Why do people think Muslim women are looked down upon?

Question

Does everyone think this about me? Why don't people just come up to me and ask their questions instead of being rude to me? I'd gladly tell them that I am not oppressed, that this is my choice, and that no one makes me cover this way or whatever.

Btw - I'm an American, born and raised in a Christian family. So my culture has nothing to do conditioning me to dress differently. :)

Answer 1

Assamaualaykum my sister. I think it is because most women and Westerners do not choose to read books on what Islam is really about. They think we are forced to cover(in Saudi they are), and that we are here only to sexually satisfy our husbands and make babies. I think they should take the time to make Muslim friends and get to know our ways, life and culture and then Insha ALLAH they will see that we are not oppressed. By the way I am also a American Muslim woman who is married to a Saudi man. ALLAH U AKBAR!

Answer 2

In my opinion the reason for this would be some of the Islamic countries and their clerics.

Saudi Arabia has laws that prohibit women to do certain things. Driving, voting in elections, being able to go to a restaurant and order food all alone, and the list goes on and on.
And it is not just Saudi Arabia, there are other countries too.
Lots of clerics talk about women like they are different creatures. There are numerous videos on the net where some clerics talk about women having half the brain that men have and they can't distinguish between right and wrong...

People would think that Muslim women are looked down upon when you have the so called "Islamic" countries with clerics that think and talk about women as if they are a lower creature.
So non-Muslims are not at fault here. Not completely. It is because of those countries and clerics.
So a change has to be done. Not at the non-Muslim part but at the Muslim part. If they respect their women, and give them their rights, and etc. then no one would think a thought like this.


By the way NO ONE should take this out of context and generalize it. Because only SOME of Islamic countries and SOME of clerics are doing these stuff...

EDIT:
And only one bad fruit is enough for those against a religion!

Answer 3

it doesn't have that much to do with how you feel about it. Let's suppose someone felt happy even though they weren't allowed to hold office, vote, drive an automobile, get into certain professions, etc. because of their gender. Since that person does NOT have the same rights and privileges that those of another gender do, then anyone who believes in CIVIL rights would see them as oppressed.

When all is said and done, there are 2 objective issues that cannot be simply avoided by saying "I'm happy this way." In the first place, there are women who WANT to exercise their rights and CANNOT. You should not presume to represent them. The second point is that humanity is deprived of the talents and contributions these women might make.

My point? A woman can be as limited as she wants to be, but it's a shame that it's also imposed on her daughter.

Answer 4

Where do you live?
In the 'west'?
If so, not a realistic question.
Try being a woman in Taliban Afhganistan a little while ago, in Saudi Arabia right now.
Women used to be glorified in ancient times and then the Middle East crowd - and that includes the cradle of christianity - suddenly deemed women to be secondary to men's dominance and to be mere sex objects, children factories and domestic servants.
Oh to be a woman in Somalia, Ethiopia, Sudan ... NOT!!!
I realise that this is a generalisation but the facts remain as true today as they did some many years ago.
If the questioner lives in the US, the question is invalid and I doubt that forced female circumcision has occurred.
Islam is an evil practice pretending to be the opposite.

Finally, anyone who believes that there is a god is living in a fantasy world and needs to wake up soon.

Answer 5

Although I come from a Christian background some of my best friends are Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Christian and atheist. There are enough common values between people to allow that to happen. I am sorry that you feel that you are being looked down upon, but I am afraid that you have to be aware that there are many ignorant and unpleasant people in this world and we all have to put up with them one way or another.

Answer 6

Some people have that misconception. I do try to be open.

However, I guess we don't understand your ways and can only go by what we see on TV and what we read in the newspapers.

One incident that I heard about was that you have to walk behind your husband, not beside him, in public, you cannot sit next to him in a car etc., you must be veiled in the presence of other men because it would be an insult to your husband if they looked upon you, your face being for his eyes only, and that if you are not obedient you can be physically reprimanded.

So its probably these types of images that cause people to think that Muslim men don't consider you equal or that you don't have the same rights.

Answer 7

Salam alaikom Sister!

I think it is because it is easier to look down upon us than to get to know us and understand our views. I think that they are more oppressed personally, made to dress to impress men, made to mix with the sexes, made to think alcohol and miniskirts are "no big deal".

I find that the x-tians that get to know me really grow to respect our community and faith.

I met a gal once who had to work to help support a two income family. She said I was lucky to be home with my kids. I quickly said there was no luck to it, its my husband's obligation. Should I choose to work that money is all mine. (of course I would use it to spoil my husband and kids). This was most eye-opening to her.

I could go on.

Hopefully we can make a difference by explaining our path to others, insha'allah

M'salama

Answer 8

Because much of the world is filled with feminists. They don't know what it's like to be a wife. Sure, they might be married, but they really don't act as wives. It's all greed. "I want, I want, I want."
They refuse to let men support them b/c somehow THAT is oppression.
I certainly think you should be able to leave the house alone, and be free in that way. But you're probably much better wives than we will ever be.

Answer 9

As salaamun alaikum muslimah. I for one love muslimahs whom are wrapped in garments and earnestly desire allah to address those whom submit to the will of allah to address HIS friends on the day of resurection, "O you, wrapped in garments". And embrace HIS abd with graces that can come from none other than HE alone inshallah. I mean, there are many muslim women whom have conformed to the standards of today's society and I see nothing wrong with it(personally). As long as they still follow the qu'ran and not let desires get the best of them inshallah. Then it is up to men to lower our gaze alumdulillah. Everytime I see a muslimah with a hijab on, my first impulse is to show mighty respect in my heart for whom they(you) are to allah. The best of women. If people actually picked up a book and tried to comprehend whom their creator is, they would not belie. If people mock, thier own arrogance will catch up to them one day. So, just stay on the right path alhumdulillah and ilah bless. Salaam!

Answer 10

This same exact statement was made to me by a man who is a chauvinist and I'm sure he was just trying to get me to think like him. I'm pretty sure you're a man posing as a woman to hide or justify the Islamic mistreatment of women.