CSUN students gathered at the University Student Union’s Grand Salon on Monday to learn more about the role of women in Islam in an event sponsored by the Muslim Student Association.

The event, which drew approximately 60 to 70 students, was held in the last week of Women’s History Month, which has seen other events on CSUN’s campus.

The event, which offered refreshments to students, ran from noon to 3 p.m., and began with monologues given by three students, who portrayed female role models, including an Iraqi Minister of Environment, a rape survivor and a human rights activist.

After the monologues, two women talked about the role of women in Islam, and the changing interpretations of women’s responsibilities and power. The two main speakers were Dr. Nayereh Tohidi, chair of CSUN’s women’s studies department, and Dr. Laila Al-Marayati, chair of the Muslim Women’s League.

After Tohidi and Al-Marayati spoke, the audience had a question and answer session with the two women on everything from homosexuality to female circumcision to occupations.