One of the most misunderstood areas in Islam is that of the position of women in the religion. The general perception in the West is that Muslim women are subjugated. While not all Muslims deal with women as inferior, this is unfortunately true in some segments of the Muslim world and this treatment is supposedly justified by the religion. However, when we look at the basis of the religion, the Quran, we see a very different picture. In the Quran God makes it very clear that men and women are equal[3:195] Their Lord responded to them: "I never fail to reward any worker among you for any work you do, be you male or female -you are equal to one another. Thus, those who immigrate, and get evicted from their homes, and are persecuted because of Me, and fight and get killed, I will surely remit their sins and admit them into gardens with flowing streams." Such is the reward from GOD. GOD possesses the ultimate reward. The holy book has many other verses that reports equal rights to men and women.

Islam prohibits discrimination and ordains equal rights to all the faithful believers, brothers and sisters. Ingrid Mattson, a prominent Muslim woman was elected president more than once to the Umbrella organization ISNA (Islamic Society of North America). In the Islamic Center of Davis, however, women are deprived of their rights to be elected to serve their community, religion and creator. Discrimination against women is not only against our religion and unfair, but also against the law. In addition, many Muslim women contributed to the Islamic Center of Davis faithfully for the purpose of serving God and the community via financial contributions, executive committee and the Sunday School.

We, the undersigned members of the Islamic Center of Davis, protest the discrimination against women and demand equal rights to vote and to be elected to all offices of Executive Committee and Board of Trustees.

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