Abstract:
In his study on the relationship between “Oil, Islam, and Women,” Michael L. Ross concludes that gender inequality in Arab states is influenced by oil rather than Islam.1 This is a captivating argument to me as a female from energy-rich Qatar who is most familiar with the legal rights granted to women. Throughout this paper, I challenge Ross‟ conclusions based on components of Sharia, and argue that Islam, as a basis for “Bedouin biases” is indeed the central cause for “gendered citizenship.”2 Further, reform is taking place in some countries as a result, rather than in spite, of oil revenues.
