Transcript slides

Amina Wadud (b. 1952)
Born Mary Teasley, daughter of a Methodist
minister, in Washington, DC. Converted
to Islam in 1970s
Distressed at treatment of women in Islam,
turned to Qur’an for solution
Amina Wadud (b. 1952)
Developed view that problem was use of the
Qur’an, not the Qur’an itself. Led to
Qur’an and Woman: Rereading the Sacred
Text from a Woman’s Perspective (1992)
August 1994 Asked to give khutba (sermon) at
Claremont Main Road Mosque, Cape
Town, South Africa
Amina Wadud (b. 1952)
March 18th 2005 Led mixed public prayer
service in Manhattan, New York.
Reactions ranged from praise to
condemnation and even death threats.
Muslims supporting both sides of debate
Teaches at Virginia Commonwealth
University
Usama ibn Ladin (Osama
bin Laden, 1957-2011)
Born in Riyadh into very wealthy family
friendly with Saudi royal family. Very
privileged upbringing
Usama ibn Ladin (Osama
bin Laden, 1957-2011)
At university met Islamist shaykh ‘Abd Allah
Azzam, who was major influence and
preached need for liberation of Islamic
world from foreign intervention and for
practice of strict form of Islam
Usama joined Afghan jihad against Soviets
after they invaded Afghanistan in 1979.
Some fighting, but mostly used vast
wealth to support mujahidin, with US aid
Usama ibn Ladin (Osama
bin Laden, 1957-2011)
Founded al-Qa‘ida (“the Base”) in 1988, initially
to aid Afghan cause. Later expanded
operations elsewhere.
In 1990 King Fahd of Saudi (r. 1982-2005)
asked Americans to post troops on Saudi
soil to protect from Iraq. Usama outraged
and started agitating against monarchy.
Disowned by family and expelled from
Saudi
Usama ibn Ladin (Osama
bin Laden, 1957-2011)
Orchestrated numerous terrorist attacks
against Americans and declared public
jihad in 1996. Culmination was 9/11
Killed in 2011