But this is not the case. When Islam came in the 7th century it brought a clear message of support and acknowledgment of women. Indeed some the earliest figures in Islam were women. Khadija, the wife of Prophet, is known in Islamic history as the first person to accept Islam and acknowledge the prophethood of her husband. Women were successful merchants, scholars and even led armies. More importantly, for the countless number of women who faced daily problems they were given the right to inherit property, the right to agree or disagree to marry, and the right to initiate divorce proceedings.

I do not see it as a coincidence that one of the most splendid architectural wonders of the world was created by a man in memory of his wife. The emperor Shah Jehan built the Taj Mahal in Agra so that the world would know of his devotion to his beloved wife.

I suspect that there is a correlation in Muslim history between strong and confident Muslim societies and full rights to women, and weak and decaying societies and the subjugation of women. We can see the pattern even today. While the Muslim world has had several women prime ministers and presidents there are also horrendous cases of rape and humiliation-such as the now notorious case of Mukhtaran Mai who was gang-raped in a remote part of Pakistan.

There is an inherent danger within orthodox Islam--like the more orthodox tendencies in other religions--to marginalize women. However, there are a countless number of both men and women fighting to ensure that women are given their proper place in society.

I hope the 21st century will be a time when women will not only fully participate in societies but are also able to make their great contribution at a critical time in world history.