FES INDIA PAPER New Delhi, May, 2015 ISLAMIC FEMINISM – A CONTRADICTION IN TERMS? BY AMBAR AHMAD In recent times, Islamic feminism has emerged as a challenge to patriarchy in Muslim societies. Given the varieties of Islam and feminisms that exist, a xed meaning cannot be attached to the term. Islamic feminism can be better understood through the strategies employed. Ranging from re-interpretation of holy sources to recovering indisputable Islamic rights of women, Islamic feminists challenge patriarchy in multiple ways. Islamic feminism has elicited strong responses ranging from outright dismissal to enthusiastic approval from sections of the traditional religious establishment as well as some secular feminists. Islamic feminism should be evaluated pragmatically on grounds of strategic successes and failures, rather than rejecting or endorsing it wholesale.