This study looks at Laleh Bakhtiar´s ambitions when it comes to The Sublime Quran, her English translation of the Quran. It also contains a look at how it was received in English and American media, and how Bakhtiar and her like-minded defend her interpretation and translation against critics, focusing on verse 4:34.

<p>This study looks at Laleh Bakhtiar´s ambitions when it comes to <em>The Sublime Quran</em>, her English translation of the Quran. It also contains a look at how it was received in English and American media, and how Bakhtiar and her like-minded defend her interpretation and translation against critics, focusing on verse 4:34.</p>

Existing literature establishes a connection between elevating the status of women in less developed countries and positive political outcomes including: increased national stability, decreased likelihood of civil conflict, and international stability. In particular, the literature suggests that working within the dominant cultural framework of a country makes development projects more successful. This thesis expands upon these bodies of literature and examines the outcomes of the work of two major development agencies in Afghanistan, the UN and USAID in the area of women's education and healthcare. The thesis analyzes some specific characteristics that influence the effects of these programs in the Afghan context. It argues that when development agencies work within the unique cultural context of Afghanistan, and promote development gains for women within an Islamic framework, they are more likely to be effective than if they do not work within this framework. The thesis tests this hypothesis with a comparative qualitative analysis of the goals and accomplishes of the UN and USAID and compares the results of the analysis with survey data from The Asia Foundation Survey of the Afghan people, which provides data from 2006-2013 regarding attitudes of the Afghan people. Based on a qualitative analysis, the study's results, although tentative, identifies patterns of success using the Islamic framework.