Since
the emergence of Islamic religion, the status of women has always been
protected as enshrined by the Quran. The lives of women in the Middle East and
Muslim world has always been subject to judgment and stereotypes who view Islam
as oppressive to women. The beliefs usually stem from the freedom, or lack
thereof, of dressing, or the otherwise ‘burden’ of raising children as wives
an
...[Show More]
Since
the emergence of Islamic religion, the status of women has always been
protected as enshrined by the Quran. The lives of women in the Middle East and
Muslim world has always been subject to judgment and stereotypes who view Islam
as oppressive to women. The beliefs usually stem from the freedom, or lack
thereof, of dressing, or the otherwise ‘burden’ of raising children as wives
and mothers in homes. Nonetheless, similar to any part of the world, there are
spectrums of different life experiences among humans.
The variation arises due to conflicting life issues including class, individual identity, geographical location, family traditions, and culture. The concept of women and religion, particularly in Islamic, requires consideration of the progressions made over the years, indigenous family practices, the Sharia law as well as policies instituted across Islamic nations. Subsequently, it enables one to understand the gender practices in Islamic states. For instance, the period it took to attain women’s suffrage in Oman following the attainment of independence.
A significant attention to Islamic women, particularly in the Middle East, reveals that Muslim women are protected as their rights are clearly encoded in religious texts such as the Quran. Although many Muslim women, like men, have suffered from inequality and restriction from certain practice, the general perception is adherence to religious laws is important. In the context of relationships between women and men, the Islamic religion strongly advocates the couples to be of Muslim faith. The Quran explicitly implicates the important role of Islam in relationships. Moreover, Islam strongly advocates for sexual abstinence, particularly among Muslim women. Virginity is sacred among the Islamic faithful since it fosters good relations and faith among the couples and observes the holy commands of Allah.
The stories of Love, InshAllah: The Secret Love Lives of American Muslim Women reveals
[Show Less]