Islam: The Oppression Of Women In Islam

Women in the Islamic religion have been oppressed by the men in their own culture since the foundation of the religion by the prophet Muhammad in 610 A.D. To this day, female circumcision, the mistreatment of women and the inability for girls to attend school is still occurring in Muslim homes in both the Middle East and in European countries. This oppression and unjust inequalities are furthered by countries in Western Europe imposing a Burk Ban. In the time of Muhammad, women had little or no rights, as even the basic right of life was stripped from many young girls as they were buried alive in harsh times of economic troubles or food scarcity.1 Muhammad believed that under the eyes of God or Allah, men and women were equal beings, as Muhammad himself is reported to have said “You have rights over your women…and your women have rights over you,” showing his beliefs on women and men. He is considered by some to be a misogynistic polygamist, despite the disputing facts. Muhammad remarried after the death of his first wife, as their marriage had lasted twenty-five years. He later married thirteen wives but treated them with respect. Muhammad did household chores and helped with housework such as preparing food, sewing clothes and repairing shoes. He is also said to have had accustomed his wives to dialogue; he listened to their advice, and the wives debated and even argued with him. The concept of the virginity of a girl is a highly regarded point within the religion of Islam, as sometimes it is considered the “Virgins’ Cage” The men of Islam have oppressed the women of Islam for centuries, causing discrimination and oppression to this day. This unfortunate oppression and discrimination continues in European nations suc...

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...omething that should be forced upon anyone, it is a choice. The Qur’an does not say that a woman should be encased by a heavy garment from head to toe, but that both men and women alike should dress modestly. The burqa ban is a violation of religious freedom, limiting the expression of Muslims in France. The current issues of oppression against the women within the Muslim culture have existed throughout history, continuing in European nations today. To achieve equality amongst all, we as a humanistic world are who are trying to achieve equality must look past the veil that is the burka to achieve this equality, so the burqa ban must come to an end, but along with that, then end of the forced wearing of the burqa must also end. The women must be given the freedoms that so many indulge upon and be allowed to make decisions for them, the equality will be reached.