How far can Muslim women contribute to society while keeping to the teachings of Islam? Discuss with reference to one Muslim woman from modern times that you have studied.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2022). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. 10 marks AO1 – Knowledge and understanding
2. 15 marks AO2 – Analysis and evaluation
3. Mark according to the levels of response marking grids for AO1 and AO2. Answers may refer to any Islamic religious theory or teaching. Candidates may propose, analyse and evaluate some of the following arguments. All relevant arguments must be credited.
4. Introduction: Candidates can start by explaining that Islam is a religion which advocates social engagement whether it is by men or women. Hadith: 'Whosoever of you sees an evil let him remove it with his hand, and if he is not able then by his tongue...'
5. Candidates can choose to write about any influential Muslim woman of their choice to show whether it is easy or not for a modern Muslim woman to be engaged socially.
6. Candidates can choose to write about Malala, a campaigner for human rights and also a young Muslim girl living in the West. They can give the background to Malala's advocacy for girls' education at a young age in Pakistan despite the Taliban's ban at that time. Due to her campaign she was subjected to an attack where she nearly lost her life. After surviving the assassination attempt, she moved to the UK, where she underwent treatment and she co-founded the Malala Fund with her father Ziauddin to champion every girl's right to 12 years of free, safe, quality education. She continues her campaign through the Malala Fund despite her busy schedule as a student and her numerous national and international commitments as a Noble Prize Laureate.
7. Candidates can explain that she has remained true to the Islamic commitment of hijab despite becoming a public figure, but she might be challenged in other ways to keep to her Islamic principles.
8. Other women that candidates can choose to write about are Noor Tagouri (Libyan American journalist, activist, motivational speaker and producer of the documentary series on the mistreatment of people with mental disabilities), Bilqis Edhi (humanitarian, social worker and one of the most active philanthropists in Pakistan), Fahma Mohamed (British teenage activist campaigning against Female Genital Mutilation), or any famous woman from their own country.
9. Answers could focus on the importance of women's engagement in the society in which they live for their communities and show whether this is achievable or not and the reasons behind that.
10. Depth of knowledge should be assessed for each woman chosen, such as the time and place where she lived and details of her achievements or challenges.
11. Conclusion: Candidates should arrive at a conclusion as to whether it is easy or not for a Muslim woman to be actively involved while staying true to Islamic principles.