A section of poor Muslim women often face the brutality of a male-dominated society. Women and girls all over the world(of all religions and nationalities)are not safe from violence and exploitation in the so called ‘age of globalization and information technology’. We still love to follow the cruel adaptations of our primitive lives that structured our religious and national identities.
It pains me to read widespread reports of ‘Honour Killings‘ among the Islamic society. According to old Muslim values, its the female who bears the family decency and the males are to defend it at any cost. In simple words, its the woman or girl who must pay with her life for any dishonor that befalls upon her family and society due to her actions. In most Arab societies, women are solely responsible for the protection of their virginity, the loss of her most precious asset in incidents, other than in proper marriage, would inevitably lead to death.
Most honor killings are done by the girl’s own family members. Sometimes it is astounding when people justify honor killings in the name of Islam. I am absolutely sure that the Great Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, would not have advised such horrific followings. The killings are extensions of old Arab and nomadic rituals that have been in existence long before Islam’s advent to this plane.
Due to the raising of voice among many Muslim women with the help of media, we are coming to know the senseless violence that are being meted out to the women who knowingly or even mistakenly fail to follow the rigorous steps. These conservative religious teachings are results of personal radical ambitions and age-old beliefs of depriving the feminine society.
Media is not the only way of relieving these poor women. The time has come for the heads of states to come up with modern ideas to combat radicalism and blind beliefs.
Image: Hinduonnet
Source: Boston Globe
Comments
As a Christian woman, I cannot understand why women of all faiths and country origin don’t band together and put an end to this horror. There simply isn’t enough time to wait for an Islamic ”Reformation” or ”Enlightenment” such as Martin Luther did with the Catholic Church. The situation is much to dire to wait another 100 years as we watch women and children being treated like beasts. We need to put an end to this.
Quote by JulieA
Well said Julie, this is exactly what the world is in need today.It is with great and sad interest that I read through some astonishing articles on your blog.
I am currently on my way to Dubai to work there and I wanted to learn more about the Muslim women living there.
Myself being a liberal feminist find it horrendous that women are still living in such harsh conditions. But it is not through force or damnation that change will be brought into these countries for the women. The answer lies only in our prayers.
Please keep your blog going, as I see the last entry was in July 2008. I await to hear more of what our fellow women are experiencing around the world.