Islam as a "Sexist" Religion

Paper Summary:

Muslim women, throughout the centuries, have habitually been categorized, stereotyped, downsized and even degraded into a 'lower class', compared with the status of Muslim men. Through the personal translations of the Holy Qu'ran, the societal system during the coming of the Prophet Mohammed around 570 A.D. and general unease, Muslim women have often been denigrated into inequitable and unseen positions. Their stereotyped duties required them merely to get married (where possible), have children and raise them (again where possible), and look after all household duties. Recently, with globalization at the forefront of our 'accepting' and 'non-stereotypical' pluralist multi-cultural societies, this notion of the inequality of women has been frequently questioned. This essay discusses the notion that Islam is a sexist and oppressive religion. It includes a brief explanation of the Holy Qu'ran and Hadiths and how interpretations of these writing's have led to varied practices of the faith among the vast Muslim populations. The essay touches on the many inconsistencies in the equality of men and women. Particular attention is given to the traditions of marriage, the veil and segregation as well as the varying views on these practices. Ultimately, this essay offers differing attitudes on the oppressiveness of women in the Islamic faith.

From the Paper:

"Yet differences do occur within Muslim countries as to the degree of segregation of the sexes. For example, women in Afghanistan are discouraged to leave the house, while it is acceptable for women in Malaysia and Iran, for instance, to work in mixed offices and play sport (Gaoutte, N, 2001). For much of the Muslim world, women are still excluded from public space. This inequality not only denies women of opportunity but inhibits the meritocratic spirit of men and makes these countries much less productive (Landes, D; Landes, R, 2001). This is an example of why many other non-Muslim nations, in today's capitalist world, find the Muslim faith to be backward."

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