Muslim Women Essay - 943 Words

The American media has a tendency to portray Muslims in a negative light. Some pity Muslims while others feel pure disdain for them. This statement made by Ann Coulter (2001) following the September 11th terrorist attacks demonstrates the disdain for Muslims, â€Å"We should invade their countries, kill their leaders and convert them to Christianity† (as cited in Arab American National Museum, 2011). While this particular statement was directed at all Muslims, there are also many misconceptions directed solely at Muslim women. In this essay, I will discuss the issue of Muslim women and some of the ways in which their reality contradicts the common media representations of women in that area. The first common media representation of†¦show more content†¦A second common assumption of the Muslim women is that they are forced into marriage. While it is true that arranged marriages do still take place in the Muslim world, the marriages are not forced upon anyone (Ahmed , 1999). Before an arranged marriage takes place, parents and older relatives discuss different possible matches, but the person, for whom they are searching a mate, is always involved in the discussions (Ahmed, 1999). Then before the marriage can take place, both future spouses must agree to the marriage in front of witnesses (Ahmed, 1999). A third common media stereotype of Muslim women is that their sole purpose is to please their husbands. Geraldine Brooks author of the book, Nine Parts of Desire: The Hidden World of Islamic Women wrote that Muslim â€Å"women are expected to sacrifice their comfort and freedom to service the requirements of male sexuality; either to repress or stimulate the male sex urge (as cited in Arab American National Museum, 2011). This stereotype is heightened by the fact that Islam allows polygamy. While Islam does allow men to take four wives, it is only advised that they do so under extreme circumstances (Ahmed, 1999). In fact, the Quran recommend s that one wife is best because one who marries multiple wives must treat all of them completely equal and that is a difficult task (Ahmed, 1999). Muslim women like Muslim men play a part in the family, but their part goes way beyond simply pleasing theirShow MoreRelatedMuslim Women Essay571 Words   |  3 PagesIn today’s society women are given ample opportunity just as much as men. In some countries, such as middle-eastern nations that is not the case. Muslim women are often perceived to be submissive to Muslim men and unequal. Mohammed never taught for women to be treated as lower class citizens. Nonetheless, the blame is pointed towards the religion of Islam. The Islamic religion began as all monotheist religions representing a belief in one God and moral standards. In the following essay I will discussRead MoreThe Issue Of Muslim Women2059 Words   |  9 Pagesthe topic of Muslim women. 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