Diana Obeid

A native of Lebanon, Obeid has a master’s in the humanities and graduate certificates in women’s studies and new literature in English from Old Dominion University. She will explore the role and status of women in Muslim societies from the rise of Islam in the seventh century to the present.

Obeid will address whether Islam is oppressive to women, why some Muslim women veil and others don’t, and what the Qur’an says about women, said committee member Jackie Ferriter.

The focus will be on women and sexuality, the rise of Islamic feminism, women in the shari’a, how religion and culture have shaped, affected, and influenced women’s role in Muslim societies throughout the centuries, and how religion and culture also have clashed over women’s issues, said Ferriter.

The program will begin at 2 p.m. Coffee and cookies will be served following the presentation.