Well actually, I have heard back from one entry. I submitted an essay last Fall to BYU's Annual Religious Student Symposium, and was selected to give a 15-minute presentation about my essay "Female Rights in Islam: The Contextual Qur'an" at the symposium! Pretty neat. And I've been informed that I'll be receiving some kind of award... which could be one of the cash prizes, or an honorable mention. I'm crossing my fingers for the former! But regardless, I'm actually excited to talk about this essay because I think it's both fascinating and important. Here's my abstract, to sum up what I'll be talking about:
This submission discusses the place of women in the religion of Islam. Discussion includes an examination of both the treatment of women culturally (in both the East and West), as well as the various cultural and literal interpretations of the Qur’an regarding the treatment of women and their rights within Islam. This discussion demonstrates the discrepancies between modern, contextual interpretations of Islamic scripture with the poor treatment of women “based” on Islamic scripture. It becomes clear that the original intention of the Prophet Muhammad and the Qur’an is often inconsistent with Islamic culture, and that women of Islam can assert their rights by becoming literate and understanding the true interpretations of their holy book, the Qur’an. The paper concludes with a celebration that true, unadulterated Islam is a safe place for women, and with time and education hopefully they can find a healthier and more gospel-appropriate culture of women as equals to men.
What else? Well, we're both pretty busy with school and work and what not. Jordan is taking a healthy load of classes, he continues to work doing physical therapy (PT) with Capricia 3 times a week, and is applying to be a volunteer PT assistant at the hospital here. The hope is that if he volunteers for the next couple months and they like him (which I'm sure they will, who doesn't?!) that they'll hire him to work for them this summer. It would be a great job, pays well, and would give him the hours he needs for his applications to PT school (in two year and counting). Fewf! He also was recently released from his position in the Bishopric in our ward, having fulfilled the year that they ask us to serve in a student ward. It was bittersweet for both us-- more time together, but we both enjoyed the extra service to the ward. But Bishop didn't let us off the hook for long... within like 2 days we were called as Temple Prep instructors, so we're working with 3 couples in the ward who are preparing to attend the Temple and be sealed! We feel so fortunate to have this wonderful opportunity, and love learning more together.
As for me, I'm busy busy busy with applying to grad school, full-load of credits, an internship, and 2 jobs. I'm working as the TA for both Environmental Health (which Jordan is taking, fun huh!? Lol we've been joking about he's seducing the TA for a good grade... I'm still waiting for chocolates and flowers though... ;) and for the Refugee and Immigrant Health class that I helped Dr. Cole develop. Keeps me plenty busy. And on the note of refugees, here's a shout out on behalf of Haiti: if you go to iTunes there's a wonderful cd available from last week's "Hope for Haiti" program, which costs $8 and all the proceeds go to really great, reputable charity organizations working in Haiti. So if you're thinking about donating to the cause, this is a way you can donate, and get some beautiful (mostly) music to listen to as well!
Well, I think that's plenty for now. I'll have to bore you with details of my internship next time (although I won't lie, I find it REALLY interesting :). I'll wrap up with this picture of me and the suh-weet book I bound! A girl in the ward taught a group of us how to bind books, and I'm a bit obsessed. I'm really hoping to get into the bookbinding class at BYU this spring...
As for me, I'm busy busy busy with applying to grad school, full-load of credits, an internship, and 2 jobs. I'm working as the TA for both Environmental Health (which Jordan is taking, fun huh!? Lol we've been joking about he's seducing the TA for a good grade... I'm still waiting for chocolates and flowers though... ;) and for the Refugee and Immigrant Health class that I helped Dr. Cole develop. Keeps me plenty busy. And on the note of refugees, here's a shout out on behalf of Haiti: if you go to iTunes there's a wonderful cd available from last week's "Hope for Haiti" program, which costs $8 and all the proceeds go to really great, reputable charity organizations working in Haiti. So if you're thinking about donating to the cause, this is a way you can donate, and get some beautiful (mostly) music to listen to as well!
Well, I think that's plenty for now. I'll have to bore you with details of my internship next time (although I won't lie, I find it REALLY interesting :). I'll wrap up with this picture of me and the suh-weet book I bound! A girl in the ward taught a group of us how to bind books, and I'm a bit obsessed. I'm really hoping to get into the bookbinding class at BYU this spring...
3 comments:
Good luck with all your applications, and congrats on your paper!
VERY NICE! Good job on that book.
PS: We should hangout again.
ok so i was just looking at the empowering women blog and saw the link to yours!! i am excited to read it... you have so much interesting stuff to talk about it :)
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