GENDER SEGREGATION IN ISLAM Protection or Destruction?

Abstract

In spite of the commonly accepted idea among contemporary scholars of Islamic orthodoxy that gender segregation would be a policy of protection for individuals and society, my argument will be that male/ female segregation is an anti-Islamic attitude and practice as it artificially constructs gender inequality based on social practices that are legitimated by supposedly religious precepts. The term Islamic is understood here as referring to Islamic ethics respecting such values as justice, fairness, equality within mankind, honesty, moral righteousness, humility in front of God. My contention will be that instead of being a means of soul, family and community protection, gender segregation is dangerously destructive. It entails the destruction of souls, individuals, families and societies.