On October 21 and 22, 2025, The AiW, in partnership with Adyan Foundation and Danmission, organized a regional conference titled “Religious Interpretations and Gender Equality.” The event brought together religious figures, faith scholars, and practitioners from multiple Arab countries to discuss the injustices embedded in traditional interpretations of religious texts across Islam and Christianity.

The opening remarks were delivered by Ms. Myriam Sfeir, Executive Director of The AiW at LAU; Dr. Nayla Tabbara, Co-Founder of Adyan Foundation; Mr. Jack Lahoud, Project Manager at Danmission; and Mr. Fadi Hachem, Project Manager of “Women, Religions, and Human Rights in Lebanon” at Adyan Foundation. They welcomed the speakers and participants, highlighting the importance of addressing patriarchal interpretations rooted in religious beliefs and teachings, and their profound impact on gender equality.

Speakers on Day 1 included:

• Morocco: Dr. Nadia El Sharkawi
• Lebanon: Fr. Nehme Saliba, Reverend Linda Maktabi, and Judge and Sheikh Ghandi Makarem, Judge and Father Dr. Akram El Khoury, and Sheikh Rabih Kobeissy
• Sudan: Mr. Nasr El Din Mufarrah
• Iraq: Dr. Batoul Farouq Muhammad Ali
• Syria: Ms. Shereen Dakoury
• Egypt: Dr. Anne Zaki and Dr. Rania Nabil Hendy
• Libya: Consultant Al-Zahraa Lanky

 

Speakers on Day 2 included:

• Palestine: Judge Soumoud Damiry and Judge Scarlet Bishara
• Iraq: Dr. Ilham Hamadi
• Morocco: Ms. Aicha Al Hajamy and Prof. Youssef Al Qalam
• Tunisia: Ms. Zahia Georgio and Dr. Amal Karamy
• Jordan: Judge Christine Faddoul and Dr. Lina Jazrawi
• Lebanon: Judge Dr. Muhammad Abou Zeid, Mr. Fadi Hachem, Dr. Hosn Abboud, Sheikh Mohammad Haidar, and Dr. Chaden Hani

 

Day One

The discussions focused on religious interpretations and their impact on gender inequality.

• Session 1 – “Injustice in Traditional Misogynistic Interpretations”
  This session addressed the injustices perpetuated by patriarchal readings of sacred texts. Speakers examined how certain interpretations of Islamic and Christian scriptures have been used to justify women’s inferiority. They emphasized that the original texts advocate equality, but male-dominated interpretations have distorted their meaning. Participants also explored the social and legal consequences of patriarchal exegesis and called for revisiting foundational texts to promote more equitable understandings.
• Session 2 – “The Importance of Liberating Religious Heritage from Misogynistic Interpretations”
  This session emphasized that the problem lies not in religion itself but in historical interpretations and their social applications. Speakers presented examples from both Islam and Christianity that highlight equality before God, stressing how selective readings have been used to justify domination. They called for reclaiming religious heritage through inclusive reinterpretations that reflect justice, compassion, and the true ethical essence of faith.
• Session 3 – “Foundations of a New, Non-Patriarchal Reading of Religious Texts”
  The final session called for reforms in theological education, greater involvement of women in interpretation, and the integration of faith with human rights principles. Speakers proposed including women’s lived experiences in religious discourse and drawing upon modern disciplines such as sociology, linguistics, and psychology to develop more just readings.

The first day concluded with the play “Leila, Latifa, Chimamanda.”

 

Day Two

The discussions focused on the impact of patriarchal readings on law and social justice.

• Session 4 (two parts) – “The Impact of Misogynistic Interpretations on Religious and Civil Laws, Legislation, and Reservations to International Treaties”
  This session explored how patriarchal religious interpretations shape family law, inheritance, marriage, and custody in Lebanon, Iraq, Jordan, and Tunisia. Despite reforms, many laws still reflect outdated mindsets. Speakers urged raising the legal marriage age, banning child marriage, ensuring equal inheritance rights, and recognizing women’s economic roles. The discussion also addressed CEDAW reservations and the resistance of political and religious institutions to reform, calling for dialogue with religious authorities and the adoption of unified, gender-fair legislation.
• Session 5 – “The Methodology of Non-Misogynistic Interpretation of Religious Texts”
  This session focused on developing new methodologies for reformulating religious interpretations to ensure inclusivity and gender justice. Speakers discussed how reinterpretation requires both academic rigor and engagement with religious authorities to gain legitimacy. They also stressed that sustainable reform depends on education and community awareness to shift deeply rooted cultural attitudes.
• Session 6 – “Examples of New Interpretations”
  The final session showcased practical examples of reformed interpretations and their translation into laws and legal practices that promote justice and equality. Speakers underscored the need for both political will and societal mindset change to achieve genuine reform.

The two-day conference provided a platform to distinguish between divine revelation and human interpretation of religious texts. It underscored that gender inequality stems from patriarchal biases in traditional interpretations rather than from religion itself. Participants called for feminist theological approaches grounded in justice, equality, and inclusion to reclaim the ethical core of religion.