Great civilizations of Greeks, Romans, Chinese, Indians, Pagan Arabs,and even in the Western civilization as late as 17th century.

Seventy years after the Independence war of America, the unfairtreatment of women was a norm in the new idealistic democracy, as stated in the declaration of sentiments at Seneca Falls convention, near New York, in 1848, “that women have no right to vote; married women are legally dead in the eyes of the law with no property rights, divorce and child custody laws favoring men, men’s legal power over women to the extent of ability to beat them or imprison them; women are denied college or university education; women are not allowed to enter into profession of medicine or law; they are denied any participation in church
affairs; they have to submit to the laws with no voice in their formation, most occupations are closed for women and they are paid less when work. The fact is that women are robbed of their self confidence and self
respect and are made totally dependant on men.

The declaration of sentiments spelled out status quo for European American women in 1848, while it was even worse for enslaved Black women.

Emancipation of Women by Islam

The notion of original sin, the view that it was the woman who led man (Eve leading Adam) to sin and disobedience had a deep effect on undermining women’s status, historically. Islam absolved women of this responsibility by proclaiming in Quran, that it was Adam who forgot his covenant with God, (Taha 20: 115) and that the Satan made both of them slip there from. (Baqara 2: 36).

Islam reinforced her womanhood by providing her respect as daughter,sister, wife and mother. The burial ground of thousands of live girls turned into a platform of women’s liberation. Through the darkness of woman’s suffering came the voice of Mohammad (SAW), “women are the twin halves of men”. “The most valuable thing in the world is a virtuous wife”. “The best of you is the one (he) who behaves best with his family”. “Listen! Treat women very well”. “Fear your God in respect of women”. Woman, termed as “fragile crystal” by Mohammad (SAW)was raised to heights unparalleled, when he proclaimed that the heaven lay beneath a mother’s feet, and that a mother’s right over her children was three times more than that of a father.

With exalted womanhood she realized and utilized her full rights and became the cherished pride of the human race. In this pursuit, all the social, economic and political rights were conferred to her, enshrined in Quran and Hadith (Prophets Teachings). With the basic fundamental right to life, equal educational opportunities and upbringing with male child,she is exempted from her own economic liabilities for whole of her life.While till 18th century, in other parts of the world she could not inherit or own her property, in 7th century under Islam she was given the right to   inherit from close kins, with full possessional and operational rights over her property being single, married, widowed or divorced. With the right to enter into any legal profession or business she is made sovereign as well as responsible of her family, empowered with full control over her home and children. Her consent in marriage is prescribed as one of the basic prerequisite for its validity, while in case of failure of marriage she can use her right for the dissolution of marriage. Even after separation from her husband she is not left alone as a single mother to support her children, instead is liable to have all the financial support for the children from her ex- husband.

The plight of women in Islam can be judged by the suffrage right being granted to her in 7th century for which the western women had to struggle for more than 70 years in 19th century. Endowed with full freedom of expression, she could hold a public or political office. Being a woman,did not denied her the right to impart worldly or religious education, even to great companions of the Prophet Mohammad (SAW). Regarding her religious rights she is free to perform all obligatory acts of worship so much so that even the Christian or Jew wife of Muslim finds herself free to practice her religion in full capacity.

Gender Equality / Gender Approach in Islam

OOne of the major concerns of today's women rights efforts is striving for gender equality, being the focal point of the Feminist movements all school of thoughts; Radical, Liberal, Marxists or Socialists and also under the UN charter of women rights, CEDAW (Convention on Elimination of all forms of Discriminations Against Women).

The position of women under Islam has been the subject of repeated controversy with the perceived misconception of it enforcing gender inequality.On the contrary, the equality, freedom and dignity that Islam offers to women remain unparalleled. Islam proclaims woman not only equal to man but in some respects gives her more importance than man,based on the notion of ethical vs unethical and good vs bad. but its gender role differentiation is misunderstood as gender discrimination.

As a general principle in Islam, the man and woman are equal in their origin, created from the same soul, both making up the human race together, as equal partners in building up community life and advance of civilization. Both have been endowed with hearts, brains and reasoning powers, both stand in need of physical and intellectual education and training. Both enjoy the basic fundamental rights on equal grounds. Both are commanded by God to follow the prescribed deeds, are accountable before God and are promised similar rewards for their deeds. In effect the superiority of one over the other is based on performance in the field of knowledge and actions based on the notion of ethical vs. unethical and good vs. bad

In Islamic framework, instead of proving in the capacity of males for securing her rights and sound status, a woman is free to develop her full potential and secure her equitable and just share in all spheres of life along with acknowledgment of her womanhood and motherhood.

Status of Women in Present Timesmes

In western civilization women have achived the present state of social,economic legal and political rights after seven geneations of women's strenuous effort in the most democretic ways. To the feminist's credit and several milestone triumphs. Overall, securing many social rights and some what equal status to that of men, an increasing number of women have successfully ventured into traditionally male dominated occupations.

Our concern today is the changing trends in women’s rights movement under the umbrella of UNCSW (United Nations commission on status of women), and its implementation in countries signatory to International charters for women rights. Starting with struggle for women’s legal,social and economic rights in the early 19th century, the “freedom and liberty” of women itself became the focus, under second wave of Feminist Movement. Equality of both genders in the society and elimination of role stereo types was set forth as a target. After landmark suffrage movement, claim for reproductive rights became the focus until fourth UN world conference in Beijing, in 1995, rights for prostitution as sex workers and rights for abortion, nudity and homosexuality were demanded in the garb of women rights.

Let us weigh what is the cost paid by women and the society as a whole in this pursuit? Women are shouldering dual responsibilities. In fact a large number of women are engaged in low paid jobs. Exploitation of women in media and advertisements marring her sanctity has become a norm. The bitter results of absolute freedom and changing cultural norms are manifested in broken families, disintegration of marriage and family institution, teen age and single mothers, illegitimate children, increased juvenile delinquency, homosexuality and Aids.

Role of Family in Human Development and Social Integration

The profound importance of the natural family transcends religious and cultural boundaries. Family as a divine institution and the firm foundation has an effective role in the biological and cultural survival of societies and nations. Family being the outstanding example of primary group is perhaps the ultimate in face-to-face intimacy and meaningfulness. It is primary in its early effect on the individual, in its simplicity of structure,and in its importance as affecting personality, yet it is regarded as a miniature society in which a wide range of human motives and social processes are to be found.

There is also a cultural aspect to the continuity provided by family relationships. It has always been the preserver of our civilizations and cultures. Over the passage of time, what has been handed down from one family to another, constitutes the national inheritance of a nation in which the young have assumed the task of retaining their culture and civilization. Central Asian societies are exemplary in this aspect.

Family as an instrument of continuity prepares the succeeding generations to serve human civilization and to discharge its social obligations with devotion, sincerity and enthusiasm. In this respect, the family can be truly called the source of progress, development, prosperity and strength of human civilization. As micro unit of society, stable families lead to the emergence and creation of stable and responsible societies and strong and powerful nations.

The family strengthens when Man and Woman bounded in a life long covenant of marriage strive together for purposes of continuation of human race, rearing of children, regulation of sexuality, provision of mutual protection and support, creation of an altruistic domestic economy, and maintenance of bonds between the generations.

Islam treats marriage as an everlasting institution with specific complementary rights and duties assigned to each partner for its smooth functioning. It introduces checks and balances to protect and secure the rights of all stakeholders in this matter, the husband, the wife, the children, and society at large. It prohibits all forms of extramarital relations, both before and after marriage, treating them as a transgression. Thus Islam, with its provisions for establishing and maintaining the integrity of the family, is diametrically opposed to the viewpoint that stands for sexual laxity in the garb of “freedom of choice".

It is thus quite evident that the changing western model of family with loose marriage bondages, abolition of traditional family roles, and making society responsible for child rearing will not lead to development of societies. An earlier experience of rearing children in kibbutz, collectivities in Soviet Union and Israel, is also losing out to social forms in which the family is both stronger and more closely knit.

Restoration of proper status of the family is therefore, the key element in establishing human and society’s happiness, peace and development.

Conclusion

We realize and accept that presently Muslim countries do not present an ideal situation which has somewhat socio cultural and political dynamics,quite outside the realm of the revealed religion. Still the family breakup,divorce rate, child abuse, sexual harassment, Aid victims and suicide rate is minimal in many Muslim communities.

It is believed that for reaching the targets of human peace and development, the road is still long, but the road map has been given and tried earlier successfully. The striving must continue to bring to fuller reality the correct place and mode of behavior for men and women in the society, as originally meant by the Creator of the universe.

In the end, as a member of human and women fraternity, we call upon the women of the world from this international forum to recognize their real worth inherent in their womanhood, and not in the vain wish of copying men and becoming masculine. For in this race they could never succeed, rather will only loose their god-given nature of womanhood wherein lies their real greatness.

At the same time we urge Muslim women to discover their real identity and status given to them by Islam, and try to play their role effectively in families and society along with achieving their rights in Islamic perspective.