Contrary to public perception, Islamic scholars have debunked the notion that Islam limits women from aspiring to higher positions in life.

Former Dean of the faculty of Creative Arts at the Kumasi Technical University, Prof. Yakubu Seidu Peligah, believes society has failed to make a proper distinction between culture and religion.

At a religious and cultural dialogue in Kumasi, Professor Yakubu said preventing women from pursuing higher goals contradicts the teachings of Islam.

Alhaji Professor Peligah says the society has a huge role to play in bringing out the distinction.

“We are worried about how society limits women to the home. The teaching of the prophet is that it’s obligatory for men and women to seek knowledge and that directive applies to both. Denying a girl or woman education because she is a woman is not Islamic,” he said.

Sheikh Seebaway of the Department of Religious studies, KNUST adds that women and men can equally assume a higher societal or spiritual status.

Fatimah bin Muhammed was the youngest daughter of the prophet Muhammed and Wife Khadijah. She is the object of worship, love and respect of all muslims as she was the closest to her father, he said.

Margaret Makafui Tayviah of the department adds that Fatimah, like Christianity’s Mary, is a role model for all Muslim women.

The seminar was organized in partnership with the Cultural Consulate of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

The consulate stressed the need for the discourse to show love and tolerance for other faiths in order to promote unity in the country.