Islamic University Scholar Finds Headscarves Not Required
reported in Al-Monitor.com
In a landmark doctoral dissertation, Sheikh Mustafa Mohammad Raashed says his studies found that Islam never required women to wear a headscarf, Al-Nahar reports. Egypt’s Al-Azhar University endorsed his conclusions, including that a lack of "analytical capabilities due to psychological problems" led to wrong interpretations.
"According to observers, Al-Azhar asserted its position on the discussion, and put an end to the ongoing debate over whether wearing the hijab is a tradition or a religious obligation. The university unequivocally declared that Islam does not impose the hijab as an obligation. "
See also:
http://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2012/06/45564/hijab-is-not-an-islamic-duty-scholar/
and:
http://muslimahvoicesbafts.wordpress.com/2012/07/02/hijab-is-not-an-islamic-duty-says-muslim-scholar-sheikh-mustapha-mohamed-rashed-al-azhar-university/
It will be interesting to see if this affects government institutions in and out of Egypt, as if it truly is a "ruling" on Islamic law.
