Notes on women’s movement within the Islamic Community

Reform movements began within the Islamic community in the late 19th century. However, emphasis on purdah system and slow spread of education among women delayed the progressive movement to improve the opportunities for Muslim women.

People like the Begum of Bhopal, Syed Ahmad Khan and Sheikh Abdullah of Aligarh and Karmat Hussain in Lucknow spearheaded a movement to improve women’s education. In 1916 the Begum of Bhopal formed the All-India Muslim Women’s Conference. The Conference in 1917 passed a resolution that polygamy should be abolished.