The Muslim Woman

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

In its fight against Islamic extremism, the world has decided to acquire a new weapon — the women in the Islamic society. The women folk are the most neglected lot in the Islamic society, oppressed and suppressed by their male counterparts’ chauvinism and complex socio-religious dogmas. They may prove a surprise weapon in the West’s quest to win the confidence of the Muslims. The Muslims harbor a long-entrenched hatred against the Western powers, in Britain, particularly in Muslim-majority areas. Everything here is seen as a suspicion by the Christian-dominated administration. When the government has failed to bridge the gap between the administration and the Muslim society, it is worth seeing whether the proposed measure to rope in women to spread the message of tolerance and controlling hardliners ever pay dividends. No doubt, the women folk played a dominant role in the progress of the civilization including the ‘Muslim Ummah’ and throughout the world. They have earned a well-deserved praise for their role as wives, mothers and daughters. If they can give birth to great prophets like Ibrahim and Muhammad, why can’t they restore the pride of Islamic civilization dented by the fundamentalist spike? When leaders like late Benazir, Sheikh Hasina, Khaleda Zia, Fatima Bibi, etc. can give leadership to crores of Muslims worldwide, the mothers in the same society are thus, best equipped to heal scores of injuries thrust upon the Islamic society by extremism and revengeful action of the West. Such an attempt to get rid of the fundamentalism in the Islamic society should begin from within, rather than an imposition by a government, which is always seen inflicting injuries in the Islamic world. Women have a chance to showcase their leadership, well-supported by modern democracies. It is sure to evolve a reconciliation replacing conflicting situation and thereby contributing to the world peace. Image Source: The Telegraph