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Posted by Kenzi on June 26, 2000 at 17:34:28:

In Reply to: Re: Some more ranting. What a lovely topic! posted by Giselle on June 24, 2000 at 12:49:21:

: *smile* I use to think that husbands there must terrible
controlling
: beasts. However, I think now that the husbands and fathers of
Muslim
: society deeply love their women. Their society is actually an
: improvement to how life was for women before Muhammed the Prophet.
: It's not as free as our culture, but women born into that culture
: don't see it from our point of view. Their lifestyle is normal to
: them, and I do not feel sorry them.

I suggest a great book by Fatima Mernissi called "Beyond the Veil".
She gives evidence against the party line that Islam was an
improvement in the lives of women and cites an example of (hennaed)
women who rose up against Islam becase it denied them certain
freedoms that they were used to.

Futhermore, there is a huge difference between what the Quran says
and how its rules are applied. Simply compare Lebanon with
Afghanistan, for example. Female circumcision is a perfect example
of that divide between religion and custom. This practice is not
encouraged by Islam and actually predates it. In some countries,
Islam is used as an excuse for this practice.

You write: "It's not as free as our culture, but women born into that
culture don't see it from our point of view." Ask a Moroccan woman
who has her own income and an excellent job, a judge for example, if
she minds that she has to ask her husband for permission to leave the
country on a business trip. This is not just a cute anecdote but a
reality for many women in Morocco. And that ain't nothing compared
to other more restrictive Muslim countries.

I don't intend to attack you for what you say...in fact, I have said
the same things myself, but my research and personal conversations
with women in muslim countries has shown me another point of view.
The book by Mernissi will do a much better job than I can at
explaining the roots of men's and women's roles in a Muslim society.
I strongly recommend it.

Follow Ups:

Re: Book suggestion Giselle 19:35:30 6/27/00 (1)
- Re: Book suggestion Kenzi 19:55:36 6/27/00 (0)

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: : *smile* I use to think that husbands there must terrible : controlling : : beasts. However, I think now that the husbands and fathers of : Muslim : : society deeply love their women. Their society is actually an : : improvement to how life was for women before Muhammed the Prophet. : : It's not as free as our culture, but women born into that culture : : don't see it from our point of view. Their lifestyle is normal to : : them, and I do not feel sorry them. : I suggest a great book by Fatima Mernissi called "Beyond the Veil". : She gives evidence against the party line that Islam was an : improvement in the lives of women and cites an example of (hennaed) : women who rose up against Islam becase it denied them certain : freedoms that they were used to. : Futhermore, there is a huge difference between what the Quran says : and how its rules are applied. Simply compare Lebanon with : Afghanistan, for example. Female circumcision is a perfect example : of that divide between religion and custom. This practice is not : encouraged by Islam and actually predates it. In some countries, : Islam is used as an excuse for this practice. : You write: "It's not as free as our culture, but women born into that : culture don't see it from our point of view." Ask a Moroccan woman : who has her own income and an excellent job, a judge for example, if : she minds that she has to ask her husband for permission to leave the : country on a business trip. This is not just a cute anecdote but a : reality for many women in Morocco. And that ain't nothing compared : to other more restrictive Muslim countries. : I don't intend to attack you for what you say...in fact, I have said : the same things myself, but my research and personal conversations : with women in muslim countries has shown me another point of view. : The book by Mernissi will do a much better job than I can at : explaining the roots of men's and women's roles in a Muslim society. : I strongly recommend it.

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