If you are woman trying to find your online ovulation calendar, you could start with a google search and get lots of results. This summary of ovulation calendars will help you cut to the chase and make an informed decision quickly.

First let’s review three techniques for determining when ovulation occurs:

1) Calendar method:
This method uses the starting date of the woman’s period and the cycle length. Assuming a regular cycle, ovulation occurs 14 days before the next period date. It’s the simplest of methods that works reasonably well for a majority of women. It does not work too well for women with irregular cycles.

2) Basal temperature:

During the days prior to ovulation, a rise in the level of luteinizing hormone LH causes a slight drop in body temperature. When ovulation occurs, the body temperature goes up. A basal thermometer is accurate enough to detect the changes in body temperature and can be used to determine when ovulation occurs. It’s more accurate than the calendar method but of course it comes with the price of having to remember to measure the temperature every morning. The biggest change in temperature is noticeable when ovulation has occurred, meaning a woman may not know about her most fertile days until after the fact.

3) Cervical Mucus (CM)

During the days prior to ovulation, the cervical mucus thins as its pH level rises. The thinner mucus allows the sperms to pass through the cervix and reach the fallopian tubes, where they wait for an ovum to be released. Shortly after ovulation the mucus reverts to being thicker again. So by performing daily checks of the cervical mucus, a woman can detect how fertile she is.

Now let’s take a look at the tools you are most likely to find when searching for it on the internet. Most of the sites offer the calendar method which requires the minimum effort for the user. I grouped the sites into two main categories. Category one is sites that use the calendar method only. Category two is sites that use a mix of methods, category, basal temperature and cervical mucus. Finally, a third category lists a few offerings for download to a desktop or PDA.

CALENDAR METHOD: WEB

The following are free and don’t require registration:

• pregnancy.about.com
• americanpregnancy.org
• marchofdimes.com
• ibabydust.com
• babyhopes.com
• babycenter.com
• yourdays.com is free but requires registration.

CALENDAR METHOD: WIRELESS

• LadyTimer.com is the only ovulation calendar choice for women who prefer to use their cell phone. Ladytimer is free with registration.

MULTIPLE METHODS (Calendar, Temperature, CM):

• Cyclepage.com used to be a pay site, but now it is free with signup required.
• Webmd.com offers the calendar based ovulation calendar free. They charge $20 per month for the extended service version.
• MyMonthlyCycles.com is free with a somewhat lengthy signup requirement.
  In return the member gets to see cute little rabbit pictures on the calendar showing fertile days.
• FertilityFriend.com and FertileDays are the same. Basic charts are free with signup required, and they promote a paid VIP services. I couldn’t find any contact info on their site, which also seemed to generate user complaints on reviews on Epinions.com
• Ivillage.com offers the fertility planner at 8$ per month with initial free trial.

There are also many downloadable ovulation calendars for your desktop or PDA, way too many to attempt to produce a complete list.
Here is a short list:

• Idreamofbaby.com is free fertility software
• iKonceive costs around $30
• ovulation-calendar.com costs around $30

Hopefully this summary of popular available ovulation calendars will help you find your best option.

http://ladytimer.com

On the face of it, every relationship is a perfect relationship when it begins. It’s the people who spoil it by bringing their expectations to burden it! Just think about it for a moment, if either party had NO expectations of the other, and merely enjoyed what unfolded in front of them, accepting their partners as they are, there would be far fewer breakdowns. We kill relationships with our expectations because, as they are unfulfilled, we then get resentful, frustrated and bitter towards our partners. We blame them for things not working as expected.

So your man (or woman) has hurt you, or you feel rejected and unwanted by a fellow you fancy. Bitter vengeful thoughts occupy your mind. You could cheerfully throttle them today. You feel really bad every time you think of them. But bitterness should be avoided for five important reasons.

First, potential partners come into our lives for any of four main reasons: To help us out of a crisis, to teach us something new, to boost our confidence and build us up to face the next stage of our journey, or to be the permanent spouse we seek. The trouble with many single people is that they are so keen to find such a person, they tend to believe every person they meet will be the BIG ONE, the permanent partner. They burden every meeting with that expectation and are then surprised and bitter when it doesn’t work out. Instead of allowing it to unfold in their own way, they expect a lot which is then not delivered. You cannot be bitter in such circumstances. You have to use it as a valuable experience for life while you continue to seek that specific person.

Second, by being bitter, you are really blaming someone else for your feeling of failure or rejection, not taking responsibility for your own life. If things do not work out, then that guy is perceived to be responsible. But BOTH parties are usually responsible for any bad experience in a relationship. There is always a trigger, even unintended, for the reaction of others. If your man is suddenly seeing someone else, what is he missing at home? Why doesn’t he find you attractive anymore to hold his attention? What message is he trying to give you? Pointless just calling him a ‘bastard’ without looking at what you are not doing to prevent his defection. It is always easier to focus on others when things are not working out, but, most times, focusing on ourself to get the change we seek is the most effective way of doing something positive about our situation. Blaming others is only a temporary palliative which does not make you feel any better long term because partners won’t respond the way you want them to. Thinking up ways you can change the situation in your favour works every time.

Less Attractive and Depressing

Third, being bitter just keeps you in the same rut and robs you of a future. If you are stuck back there in the past reliving things and being bitter towards every new man because of another man’s boorish behaviour, not only do you become less attractive and depressing in the process, but you merely keep potential suitors away from you too. It also means that you are not learning from the situation and moving on to something better. You are actually using it to feel vengeful and martyred, which prevents your own development or any new perspective. Only by leaving such feelings in the past where they belong can you give yourself the new start that is essential in such situations.

Fourth, bitterness is negative emotion and that does not empower you and actually endangers your health. It merely destroys good emotions, makes you physically vulnerable and keeps you feeling impotent and inadequate. The more inadequate you feel, the more bitter you will become in a never-ending circle of negativity. You have to break that cycle to affirm the quality person you are, to reinforce your positive self so that you can control your own destiny without leaving it up to the actions of others.

Finally, any form of bitterness or resentment of others keeps you tied to them too. Forgiveness is the key to moving on and to achieving greater things in your life. Harbouring bitter thoughts keeps you in a negative morass which gradually suffocates you, despite your best efforts. It would be like operating on one cylinder instead of three. By forgiving others, you also forgive yourself and replace the negative vibes with positive feelings. You also break the bad connection permanently to get even more joy in your life and the kind of relationship you seek.

ELAINE SIHERA (Ms Cyprah -http://www.ecademy.com/user/elainesihera and http://www.myspace.com/elaineone) is an expert author, public speaker, media contributor and lifestyle columnist. The first Black graduate of the OU and a post-graduate of Cambridge University. Elaine is a CONFIDENCE guru and a Personal Empowerment, Relationships and Diversity Consultant. Author of: 10 Easy Steps to Growing Older Disgracefully; 10 Easy Steps to Finding Your Ideal Soulmate!; Money, Sex & Compromise and Managing the Diversity Maze, among others (available on http://www.amazon.co.uk as well as her personal website). Also the founder of the British Diversity Awards and the Windrush Men and Women of the Year Achievement Awards. She describes herself as, “Fit, Fabulous, Over-fifty and Ready to Fly!”

When Washington Post columnist Kathleen Parker voiced her objections toward women in combat she focused her editorial on the one female among 15 British sailors and marines held hostage by the Iranians. In singling out Leading Seaman Fay Turney, Parker stirred up a cauldron of my own feelings about American women in uniform fighting side by side with men in combat.

The R Word

Notwithstanding the sexual harassment and/or rape cases within our military ranks at home, the last thing American uniformed women want is to be captured and raped by hostiles. The Germans did it to Russian women in World War II. The Russians did it back to German women when they took East Berlin. The Japanese did it in Nanking; the American GIs did it in Vietnam. We all know what happened in Bosnia. Need I go back centuries? The visuals are not pretty.

Androgens (Male) vs. Estrogens (Female)

The hormones thing: Certainly there are some women–Judo experts, champion athletes come to mind–who are capable of taking care of themselves in certain circumstances, but not all and particularly not if they are outnumbered or injured.

Unless she regularly and vigorously works out, in most cases Eve’s body is physically weaker than Adam’s. I doubt there are many “GI Janes” within our Armed Forces. Private Jessica Lynch, whose capture and rescue in Iraq are still under a “fog of war” cloud, will testify before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee later this April. But it’s still unclear how much Jessica remembers, or wants to remember of what happened to her.

Score 10 for PR; 0 for Motherhood

The matter of motherhood: Wouldn’t you think that young Fay Turney would care more about her three-year-old-daughter than to put herself in harm’s way in the heavily contested waters of the Persian Gulf—not to mention the slimy hands of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad? What fools the British were to let themselves be manipulated and humiliated by that insane fanatic. Those propaganda videos will go a long way in the Arab world toward making the Brits and us (guilt by association) look cowardly and weak.

Given that young Fay Turney obviously adores her little girl, she nevertheless lives in a world that expects her to sacrifice her most precious attribute, motherhood. And if we are to believe what we saw on the tapes—while behind the scenes she was frightened into apologizing—publicly the Iranians want us to think they treated Fay Turney as they do their own women–like a princess. To the Arab world Mr. Ahmadinejad comes off looking like Prince Charming, Tony Blair like Mr. Bumble.

What’s Fashionable

In the Broadway musical My Fair Lady Henry Higgins asks, “Why can’t a woman be more like a man?” Today’s professional American women are expected to think like men. Besides, it’s so old fashioned to talk of motherhood. But motherhood has nothing to do with fashion. Motherhood does not go in and out of fashion. Do mothers who are in and out of rehab better serve today’s children?

When I think of motherhood I think of the paintings of Mary Cassatt. She’s all about motherhood. If you are unfamiliar with the 19th century American Impressionist painter, you will find her on the Internet and in museums the world over. Looking at her gorgeous paintings is therapeutic for me. I can smell the milk breath of the babies and feel the inner peace of the mothers.

Woman the Nurturer

Those women who can afford to be full time mothers love it and their children love it. Children need their mothers. They need their fathers too, but it is the fathers who must go off to war; alas that is the way of the world. If mothers want to serve their country, if they want a military career, they can do it in so many ways with their brains, rather than weapons.

Women are Different Than Men

American women want to work anywhere they choose, regardless of whether the job is dirty or dangerous; and they are doing it successfully and that is a good thing. But there is a big difference between cracking the glass ceiling in the private sector, and fighting alongside men with boots on the ground and testosterone in the air. Yes, women are different than men, which is why they are often assaulted when and where they are most vulnerable. For example, uniformed women are warned consistently not to go to the latrines and showers alone.

To a lesser extent, these conditions prevailed in Vietnam where there were no women combatants, but military nurses who were there to save lives. In addition to all the backup support women and men provide the troops, women are particularly good at nurturing, healing, caring for and saving lives because that’s what they do naturally. Everything else has to be learned.

More Questions Than Answers

According to sketchy statistics, about 70 women have died fighting in Iraq and 450 have been wounded. Some have returned home and committed suicide. This is sad, even sadder if they were mothers. About 10 percent of the U.S. Forces currently serving in Afghanistan and Iraq are women. I would like to ask General David Petraeus, head of all U.S. forces in Iraq, these questions.

1. Does the integrated male/female military service really work?

2. If a female soldier is being raped while her male buddies are in a firefight nearby, should her buddies try to come to her aid, or hunker down and continue the firefight?

3. When women are dressed as men and consistently considered “one of the guys” is there concern that men might become desensitized to women and their innumerable unique differences?

4. Does the training of young women in the military include highly advanced self-defense like Tai Kwon Do or Karate?

5. After serving as combatants, or as non-combatants (drivers, mechanics) in a combat zone, how many women voluntarily return to Iraq? Of those, how many are mothers?

6. Historically, women have always served in America’s wars, domestic and foreign. But very few statistics are available on the health of women who served, such as women who were exposed to Agent Orange in Vietnam (civilian and military); the number of post-traumatic stress cases, etc. Is there more attention focused on these serious health matters now that women are serving in combat roles?

There is little if any chance that General Petraeus will ever see this article. Maybe it’s too long for anyone’s attention span. Nevertheless, these are questions that make me wonder if I am the only one who asks them.

A writer/editor, I work with one client at a time for a cost effective solution to your writing and editing needs. Visit me at http://www.susanscharfman.com My novel The Sword & The Chrysanthemum is now available in paperback and in ebook.

In today’s world, it’s normal for women to work outside of the home. Just a few decades ago, it was the exception. But when women become pregnant and have babies, the choice to work can become quite a problem for everybody involved. Though most companies must allow six to twelve weeks of maternity leave, the new mother might not be paid for that time off.

Even worse, a six- or twelve-week-old baby is extremely young. Babies are still very dependent on their mothers, especially if they’re breastfed. It makes no sense to me that babies are forced to separate from their mothers at such early ages. Babies need their mothers, pure and simple. There is no substitute for a mother when it comes to raising her children. The bond is biological, and affects how women feel at work and in their life. And infants remain babies until they’re well over one year old.

But should women be allowed to bring their babies to work? I think so. And I think everyone would benefit. When I went back to work (my daughter was about 7 weeks old), I was still very hormonal. I worried about her, called the daycare often, cried when I dropped her off at daycare, cried at work, and tried to spend every moment with her when I got home (missing sleep, as a result). I was a basket case. And my work suffered. I was tense, worried, sleepy, and I had to take time twice a day to pump enough milk for the next work day.

Eventually, the toll was too much, and I quit my job. As a single mother, this was a tough decision.

Had I been able to bring my daughter to work with me, I could have fed her discreetly in a sling and she would have had the comfort of being next to Mommy all day long. Some studies show that babies who are held often cry very little, if at all. At the very least, if my office had a nursery in the building, I could have left her there while I worked, still able to nurse her and mother her.

This isn’t about making things easier for women. It’s about making life better for babies. Too many are being raised by others, along with several other children. Mothers and babies were designed to have a largely one-on-one relationship. As a result, I believe our society will suffer from this detached parenting forced by our current workplace ‘rules.’ Things have to change.

Copyright 2007 by Theda K. Rogers

Theda K. Rogers is (now) a freelance copywriter, working at home with her 22-month-old daughter.
Visit her blog at http://www.crayonwriter.com and her website at http://www.thedakcommunications.com

Feel like lopping your locks but not sure whether it will suit the shape of your face? Then try looking at some pictures of short hairstyles - it’s a great way to narrow down the styles you think you’ll look best with! Start with the internet. Nowadays there are many sites with pictures of celebrity hairstyles. If you’re not sure about this then start by looking at some of the pictures in hair salon windows, most salons will have these because they aim to promote the stylist’s work and draw clients in.

You may think that attempts to discover the perfect style this way are off the wall, but if you go into the better salons, and are not sure of the style you want, you will often be handed a book with pictures of different styles. When you see a style that looks good on someone with similar features and face shape to yourself, then it’s a cert that the style will suit you.

It may be worth investing in a hairstyling magazine at your local news stand. These are bound to have pictures of short hairstyles, and you should be able to find one that you like. Don’t be put off by the fact that models might look better than you, look for similarities. If you are still not sure then there is another method you can try before you take the plunge and have your hair cut short.

Let’s go back to the internet…. Some internet sites now have a service where you can upload a photograph of yourself and try out the different styles available on the site. You can crop the image and play around with the styles until you find one that suits you. Instead of looking at pictures of short hairstyles featuring other people, you will be the star of the show! Just upload your photo, pick a style you like and in a few seconds you’ll see it on your head - this is probably the best way of looking at pictures of short hairstyles to see whether they will suit you.

See what YOU look like with the latest celebrity hairstyles, including hundreds of pictures of short hairstyles - view them on your own uploaded photo now!
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Pictures Of Short Hairstyles

When you are considering purchasing a perfume or cologne that you’ve never purchased before there are some things that you should know so that you can make a wise decision. Here are some tips and tricks that every fragrance wearer should know.

On Mother’s Day, May 13, 2007, I’ll be standing with my family and friends at a local park. At noontime, we’ll ring bells to signal the start of five minutes of silence. During that time, we’ll think about what kind of a world we want for ourselves and our children. When the five minutes is up, we’ll ring our bells again and turn to talk to the people around us. Together, we can make a statement and show our support for peace, sanity and community.

Standing for something doesn’t mean that you have to have the biggest demonstration or loudest crowd. Quiet, thoughtful actions speak just as forcefully as shouted slogans and banners. I truly believe that women can make a difference in this world and I’m willing to stand up for that belief. I’m doing it for my daughter and my son, who will inherit the world we’ve created.

I’m also doing it because I believe that it’s our duty to give back to the world, and I’ve been blessed with so much. I’m healthy, reasonably intelligent, able to work and enjoy life. There are so many people in places all around the world who are living in poverty and unable to support themselves and their families. If we don’t do something about global warming, war and unrest, what kind of a world will our children be living in?

There are many things that women can do to support good causes. The standingwomen action is one of them, but there are many others. They can join their local Peace and Justice Center or mentor a single mother who is struggling to raise her family. They can volunteer at womens’ shelters, homeless shelters and community food cupboards.

If they have computer skills or are good at crafts, they can teach these skills to others at community centers or libraries. They can also teach illiterate adults to read and tutor children in their local school system. Providing foreign exchange students with a place to live is a good way to learn about a foreign culture, as well as a good deed. And if you live in the country or suburbs, how about providing a city kid with a country experience through the Fresh Air Fund?

You don’t have to be rich to do good in the world. All it takes is a little bit of your time and the willingness to get involved. Try it and you might be surprised at how good you feel when you become a woman who is changing the world.

For more information on the Mother’s Day rally, go to http://www.standingwomen.org
Lill Hawkins writes about family life, home education and being a WAHM at
http://hawkhillacres.blogspot.com Get the News From Hawkhill Acres: A mostly humorous look at home schooling, writing and being a WAHM, whose mantra is “I’m a willow; I can bend.”

The average person will look at a King size quilt as just another commodity, something for warmth and comfort. But it can actually be more than that depending on how you look at it because quilts are as much an art form as they are functional and they have been around for years now. What began as a thrifty sheet for the mass peasants is actually regarded as quite a valuable memento today since many families keep these are keepsakes so today quilts have evolved into beautiful handcrafts.

In olden times king size quilts were so large and labor-intensive that making them became a social event. Today king sized quilts are still very much a treasured piece in the home and many people consider owning one of these as a luxury since they not only look great as decorations and in display cases but they truly add a touch of family warmth and comfort to the home.

Since quilts, especially king size quilts are not as common as they once were you are more likely to find these rarities online or at a crafters mall instead of a regular mall. These stores sell crafting supplies as well as the hand crafted items for local artisans and you will more than likely find ready made quilts there or all the materials you need to craft your own desired piece.

These types of shops are a Mecca for inspiration since it is truly amazing to look at the beautiful artwork that can be made from various fabrics. Half the beauty in a kind size quilt lies in its sheer size since king size quilts are difficult to hand sew because they do not fit well on the quilting frames and as a result many quilters choose to make queen and full size quilts, which are easier to handle. So finding a king size quilt is really something to behold.

Another type of quilt that is also an amazing work of art is the Amish quilt. The craftsmanship that goes into these quilts is really unbelievable and in any Amish craft and artisan store you are likely to find several hundred quilts displayed on poles. Looking at one of the king size quilts on display will make you realize that you are seeing a work of art that is created by fabric. The blends and shading of diverse shades of fabric create the same effect as paint on a canvas. This is exactly the type of thing that can be handed down through generations as priceless family heirlooms.

Quilting is a fantastic art form and many people opt for learning how to do it themselves. Usually quilting classes are available in many community education programs, as well as there are numerous books available on the subject that teaches quilter’s techniques and also gives ideas for new and unique patterns as well. Whether functional or decorative, king size quilts are beautiful pieces of art and windows into history and culture.

Tip! - For a more comprehensive review and resources on quilting do visit the quilting section at href="http://www.allaboutthehome.info/">home remodeling ideas a site offering resources on issues like href="http://www.allaboutthehome.info/how-to-make-a-quilt.html">how to make a quilt, an essential guide to quilting ebook and even href="http://www.allaboutthehome.info/signature-quilts.html">signature quilts to suit any budget.

Why can women not be appointed as judges in the Islamic Republic of Iran?

Introduction

Women cannot become verdict speaking judges in the Islamic Republic of
Iran. Why?

Is this rule based on the Islamic treatment of women and their role in society or is it furthermore an adaptation of traditional rules?
Women’s rights in Islam seem to be interpreted and misinterpreted, perhaps more than in any other religion.

This might be because of the lack of knowledge of insiders and outsiders of the religion, as well as the political representation through the Middle Eastern countries, with the starting point of the Islamic Revolution in Iran in 1979.

The question whether women could be appointed as judges has become one of the main controversial issues, since numerous clerics believe that this would be against the true meaning of the Quran. In Iran, while women are allowed to listen to civil cases as judges, they are prohibited from becoming the verdict-speaking judge in civil courts and absolutely prevented from participating as judges in criminal courts.

1 In the Persian Empire, the role of women and their rights was historically determined by their relationship with the king.

2 While during the Achaenemid Dynasty, the king was the sole source of authority, legislature and executive branch simultaneously, women enjoyed economic independence. They were involved in state affairs and had decision rights in numerous situations (wealth, marriage, and occupation).

3 Women had the opportunity to choose their profession and stay financially independent, which indicates that regardless of their family status they were not separate living creatures behind high walls, just kept for child bearing.

4 Through the Achaenemid Empire, Persian empresses, such as Pourandokht and Atoosah, daughter of Cyrus I., were accepted as leaders and rulers of the nation.

5 There was unequal treatment of women under the Qajar dynasty in effect between the World Wars. This caused Iran to be seen as a backwards and unreasonable country in regards to human rights and especially women’s rights.

6
The major date for re-evaluating women’s rights in Iran between the World Wars is 1928: Reza-Khan, the ruling shah from the Pahlavi dynasty decided to attend a state event with his wife and his daughters without “higab”, the veil.

7
In 1979, another major change in the role of women role occurred: through the Islamic Revolution. Women were forced to put on the hijab and they were guaranteed to be treated equally on the Islamic level.

13
But soon after the revolution, promises given to women were taken back. While many women did not mind the dress-restriction, conservative clerics imposed Islamic law mechanically.

14
The Islamic government required not only the hijab for women, but went further and forced all female members of the courthouses out of their jobs.
Even though women had a tremendous role in the Islamic revolution, they were only given supportive roles and no leadership positions in the governmental institutions.

15
Hence, women started fighting for their own rights and requested a reform of the Islamic movement.

16 A Persian woman’s magazine published that, due to the wrong interpretation of Islamic verses, women rights were suppressed and improperly denied.

17
Islam tried to reject the notion that women were objects for the male society. Instead women are described as the nurturer of the public and the protector of humankind.

18
Arabic society would call “son-less” families abtar, meaning the ones who will not continue. But Islam rejected such a notion. As an example, when Prophet Muhammad’s son died at the age of two, the Sure Kauthar (108) was revealed, which secured the continuation of the family through female descendants.

19 At a time when Arab society would bury their daughters alive, the Prophet would honor women in their role as society leaders.

20
The issue is whether the appointment of a woman to become a judge in the
Islamic Republic of Iran would contravene (a) Iranian law (b) Islamic law.
The Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran is strictly based on the Quran
and states the equality of the genders in two articles.

21
i. Art 20 of the Iranian Constitution
ii. Art 21 (1) of the Iranian Constitution
i. Sure 4 (Nessah):34
ii. Sure 2 (Baqarrah): 228
Under the rule based on hadith, there are different schools of thought.
An isolated ahad hadith requires the restatement of two people only,
and is not accepted by the majority of an Islamic group.

Abu Bakr was one of the closest followers of the Prophet, who wrote his hadith twenty-five years after the Prophet died. He states in his hadith that the Prophet was outraged when he saw that a Persian king’s daughter was ruling over the Persian nation. Furthermore, he declares that the Prophet told his followers that no nation would be able to grow under female leadership.

22

An indefinite (mutawatir) hadith is told by many people and is accepted by
most Moslems within a sect.
Sayidinah Ali was another follower of the Prophet. He cites in his hadith that the treatment of women reflects one’s own respect for humankind and for God’s creatures.

23
The question of female leadership came up mainly after the women’s liberation movements of the 20th century.
According to Article 20 of the Iranian Constitution women and men are to be treated equally. However, the article states that this treatment should be according to the law and does not mention that the genders have equal rights.

24
The meaning of law is interpreted further in the sentence “… in conformity with Islamic criteria”, which means that the treatment is only equal and the basic principles are only considered in a given scope. This interpretation however, is not the one given by the Quran, but is interpreted in the Preamble of the Islamic Constitution.
“The family is the fundamental unit of society and the main center for the
growth and edification of human being. … Not only does woman recover thereby her
momentous and precious function of motherhood, rearing of ideologically committed human beings, she also assumes a pioneering social role and becomes the fellow struggler of man in all vital areas of life.”

The contradiction in the article becomes clear when it is read parallel to the preamble. Sure enough the rights are given, but the woman is considered in her high role of motherhood and mentor for her family society.

On the other hand, the preamble states:
“Through the creation of Islamic social infrastructures, all the elements of humanity that served the multifaceted foreign exploitation shall regain their true identity and human rights. As a part of this process, it is only natural that women should benefit from a particularly large augmentation of their rights, because of the greater oppression that they suffered under the old regime.”

Hence, even though it is not directly stated, the Islamic Constitution wants to give women more rights than they had during the Pahlavi dynasty and claims to go back to the “true” Islamic rules. This can be supported by the requirements the Constitution sets for leaders in general:

Article 109 [Leadership Qualifications]
While the requirements concentrate on the professional and social ability of a candidate, a gender requirement is not mentioned. The best example of the misinterpretation of this article is given in Shirin Ebadi’s case, who states that after the revolution she was not able to be a judge, based on the rule that women were too emotional and hence, not able to judge fairly. She and thirteen female judges were suspended from their work and were given clerical roles at the courthouses.

25
Article 21 (1) also states the “…Islamic criteria…” as the main measurement for gender rights. It even continues by stating that women should be able to develop and be supported in their role as “mother” and “raiser of humans”.

26
Setting the measuring stick with the Islamic criteria leaves a tremendous option for interpretations. These interpretations are usually done by the more powerful people in the political society, which are men and hence, read to their own liking.

27
One could argue that to become a presidential candidate, one has to be “rejal”, which means in Persian “mature and wise “, but this is interpreted by the higher power as a male person.

28
Furthermore, a gender requirement could be seen in Art 107: “… qualifications mentioned in Article 109, they shall elect him as the Leader.”. This cannot be supported as an argument, since the Persian language does not distinguish
between the 3rd person singular, and hence, him is just a mistake of the English translation.

The Iranian government claims that there are female judges in the country, however, not revealing that they act as “Inquiry Judges”: paralegals, legal secretaries and legal assistants.

29
Before the islamization of the Middle East, women in that region had basically no rights. They were treated as slaves in their own homes and were not considered as human beings. 30 For the first time in religious history, the Quran mentions women, addresses women directly, and dedicates two chapters to them. One sureh is named Nessah, the Arabic word for women, another is called after Maryam, the mother of Jesus.31 Nessah draws distinction between men and women and reveals their different social roles (Nessah: 1), inheritance law (Nessah: 11), and their positions in family law. (Nessah: 23-25).32
But Nessah is not the only verse speaking about women. Furthermore, it should be seen as a summary of the entire “female” rights in the Quran.

Several unique women are mentioned: The wife of Noah, the wife of the Pharaoh, and Maryam, the mother of Jesus are cited as samples of believers (Ahqaf: 10-11) and the wife of Egypt’s Aziz who fell desperately in love with Yusuf (Josef) is mentioned (Yusuf: 2) as a non-believer who converted.

The Nessah verse is misinterpreted and read to mean that
• men are superior to women and
• have authority over them.

33
This is supported by the argument that men are qawwamuna, which is translated as superiority over women. Part of the sureh, which states that “some are preferred over others”, is interpreted as men are preferred over women.

However, the Quran does not support this interpretation. Furthermore, it indicates equality among the genders by bringing supporting sureh Al-Taubeh: 71, which clarifies the meaning of care and responsibility. “…for the believing men and for the believing women, they are guardians of each other…” and Al-Taubeh: 72 “… to the believing men and the believing women…” Al Taubeh states that women and men are awliyya, meaning supporters of each other and gives rules for commitment to both of them.

34
It is also argued that the superiority of men can be seen in the second part of the verse “… what they spend of their property (for the support of women) …”. But this argument can not be supported. Before the Quran was written, women did not work, and hence did not have the financial capability to survive. Therefore, judges at that time did not take the ‘new’ changed social status of women into account and continued seeing the man as financial head of the family.

35
Additionally gender equality can be supported by Sure Ahzab: 34-35, where
both men and women are addressed.
“Surely the men who submit and the women who submit… believing men and
believing women…obeying men and obeying women… truthful men and truthful women…humble men and humble women…”.

Afsane Majmabani, an Iranian woman in the judicial field, claims also that she was forbidden to follow her career as a judge. She argues that the Quran does not support this treatment, since the Quran itself refers to female judges.36 The best example is Belquis the Queen of Saba, whose duties did not only include to rule over her nation in Marib, but to set verdict in legal cases. Sure Al-Naml: 23 also mentions a visitor entering the kingdom and citing at a later date: “Surely I found a woman ruling over them… and she has a mighty throne.”

Baqarrah: 282 states that the testimony of two women equals that of one
man, and explains this requirement with the following “… so that if one of them should make a mistake, the other should remind her.”
This verse is understood as the main source of women’s lack of intellect and their incapability to judge on their own.

37
This interpretation of the verse is taken out of its context. Given the time and location of Quran’s revelation, this statement would have been a very progressive step for women. As we could see from the history of the Islamic development, it is clear that woman did not have any rights before Islam.38 While Islam did give them numerous rights and did not question their intellectual capability; they were unfamiliar with the world outside their own homes and did have little knowledge about society.

Furthermore, this interpretation against women does not consider the fact that first, women were allowed to be witnesses, and second that the Prophet’s first wife,
Khadijah, was one of the only business women of her time; nevertheless, she hired male workers and trusted their business sense.

39
Neither could this be supported by Ahzab: 33, which requires two women witnesses verses one man. This as well has to be understood in the historical frame. This verse was written at a time, when Aisha was accused of cheating on the prophet. She had been alone in the desert and returned with a young man, who had rescued her, hence people immediately started rumors.

40
iii. Hadith of Abu Bakr
Since the Quran was not sufficient enough to give rules for every life situation, several narratives were collected, which gave numerous points of view for each situation, and made the religion difficult to understand. 41 The main goal of the
hadiths was to define certain topics and give an explanation for Quranic rules. But, regardless of the number of present hadiths, a hadith can only be a rule set as a fundamental rule, if it is not in contradiction with the Quran, is not in contradiction with the human intelligence, and does not contradict historical events.

Abu Bakr’s Hadith states that women are not to become Khalifeh, which is
the female version of Khalif, the leader of a nation. 42 To support his understanding of the Quran, his followers cite the following sources:
•”And when you ask of them anything, then ask them from behind a curtain.”
(Al Ahzāb: 53).
This should be seen again in the context of the Quran. To avoid men entering houses where women were walking around in light clothes, and underwear, any door or wall is considered a “curtain”. The verse wanted to give women their right of privacy and prohibit any uninvited entrance into their homes
•”O Nabi! Tell your wives and daughters and the women of the believers to draw their jilbābs (a special cloak that covers the entire body) close around them ….”(Al Ahzāb:59)
This is directed mainly to the women of the prophet. They should cover themselves up as a sign of dignity and superior standing. Their cover showed in public that they did not belong to the working class, but to the higher class, and should not be approached under any circumstances.

43
His stance is supported by Al-Zukhruf: 18 “… Is then one brought up among trinkets and unable to give a clear account in a dispute (to be associated with Allāh). This hadith argues that women’s intellect is so low that they would not be able to express themselves and decide between wrong and right, since they are preoccupied with their beauty.

44

He cites the Battle of the Camel, in which one of the prophet’s wives Aisha was the commander of the army and led them into the battlefield, which cost most of the soldiers their lives. Additionally, Abu Bakr states that Aisha herself regretted the fact of taking a leadership position.

45 Hence, he argues that not only should women not have leadership positions, but also they do not want to have them.
What he does not consider are the following facts: The Prophet Mohammad was alive at the time of the Battle, and he himself gave his young wife the control of the army. In addition, none of the soldiers rebelled against the female leadership.

46
If the position of women were as Abu Bakr claimed it to be, it is denying the fact that the prophet treated his daughter, Fatimah, with such respect and used her as a sample of a religious, yet independent woman.

47 This hadith also does not consider the fact that after the first collection of the Quran, it was trusted to one of the prophet’s wives, who made copies and distributed them amongst Muslims.

48
Abu Bakr’s hadith also does not consider the fact that the first follower of the Prophet and his “new” religion was his first wife, Kahdijah.

49 If Islam treated women as unreasonable and weak, it would have not accepted their participation.
Additionally, it is stated that the first person to commit jihad in the name of Islam, was a woman.

50 Moreover, Abu Bakr’s position does not explain why the Quran would give women rights regarding family affairs, inheritance and would let them have their own property without male guardianship, and on the other side treat them as incapable creatures.

51
His argument, that the prophet had apparently stated that a nation under
female leadership could not develop properly, has no basis in the Quran. Al Naml: 31
tells us about the queen of Sabah, Belquiz, who was the head of her nation and due to her belief is highly recognized and respected.

52
Hence, the hadith of Abu Bakr would contradict the Quranic verses and denies the historical events.
This hadith is an isolated one, and it does not have the competence of being rule binding. It is therefore unreasonable to regard it as a source of whether women can be appointed as leaders, in this case as verdict speaking judges.
iv. Hadith of Sayyidinah Ali
This general (mutawatir) hadith states that the Prophet had appointed a woman as the leader of the prayer, while numerous elder men were around.

53
Additionally he states the Prophet consulted women on many occasions for decisions. This definitely does not support the argument that women lack intelligence. Seyyadinah Ali affirms further that the Prophet wanted women to have an independent life, marry and get a divorce whenever they wanted to.

54
Even if the Prophet did not truly want women to hold leadership positions, there should be a distinction between the leadership positions in different circumstances.
•Personalized leadership, where the ruler is not dependent on anyone else,
•Absolute, with no sanctions, and
*Not absolute, with sanctions 55
The appointment of women as judges would clearly fall into the last category, due to the fact that her
power would not be absolute, and she would be required to obey the written law.
In conclusion it can be said that the appointment of women as judges does not contradict the Quran or the position of Persian women in the Iranian constitution.

Furthermore, the policy against this is based on the traditional interpretation that women are inferior and emotional. Hence, they would not be able to fulfill the job requirements of being objective and critical. As Motahari Frauim Islam states in his writing (Die Stellung der Frau im Islam) Women in Islam:

“In our modern times we do accept the differences between men and women, there are psychological ones and biological ones, and however,

through the differentiation they should enhance each other”

56.
Most likely, the notion that women cannot be judges is based on some hadiths with the belief that women were made after god created men. But this should not make women inferior in terms of choosing their occupation. It is unfortunate that no one has the possibility to challenge this treatment and request a legal change from the Iranian government. It is upsetting to see that no one is able to petition the government to make constitutional changes. I truly believe that the Islamic Republic of Iran has to put traditions aside and interpret the Quran for the modern times. Sure enough, it might be extraordinary to see a woman speaking out the verdict and the change might not be accepted quickly by the Iranian society. But even for that, the answer lies within the Quran: Ra’d:11
“Allah does not change the situation of people unless they change it themselves.”

1-http://www.islamic.org
2-http://www.sistersofislam.com
3-www.mohadjer.blogspot.com

So you have a knack for creating wonderful, unique, creative gift baskets and everyone you know says you should start your own gift basket business, right? Well whether you do it for love, or to utilize special talents and skills, starting a gift basket business is a wonderful way to do what you love and are good at, while making money from it too.

Starting a gift basket business can be done from your home, and there are a variety of ways to do this. If you plan to grow your gift basket business quickly though, you’ll want to dedicate at least one small room to your supplies and to use for a work and business area.

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Let’s say for instance, you only sell your gift baskets at flea markets and craft fairs once each month. All the rest of that month is likely spent designing and putting together your unique gift baskets. So you’ll need a safe, dry, clean place to store them until it’s time to take your business to the markets and fairs.

Another thing to consider when starting your own gift basket business, is whether you’ll create just certain types of gift baskets only. Will you for instance, only create baby shower gift baskets, wedding baskets, or graduation baskets? Or will you create all sorts of different gift baskets for different occasions? A similar decision to make involves custom gift baskets… will you offer this service to customers who ask for it?

Setting up your product line and sales methods are very important steps to starting your gift basket business. Streamlining these things will help quite a bit too, particularly when things get busy.

If for instance, you create a line of ten different gift baskets to start with, you can create a list of each item that will go into each of those gift baskets. You can also decide on one or more decorative color schemes, and even one or more basket types for each gift basket. Then when you’re ready to get started, you’ll have lists of supplies that must be purchased to create each basket. And if you have enough funding, you can buy enough supplies to create ten or twenty of each gift basket right from the start.

When buying supplies for your gift basket business, be sure to keep track of how much it costs to create each basket. You’ll need to know exactly how much your supplies cost, and also how much time it takes you to create each basket. This way you can price your products appropriately.

If you offer a gift basket in your business for instance, which costs $20 for supplies, but takes you 30 minutes to put together properly, you should not base the sales price of that gift basket on the cost of the items alone. You’ll need to work in a set fee for your time, plus profits as well. So for instance, if your time is valued at $20 per hour, you’d add $10 for the half hour it took you to create the basket. That’s a cost of $30. You’ll then want to add in a profit margin, and that’s generally anywhere from 20%-50% depending on the markets your gift basket business will cater too.

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