Western Views of Women in Islam Essay - 1053 Words

Before venturing into the ideals and movements of Islamic feminism, it is important to recognize some of the biased views Westerners often take when it comes to women in Islam. Because of the portrayal of women in the Arab world through pop-culture and the media, some Westerners may believe that Islam creates a society in need of modernity. The concepts of religious government are also foreign to the Western world. Feminists often focus on the practice of veiling women in Islamic tradition as a law made to minimize the importance of women as citizens. It is important for us to recognize where our biased views exist, and what sorts of root assumptions we make about women in Islam. The truth is, Islamic culture†¦show more content†¦Many Muslim women desire Western feminists to accept women’s right to choose instead of being encouraged to follow a western model of liberation. Nationally known Islamic theologian Riffat Hassan says: â€Å"Koranic law does give women many rights, to own property, to be independent financially. They can keep their own names (when they marry). At the same time, what has happened is a lot like Judaism and Christianity. The law has developed within a patriarchal framework. If the Koran were properly implemented, there wouldn’t be any discrimination against women† (star trib, p. 1). Much of the appeal of Islam is its structure. Islam, like Catholicism, gives a place and a role to everyone, which in turn, gives a sense of security to each member. Many women find freedom in the structured life of Islam. Some women view customs such as veiling, as a way to distinguish themselves and their Islamic identity. Their lives are ordered by putting their spiritual lives first, praying five times a day, and finding unity within their community. Many women look at the Western world and are discouraged by the divorce rate, the number of workaholics, the increased crime and child abuse. Often the structure and strict nature of the Arab world seems more appealing than the loose and chaotic world of the west. In the book â€Å"Modernist and Fundamentalist Debates in Islam: A Reader†, chapter 14 is titled â€Å"The rights of women†.Show MoreRelatedThree Western Religions and their View on Women: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam636 Words   |  3 Pagesstudies the three most significant and most commonly known western religion Judaism, Christianity, and Islam in terms of the role that the woman played and a brief synopsis of the religions itself. Religion is a system of human though which usually includes a set of narratives, symbols, beliefs and practices that give meaning to the practitioner’s experiences of life through reference to a higher power, deity, or ultimate truth. 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