The present paper focuses on the conflict of the two main identity maker factors for a modern Muslim woman: the Islamic rules and modernity's manifestations. In some Middle-Eastern societies, because of the strong social religious structures and depth of the personal religious beliefs, this conflict has more severity. In this paper, with a descriptive-analytical method, the possible conflicts are categorized into three main categories: women's rights, women's social roles, and emotional issues.

more »

... The three possible ways to decrease the conflicts are identified as follows:1) "The network right-orientated" approach: the Islamic rules, as a coherent network, must not be changed, but, the obligation-oriented approach to the Islamic rules has to be replaced by a rights-orientated approach. 2) "The minimal change" approach: the main structure of the Islamic rules must be kept, however, some cultural rules could be changed. 3) "The maximal change" approach: The theological propositions and prayer rules of Islam must be kept. However, everyday life, social, and rights rules could be changed according to modern conditions. The successfulness of the special approach depends on personal and social conditions. Muslim societies must select the best manner to give the modern Muslim woman her identity. Among these factors, the Islamic rules and modernity's manifestations are the two main outer factors which form, correspondingly, the two inner identity makers for a MMW. Because some Islamic rules are not apparently agreeable with modern situations, there could be a conflict between the inner and outer factors. This creates an important challenge for the identity of a MMW. In Middle-Eastern countries, especially, because of the strong religious social structures and depth of Islamic beliefs, this problematic conflict is more serious. Therefore, on the one hand Muslim societies must find the conflict points between Islamic rules and modernity's manifestations, on the other hand the best solution to decrease this conflict is imperative. On this basis, the present paper attempts to respond to the following problems: 1) In which subjects do modern situations and Islamic rules, as the two identity makers 4 for a MMW, pose a possible conflict? 2) What solutions could be offered to reduce the conflicts caused by these subjects? To respond to these problems, this paper -with an analytical method and a theological approach 5 -tries to analyze Islamic texts, and women's situations in a few Islamic countries. 6 4 . In this paper, when we use the term "identity makers," we mean both inner and outer factors. 5 . In the present paper, the main approach is a theological one. But, we need the historical, sociological, and political backgrounds to progress the discussion. In other words, we will use the results of the other knowledge to help our theological approach. 6 . We are not going to discuss the modernity and its aspects. In fact, neither Islam nor modernity is focused upon in this paper. But, the conflict between these factors is important. The main focus is the identity of a modern Muslim woman. 7 . In the present paper, the term "Pagan" is applied to the cultural period of Arabs before the emergence of the Islam. 8 These are according to classical numbering of hadiths.