Women in seminary schools transcend the stereotype image of the cleric

In a special feature today, As Safir newspaper highlighted the intricacy of identifying the term ‘Hawzawiyat’ or women in Hawzat (Shiia seminary schools) if they are considered to be religious women, scholars or messengers. It downplayed the significance of such notions as long as they are preoccupied with the spirit and essence of religion, hence transcending all labels and geographic borders and, in a way, rising above the stereotypical image of the traditional cleric. As such and unlike men, they do not wear the traditional jilbab (dress) or turbans, grow their beards or shave their moustache or speak in the authoritative voice of the imam or preacher, the newspaper analyzed, adding that they are simply ordinary down-to-earth women. On the subject, As Safir interviewed Rula Shuaib, the registrar at Al Zahraa Hawzat (affiliate of al Mustafa International University) who clarified that students are required to study the proper aspects of Islamic knowledge and preach them in universities, municipalities and prisons, through tutoring, articles and funeral wakes (majlis aza’a). Shuaib pointed out that the Hawzat has contributed to promoting the leadership capacity of women, a good example are media figures, researchers and writers who graduated from similar seminaries (hawzat). And about the criteria for accepting women students, Shuaib said they should fulfil certain conditions, including that high school level, below 28 years of age, pass an oral exam and multiple intelligence tests in language and logic, in addition to compliance with religious dress code during their study and secure the approvals from their immediate family. For her part, Fatmeh Abdallah, now pursuing her masters in philosophy and theology at the Hawzat, told As Safir reporter that her seminary study has given her greater responsibility in representing the Hawzat and its students, and has become a reference for queriers on religious and ethical questions. (As Safir, December 21, 2016)