Traveling through the Islamic world, visitors notice that the status of women changes drastically from country to country. Westerners question why women in many Middle Eastern countries cover their heads and most of their bodies. They question the nature of freedom where women have very little political power or social clout.
In many cases, the differences are based on local custom only. Wearing veils (meaning covering head to foot), for example, is not required by the Koran but in some places is local custom. Other than Islam's requirement that women dress modestly, most Muslim women are free to dress or to behave like women of any other religion.
Historians note that, before the rise of Islamic culture in the 7th century, women in much of the world had few rights and were considered little more than chattel. Against that background, the Koran and Islamic tradition were positively revolutionary in teaching that men and women are spiritually equal and that women have the right to own and inherit property, seek divorce, gain an education, retain one's family name after marriage and the right to vote.
Muslims such as Rkia Comell, who teaches Asian and African languages and literature at Duke University, argue that "every culture is inherently sexist to some degree." Comell insists that, as a Muslim woman, she still has the freedom to control her own life. "Muslim women historically have had a strong role in Islamic society."
What some see as oppressive, Muslims view as protective. While Americans may regard a Muslim's attire as stifling, Muslims may view the way Americans women generally dress as sexist and compromising.
by Carolyn Ruff
*Excerpts from the article "Exploring
Islam the World's Second Biggest Religion Also Is A Way of Life."
(Courtesy: The Washington Post, Wednesday, May 13, 1998, Page HO1)