Polygyny: What It Means When African American Muslim Women Share Their Husbands

WORDS MAKE PEOPLE guest on Sunday August 16th is Dr. Debra Majeed of Beloit, WI  (Beloit College). Join us from 1-3 p.m. (EST) on Station IWDM. Call in at (714) 816-4673 and press 1 if you desire to ask question or make a BRIEF comment.

In June, the University Press of Florida will released “Polygyny: What It Means When African American Muslim Women Share Their Husbands” by Debra Majeed.

YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS THIS THOUGHT PROVOKING INTERVIEW AND DISCUSSION ON A REAL-LIFE TOPIC.

The publisher’s description follows of this book states:

Debra Majeed sheds light on families whose form and function conflict with U.S. civil law. Polygyny–multiple-wife marriage–has steadily emerged as an alternative to the low numbers of marriageable African American men and the high number of female-led households in black America.

This book features the voices of women who welcome polygyny, oppose it, acquiesce to it, or even negotiate power in its practices. Majeed examines the choices available to African American Muslim women who are considering polygyny or who are living it. She calls attention to the ways in which interpretations of Islam’s primary sources are authorized or legitimated to regulate the rights of Muslim women. Highlighting the legal, emotional, and communal implications of polygyny, Majeed encourages Muslim communities to develop formal measures that ensure the welfare of women and children who are otherwise not recognized by the state.