Creative Disobedience: Feminism, Islam, and Revolution in Egypt

Abstract

This chapter is a reflection on the intersections between feminism, Islam, and revolution over time into the open-ended present. It argues that a revolution in Egypt capable of realizing a truly democratic state and society must include a full-fledged feminist revolution in order to dismantle patriarchal structures and practices inimical to the creation of an egalitarian state and society. The chapter argues that integral to this feminist revolution—and its success in leading to a democratic future for Egypt—is moving from a patriarchal to an egalitarian understanding and practice of Islam. It points to the longue durée of feminism and revolution—feminism as public activism was born and reborn in revolution—and of religious unity—defiantly asserted and reasserted—as part of revolutionary practice in Egypt.