If the stereotypical Muslim woman is an oppressed one, then the archetypal Muslim male is responsible for her condition. In news stories, popular entertainment media and even video games, the image of the violent, misogynistic or abusive Muslim man is present time and again.
To be sure, bad apples exist in every religious, ethnic and racial group. But there is a dearth of positive Muslim portrayals to counteract such negative images on TV or the big screen. As a result, your everyday regular Omars and Mohammeds are sometimes viewed with suspicion and fear.
As 2011 draws to a close, we take a moment to recognize the following Muslim men -- fathers, brothers, husbands, academics, advocates and religious leaders -- selected by others for their individual contributions to the lives of women and, thus, humanity at large:
Asim Rehman (36, New York): Asim is in-house counsel who volunteers his time representing domestic violence victims. Asim's wife describes him as a "fabulous" partner who encourages her intellectual pursuits. Asim has turned down professional opportunities requiring relocation so that his wife can remain in her NYC post, which she loves. The couple is expecting their first child and Asim "cooks, cleans and grocery shops without complaining." His wife says she "can't imagine a better partner than Asim."
Shyam K. Sriram (32, Georgia): A college professor, Shyam is known for his stance against violence against women and girls. In less than one year, he helped a fledgling initiative -- Muslim Men Against Domestic Violence -- become a viable one. Muslim Men Against Domestic Violence trains Muslim men how to teach others that violence against women and girls is Islamically impermissible.
Abed Awad (42, New Jersey): Abed was recognized by his colleagues for the work he has done on behalf of Muslim women both as a past Board Member of KARAMAH: Muslim Women Lawyers for Human Rights, and on the legal front. An accomplished attorney with his own practice, he has earned a reputation for defending women's rights in religious divorces and other family law disputes.
Davi Barker (30, California): An artist and writer, Davi's wife -- an activist, attorney and community leader -- described him in this way: "He is exactly what I dreamed of when I thought I wanted to marry a man who lived his life and marriage through his faith. Religion, and more specifically 'love and mercy' dictate everything he does in our relationship. His support is what makes my work as [head of a civil rights organization] possible. From being understanding when I have a difficult case or am coming home late regularly to helping with the graphic design for [my organization] and carrying more than a fair share of chores around the house ... I couldn't do this without him."
Imam Mohamed Magid (40ish, Virginia): Imam Magid is the Imam of the All Dulles Area Muslim Society (ADAMS Center) located in Sterling, Va. He is also President of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA). Imam Magid was referenced by a congregant who characterized him as, "One of the biggest advocates out there for women's rights." He conducts domestic violence prevention training seminars for other Imams around the country and serves on the Board of Directors of Peaceful Families, a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to ending domestic violence in Muslim families.
Omar Sharif (29, California): Omar was a U.S. Peace Corps volunteer in Uganda who spearheaded numerous small business projects which placed women at the forefront.
Mohamed Tantawi (38, New Jersey): Mohamed's wife says of him: "He's a great pediatrician, he does most of the cooking (and well too), he sings at Carnegie Hall. Most importantly, he does all that is in his power to preserve our family dynamic, one in which he is an active partner."
Ahmad Hussain (28, California): Currently in Nashville, Tenn., completing his surgical residency, Ahmad was also suggested for inclusion on this list by his wife, a filmmaker in California. She remarked about the breadth of sacrifices Ahmed has made for her. For instance, when she indicated her willingness to sacrifice her filmmaking career which requires her to spend half her time in Los Angeles in order to stay with him in Tennessee, he was adamantly opposed to her doing so: "He said he wouldn't be happy with himself if he kept me from becoming a filmmaker. He said it makes him happy to see me doing these things. ... I know it kills him -- he's tired, he's lonely, he's hungry -- but he can't be convinced."
Abdul H. Abdullah (67, Georgia): Abdul is the Chief Financial Officer of Baitul Salaam Residence for Abused and Neglected Women and Children. In addition to contributing his time and money to the organization, he also allows battered women to seek refuge at his private family business when they are in trouble.
Taraq Chand (late 60s, New Jersey): A father of four daughters and one son, he has taught his children that Islam supports women's rights. As a result his daughters are all professionals: a doctor, chemical engineer, pharmacist and soon-to-be-lawyer.
Sheikh Abdala Adhami (Washington, D.C.): Sheikh Adhami is an Islamic scholar who has been serving the Muslim community in the U.S. for more than 20 years. A Washington, D.C. native, he was praised by several women including a New Jersey Muslim mom who described him in the following manner: "Simply a magnificent person, he spoke endlessly on women's rights in Islam, with the notion that women should know their rights and men should know in order to protect these rights, and any infringements on those rights are seen as a crime in God's eyes. He spoke of the many prominent women throughout Islamic history... and how men would travel far and wide to study at their feet. He lectured on how women, even at the time of the Prophet [Muhammed], owned their own businesses and how this money was solely theirs -- to be shared with her family at her discretion, and any money she gave to her family was a charity... [His message] was in stark contrast to what we hear from the Taliban. It brought a peace and comfort and nourished a true connection with one's Lord -- and that is what religion is supposed to do."
Nabile Safdar (35, Maryland): An accomplished doctor who recently returned from a volunteer mission to Haiti where he provided much needed medical care, Nabile is a father to three young daughters. He delivers religious sermons to his local community preaching against spousal abuse while urging men to treat women with dignity and respect.
Ezat Yosafi (Connecticut): Born in Afghanistan, Ezat was recognized by his daughter, posthumously. She attributes her professional accomplishments as an attorney to her father's guidance and advice. He passed away in Connecticut in 2008.
Furqan Ahmed (27, New Jersey): Furqan's wife says that he is "someone who has made law school a more tolerable experience. ... It is not easy to be married to a law student as law school ... involves such a dedication of time and effort. But he really pushes me to do more and presses me to follow up with law firms. ... I think it is really helpful to have someone who is a partner in all aspects."
Ali Hussain (63, Massachusetts): Ali's daughter notes, "He's coached me in multiple ways with my career, helping me overcome hurdles, to be confident in new situations, maintain integrity, be bold yet gracious in asserting my needs. He also encourages [my sisters and me] to dream big and sometimes dreams for us even bigger than we do."
Prophet Muhammad (posthumously): He is considered by Muslims to be the seal to a long line of God's prophets and messengers beginning with Adam. The Prophet Muhammad's private relationships were based on open communication and mutual respect. He never asked anyone to wait on him and participated in household chores and childcare; he used to mend his own clothes, play with children and perform chores around the home. He promoted and nurtured the education of women (e.g. Aisha bint Abu Bakr). He never raised his hand against anyone in his household. He chastised the Muslim men who dared to strike their wives. In the words of the woman who praised him, "He was kind and respected women and asked men to do the same."
While the Muslim men included above are deserving of our collective support, recognition and accolades, this list is by no means an exhaustive one. Rather, these men are representative of many more Muslims whose names are not included here but whose lives and contributions are similarly noteworthy.
If I may humbly suggest, perhaps this year Hollywood can make the following addition to its collective list of new year resolution: more positive portrayals of the American Muslim community. After all, an image of the Muslim advocate effectively representing the rights of his (or her) female Muslim client in a religious divorce or the imam educating his congregation of Muslim women's equal social status is a truer realization of art imitating life.
On the subject of accolades, a note about Muslim culture. "Mashallah" is a word frequently heard used between Muslims. It literally means "whatever God wills." And it is often said in response to hearing about a person's good deed or impressive accomplishment.
Mashallah.
Engy Abdelkader is a Legal Fellow with the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding, a think tank based in Washington, D.C.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbRqkLU8SJ0
Islam is indeed a sexist religion; but sexist in favor of women; not men. In fact, its concept of women's rights was so revolutionary, that early enemies of Islam opposed the Prophet Muhammad's (saws) message of rights and respect for women. Now that Islam has grown and reached every country of the world, there is great fear of its spread, so hate groups will start spreading mis-translations and interpretations of Qur'anic verses in order to spread fear.
That must explain why men are allowed to beat their wives, why women inherit half that of men, and why a woman's word is worth half that of a man's in court.
2- some comments below were about Ayah 4:34:
"Men shall take full care of women with the bounties with which God has favoured some of them more abundantly than others, and with what they may spend of theirown wealth. The righteous women are devout, guarding the intimacy which God has ordained to be guarded".
There is nothing odd about this ayah except for those who try to twist meanings of the words
Read its tafseer -exegesis here: http://falsehoodgo.webs.com/foryou.htm
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A bad apple is a deviant from accepted standards.
Is a Muslim male who treats females as somewhat lesser beings deviating from Islamic norms?
Here are some of the norms of Islamic law—judge for yourself:
p42.1: Allah Most High says:
"Men are the guardians of women, since Allah has been more generous to one than the other, and because of what they [men] spend from their wealth. So righteous women will be obedient, and in absence watchful, for Allah is watchful. And if you fear their intractability warn them, send them from bed, or hit them. But if they obey you, seek no way to blame them. (Koran 4:34)"
"m2.3 It is unlawful for a man to look at a woman who is not his wife or one of his unmarriageable kin (def: m6.1) (O: there being no difference in this between the face and hands or some other part of a woman (N: if it is uncovered)[....]
A majority of scholars (n: with the exception of some Hanafis, as at m2.8 below) have been recorded as holding that it is unlawful for women to leave the house with faces unveiled" [....]
continued--
Why in the world would you imply that Muslims today would be interested in abiding by what it says?
Is this just another rhetorical question?
Muslims today, like everyone else, have inherited centuries of cultural and religious baggage. This attitudinal baggage is handed down, in the case of Muslims, through the higher institutions of Islamic learning that train scholars, judges and Imams.
The curriculum at those institutions is based on classic jurisprudence such as what I quote here, and has been for centuries--it explains the consistency of the problems in Muslim majority countries. It is the anachronistic DNA of Islam. Muslims who act according to its doctrines are causing problems and it needs reform.
That's why your focus on Westernized Muslims is misleading. You are pointing to the exception, the atypical, the un orthodox and saying that's what Islam is. That is no way to fix the problem.
The world's strongest man is stronger than the world's strongest woman
The world's fastest man is faster than the world's fastest woman
The world's tallest man is taller than the world's tallest woman
If you don't believe me, you can look it up and confirm that there is a degree of separation between men and women. In some species, females are larger than the males, but for human beings, men have a degree of difference.
The verse stands as it is and does not need any defense or justification.
I like your argument because it is very primitive and speaks volumes about your religion.
According to it all men who are shorter slower weaker than women are in fact inferior to women.
"m4.4 When the father or father’s father see that the best advantage is to be served by marrying a young boy (or girl) to someone, they may do so, though they are not entitled to marry the child to someone with a physical defect (dis: m7) that legally permits annulment of the marriage."
[...]
"GUARDIANS WHO MAY MARRY A VIRGIN TO A MAN WITHOUT HER CONSENT
m3.13
[...]
(2) [...]
Whenever the bride is a virgin, the father or father's father may marry her to someone without her permission, though it is recommended to ask her permission if she has reached puberty.
A virgin's silence is considered as permission." [...]
http://www.shafiifiqh.com/maktabah/relianceoftraveller.pdf
Allah Almighty said in the Noble Quran: "O ye who believe! Ye are forbidden to inherit women against their will. Nor should ye treat them with harshness, that ye may take away part of the dower [money given by the husband to the wife for the marriage contract] ye have given them, except where they have been guilty of open lewdness; on the contrary live with them on a footing of kindness and equity. If ye take a dislike to them it may be that ye dislike a thing, and God brings about through it a great deal of good. (The Noble Quran, 4:19)"
Narrated Abdullah ibn Umar: "The Prophet (peace_be_upon_him) said: Consult women about (the marriage of) their daughters. (Translation of Sunan Abu-Dawud, Marriage (Kitab Al-Nikah), Book 11, Number 2090)"
Narrated Abdullah ibn Abbas: "A virgin came to the Prophet (peace_be_upon_him) and mentioned that her father had married her against her will, so the Prophet (peace_be_upon_him) allowed her to exercise her choice. (Translation of Sunan Abu-Dawud, Marriage (Kitab Al-Nikah), Book 11, Number 2091)"
Our posts above confirm that.
How can any religious law that is so self contradictory create moral practitioners?
Sharia's internal contradictions allow bin Laden and those who agree with him to think of themselves as a good Muslims because Sharia law embraces the killing of Allah's enemies with contradictory definitions of that status.
Until Muslims are able and willing to introduce some consistency into the conflicting interpretations of the Koran, Islam as a whole will be rightly seen--and treated--as a loose cannon on the global deck, a speeding freight train with no engineer at the controls.
Theological irresponsibility on this massive scale is unacceptable because the inevitable consequences of it are likely to be massively lethal.
As is usual in religions, the majority of the practitioners of Islam are unaware of the implications of their belief. You are not one of those.
Islam is structured to respond to the authority of the caliph. It's long past time to change that, but still not too late.
-Noam Chomsky
-Glenn Greenwald
-Michael Moore
-Norman Finkelstein
-Jon Stewart
Peace.
Paradise lies under the feet of the mother. (Prophet Muhammad)
Your best companion to whom you should confide in is your mother, your mother, your mother and then your father. (Prophet Muhammad)
"Your women are your fields, so go into your fields whichever way you like . . . ." - Sura 2:223
". . . Wives have the same rights as the husbands have on them in accordance with the generally known principles. Of course, men are a degree above them in status . . ." - Sura 2:228
To a few Americans, those who do not live the same lifestyle as them are being "oppressed." These sentiments aren't just towards different countries, but also towards other people. My experiences with my Muslim friends show that Muslims are especially people of faith, and they practice their faith. I respect their lifestyle decisions more than that of an American's. Muslims don't drink alcohol. Americans think alcohol is "required" to have fun. I think Islam is the religion with the highest number of followers that actually practice what they preach, and so some people might confuse the strict lifestyle with oppression. For example, American feminists, who constantly rail against virginity (without any success), because to them, being a virgin is being "oppressed by the patriarch," will think a Muslim woman is being oppressed because she didn't engage in premarital sex. Muslim men honor their women, and wouldn't even dare to pressure them into having sex, because once again, both the Muslim men and women practice what they preach.
"Islam is a religion that has an inherent political ideology that is misogynistÂic."
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Both those premises are incorrect.
"Inherent political ideology" is a very charged way to state the reality of Shariah, which is: historically, in Muslim-majority societies, Shariah was a catch-all term for all law, religious and societal. Currently, many Muslim-majority societies have a provision in their constitution stating that "Shariah shall be the highest law" or some such, but that doesn't imply the laws of that nation have any direct connection with Shariah.
Most applicably, though, a key provision of individual Shariah observance, for Muslims, is that they must obey the laws of the land in which they live. So, American Muslims are literally required to follow the laws of the land in order to follow their religion. American Muslims' low crime statistics indicate that they take this seriously.
Also, Islam and Shariah are far from inherently misogynistic - from the time Islam began (7th century) until the 19th and 20th centuries in much of the world, women had far *more* rights in Islamic societies than they did in any other societies.
There's a lot of misinformation about Muslims and Islam these days -- I highly recommend doing your own research (aka Googling), especially if you've gotten information from anti-Islam sources.
Mohammed himself married a girl aged 6, but did not have sex with her until she was 9.
The Koran supports misogny, with suras such as 2:223 "Your wife is a tilth for you, so go to your tilth when or how you will," (that is, according to al-Hilali and Khan, anything but anal sex is allowed), sura 2:282 requiring two women witnesses for one male witness, or sura 4:34, in dealing with wives that disagree with the husband, "beat them (lightly)," or the suras and hadiths supporting stoning and/or flogging of accused aldulteresses, and the need to have four witnesses of a rape to actually defend oneself against a charge of fornication deserving of such punishment, or even an honor killing. Until such suras and hadiths themselves are attacked, misogny will continue, not in shame, but in honor of the commands and example of Muhammed.
I'm presuming you mean ultra-fundamentalist, ultra-dogmatic interpretations of Islam, such as those followed by the Taliban, the current governments of Iran and Saudi Arabia, etc.
Those interpretations are actually a very small percentage of all interpretations of Islam, as is true in all religions. And, like their counterparts in all religions, those interpretations are misogynistic.
If you look at American Muslims in general, though, you'll see respect for women that's at least on par with the rest of society -- at least.
I'm not a scholar or has decent knowledge to answer your other questions but if you would like to know the reasons/wisdom behind it, then i will do some research and get you the answers to your questions. Please do let me know.
A lot of people presume that ultra-dogmatic interpretations of Islam are the only interpretations, and that's not true.
The majority of interpretations of Islam are not misogynistic.
Chances, just based on the low percentages in Islam and all religions of hardcore, ultra-dogmatic adherents, that the men named above don't interpret teachings of Islam dogmatically in the first place.