Does the Koran render women as second class citizens? Do the holy verses say that women are incapable of handling their own affairs or that they are the wards of someone else?

These were among the questions raised by women's rights activist Zaitun Mohamed Kasim in a paper "Roles of Muslim women in the family and society: rights and responsibilities" at a recent seminar.

She blamed the misunderstanding over women's role and rights on human intervention which brings the strengths, weaknesses and biasness to the process of interpreting the Koran.

Citing Surah An-Nisa and Al-Bara'ah , she said the Koran makes it clear that men and women are equal in origin and status, with the deeds of both being of equal value.

She reasoned that out of all the knowledge required to interpret the Koran and the Sunnah (the traditions of Prophet Muhammad), including methodologies, considerations, juristic views and subsequent laws, only the Koran is divine.