Season 2: Episode #37: Is there space for female Islamic leaders today? with Dr. Shahla Haeri​

In this episode, Kelsie and Brooke learn from Dr. Shahla Haeri, author of The Unforgettable Queens of Islam. This is the third in a series of three episodes with Dr. Haeri about her book. In this episode, we learn about two women who rise to top political leadership in the Islamic World: Benazir Bhutto of Pakistan and Megawati Sukarnoputri​ of Indonesia. ​

Transcript

Dr. Shahla Haeri is a former director of the Women’s Studies Program at Boston University, a pioneer of Iranian Anthropology, and has produced cutting-edge ethnographies of Iran, Pakistan and the Muslim world. Her landmark books include her classic ethnography, Law of Desire: Temporary Marriage, Mut’a, in Iran (1989/2014) translated into Arabic and reprinted frequently, highlighting the tenacious but secretive custom of temporary marriage in Iran; No Shame for the Sun: Lives of Professional Pakistani Women (2002/2004), widens the ethnographic scope to make visible lives of educated and professional Muslim women. Her recently released book, The Unforgettable Queens of Islam: Succession, Authority, Gender (Cambridge University Press) is a groundbreaking book on the extraordinary lives and legacies of a few remarkable Muslim women sovereigns from across cultures and Islamic history. Dr. Haeri’s academic and creative oeuvre include directing a video documentary, Mrs. President: Women and Political Leadership in Iran (2002, 46 min.) focusing on six women presidential contenders during the Iranian presidential election of 2001. She is the recipient of many fellowships, grants, and postdoctoral fellowships.
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