Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a Muslim woman?

Question

I have. As an American woman, I think it would be better to die than to be treated the way that many Muslim women are treated.

I just finished a book in one day, entitled Forbidden Love. It was written by Norma Khouri. She wrote this book about her best friend of 22 years who was murdered because she fell in love with a Catholic man. Her family called it an "honor killing." I call it cold blooded and cowardly murder. Her father stabbed her 12 times as she slept. The woman's name was Dalia. She was still a virgin when she died, but her father called her a whore and when they buried her, she wasn't even placed in a coffin and he wouldn't even give her the dignity of a tombstone. He wouldn't allow her name to be mentioned in his house again. Does that sound like the love a father has for a daughter? I don't think so. What causes such contempt for women in the Middle East? Why do they hate women so?

So called honor killings still take place to this day in the Middle East for the most trivial of reasons. The offending woman may be murdered for taking too long with the laundry or because she was raped. Yes, the woman is always blamed if she is raped and her family is duty bound to kill her to preserve their "honor". The following is some information that I obtained after I read the book.

Honor killings occur for a variety of offenses, including allegations of premarital or extramarital sex, refusing an arranged marriage, attempting to obtain a divorce, or simply talking with a man. If a woman brings shame to the family, her male relatives are bound by duty and culture to kill her. "A woman shamed is like rotting flesh," a Palestinian merchant tells me. "If it is not cut away, it will consume the body. What I mean is the whole family will be tainted if she is not killed."

This, among many other things, make me feel so grateful to be an America woman. We have basic freedoms that we take for granted every day. How sad and how hopeless it must be to live as the Muslim woman has to live, in constant fear, in constant oppresion.

Answer 1

oh my god its not really like that, those are extreme people and that doesnt happen so much any more....i mean u cant just read one book and form an opinion like that! most muslims are peaceful people who just wanna fit into the world....i was raised christian and had all the freedoms in the world, i met my husband who is lebanese and muslim, he never asked me to convert or anything, i just started reading about it on my own, so i converted to it and my life has been a thousand times better being a muslim woman.

It isint sad and hopeless to live that way, yes maybe in some families but those are extreme examples! its people like u who make others have bad opinions of muslims by spreading these words, if u read something keep it to yourself. I feel that all women are missing out on being muslim, its the best thing ever. I have freedom, i have a good life..i have never felt opressed once since converting..read some other books on islam and get some better education about it.

Answer 2

Your question contains a lot of misleading hints.First of all the behavior you have mentioned does not apply to Muslims only.The behavior applies to Middle East Christians as well ,when their daughters marry or fell in love with Muslims.The matter has nothing to do with religion if you have some education on Anthropology.By the way the Muslims are not only in the Middle East as you are trying to suggest.Finally you should visit the middle East countries and live with the people if you are looking for the truth.These countries host many employees & their families from the West including the Americans and you should try to meet some of those families to know their experiences also.If you think that you are right other people have their own logic that you are wrongul.The matter does not pertains only to religions but to deep rooted customs in countries of Non-muslims as well.

Answer 3

No, I don't wonder about that at all.

But just because you're "over here" doesn't make you safe. MLK said unjustice anyware affects everyone everywhere. You should never feel comfortable when you know there are people in the world suffering like that. There are things you can do, organizations that assist women in these situations. One off hand that I know is www.womenforwomen.org.

All muslim women don't suffer like that. The main problem is poverty over religion. The poorer the country is the more likely you will see women/children treated like dogs.

Answer 4

Is it the fault of the religion, or the country? What makes the USA great is the separation of church and state. You can be any religion you want here...you have that right. But, here in the USA we also have laws that protect people.



I believe that if Herin lies the problem..... Muslim is a religion, and organized religion has been the source of violence and oppression since the beginning of time. Read a few books about the Crusades. Read this: http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_cru1.htm

Answer 5

I have a Muslim friends before and they said they hate their lives bec. they can not even choose which man they can have for life time partner. I didn't know on that first bec. i didn't know about the Culture of Muslims but i was thinking on what they said and it comes out in my mind that Muslims men are sooo selfish. Men can able to marry a multiple women but women not. Bec. of money Muslims men can make multiple girls as long as what they want. AND WHAT THE ******* LAW THEY IMPLEMENT ON THEIR COMMUNITY IF THEY TREAT THE WOMEN LIKE THAT?

Answer 6

i have. in fact i am a muslim lady and i dont think all you have said is true in fact in my country (nigeria) the muslim woman has the same right as the muslim man.even though i fall in love with a catholic man, my father has the right to disown me but he doesnt have the right to kill me. and as we all know killing is a sin in the sight of GOD.and you know what i have never even heard about "honor killings". and by the way how are you sure that the story you read is a true life story or it was written by a muslim woman? i am a muslim woman and i am proud of being who i am..............

Answer 7

I am an American Muslim woman... and I am moving to a middle eastern country soon. I think your opnion is biased and you are swayed to easilly by books. If you are as educated as you seem, then You should know that "honor killings" have nothing to do with our religion, it has to do with old backwards culture issues. Rela Muslim men revere and honor women. Belive me, I should know.

Answer 8

I was practicing islam for a few years and was blinded by the traditions.... i realized there was no iner peace only hard wokring deeds from myself out. There was no way Allah was going to meet me 1/2 way. It was only by my works....
I read so much about woman and muslim countries and visited a few. Country (few countries) have their own traditions. But I am thankfull I was not born in to an islamic family

Answer 9

Nope, I haven't. Doesn't seem like it's in a woman's best interest to be a member of a religion that gives her reduced rights relative to a man though.

Answer 10

I'm just very glad I live in a country where I can choose what to believe and how to live.

I would never join a religion that treats me like a second class citizen no matter what religion it is.