Can Islam change? (cover story)

INTERPRETATION & construction of Islamic law; CHANGE in religion; RELIGIOUS law & legislation; MARRIAGE (Islamic law); DIVORCE (Islamic law); WOMEN (Islamic law); PROGRESSIVISM; ISLAMIC sociology; ISLAMIC customs & practices; PUNISHMENT (Islamic law); MUSLIM scholars; SOCIAL movements; RELIGIOUS movements; RELIGION

Offers a discussion about the reformation of Islam as of September 2004. Report that people are trying to develop a more humane interpretation of Islam; Importance of reformulating the Islamic law, called sharia; Reforms to marriage laws in India; Debate over the Hudood Ordinance in Pakistan, which gives the punishments for adultery, theft and other social problems; Statement that for most Muslims, changes to Islamic law have to be made within the boundaries of the Koran's teachings; Reference to the Islamic family law, introduced in Morocco, which grants rights to women; Role of religious scholars and leaders in giving the changes legitimacy; Suggestion that Islam's image needs to disassociated from violence and extremism; Changes being promoted by Muslim organizations in Malaysia.