Christian Women Vs Muslim Women

Muslim women and women of the Christian faith, have many similarities and yet so many differences as well. A great example of this is that both Christian women and Muslim women believe in monotheistic religions. In other words, these two widely known religions recognize that there is only one true God; however, they each see the others God as completely false. As a woman grows up in both of these religions, they are taught many things. Muslim women are raised to be overly submissive to a husband’s harsh treatment, they are required to adhere to a strict dress code, and to live a life with restricted freedoms. In contrast, Christian women are not. They are raised believing a strong relationship with God is essential, to be an equal “helper”

The Islamic faith requires women to adhere to a certain dress code. There are four well-known types of veils worn within Islam. Traditionally, women in the west are to wear what is called the “hijab”. This is most often seen throughout the U.S. and occasionally in the Arabian areas. This headdress consists of two scarves, and they cover the neck and head. The second most well known headdress is the “niqab” this veil covers the entire body, including the head and face, but has a slit located at eye level, leaving the eyes an opening to see. These are used through the whole Muslim culture, but are mostly seen in Gulf States. The “Chador” is another headdress that is commonly worn in the Middle East, specifically in Iran. These are full body shawls that are almost always black. These come together at the neck, and are usually held together by a pin or a woman’s hand. This fully covers the head and the body, but leaves the face completely visible. Lastly, the “Burqa” is a full body veil. It covers the body, the head, and face completely, leaving the Muslim woman to see out of a mesh screen over her eyes. These are commonly worn in Afghanistan and Pakistan (“A Brief History of the Veil in Islam”). The commands about Muslim dress are mainly seen within chapters 24 and 33 of the Qur’an. The Qur’an passage 24:30-33 says “to lower their gaze and to be mindful of their chastity.” Muslim women are

“The idea that Muslim women suffer greater oppression than the women of other faiths may, at first seem to be self evident to those who are unfamiliar with Islam, but with every dominate narrative, it is worth asking if popularly held ideas about the oppression of Muslim women are true. Does being born into a Muslim family or society condemn women to a life of oppression, servitude, and suffering? The answer is complex and may present a bit of a surprise.”(Daniel 140) Women of Islam almost always have to have permission from their husbands to do anything, even to obtain an education. In the Hadith, the Prophet Muhammad says, “To seek knowledge is an obligation on every Muslim, male and female”(Sunan Ibn Majah 224). Unfortunately, during the 20th century when education was opened to both boys and girls, women's education always came behind a man's. To this day Muslims often hold to believe that no matter how far in education a woman has gone she is not to ever teach a man. Teaching is not the only thing women in the Islamic faith are not allowed to do. “ Saudi women are not allowed to drive cars, and the Taliban in Afghanistan has forbidden women to work outside of the home”(Renard 318).It is one thing to have commandments, but it is another thing to be in a religion that controls all areas of your life.

Christian women do not have restricted freedoms, and do not go to