On Friday, September 29, the Oprah Winfrey Show, one of the most influential programs in America, deals with the issue of "Sanctioned Violence Against Women" around the world. Much of the program examines treatment of women in Muslim countries. (To view a summary of the program, go to http://www.oprah.com/tows/pastshows/tows_past_20000929_e.html)

CAIR took notice and advised Muslims to comment. To comment on the program, go to: http://oprah.com/email/reach/email_reach_comments.html

Possible talking points: (As always, be Polite. Explain why you did or did not believe the program was accurate or balanced.)

If a particular society oppresses women, it does so in spite of Islam, not because of it. Stereotypical portrayals of Muslim countries could lead viewers to believe that acts of violence against women are somehow linked to Islam.

More than 1400 years ago, Islam eliminated the chattel status of women, prohibited the pre-Islamic practice of female infanticide and grave women full control over their earnings and wealth. The "modern" concept of the pre-nuptial agreement is ancient by Islamic standards. Muslim brides have always had access to this legal protection.

Other rights granted to women by Islam include the right of inheritance, the right to initiate divorce and the right to own a business. (The Prophet Muhammad's wife Khadijah was a prosperous business-woman.) The first martyr in Islam was a woman, as was the first person to accept the Prophet's message from God.

As Dr. Jamal Badawi, a North American Islamic scholar, outlines in his book "Gender Equity in Islam," Islam also grants women the right to receive child support, to face equality before the law, to participate in political affairs, to seek employment or an education, to accept or reject a marriage proposal, and to be free of spousal abuse. (See http://www.soundvision.com/gender/)

The Qur'an, Islam's revealed text states: "The believers, men and women, are protectors one of another..." (Qur'an 9:71)