I’m a fairly secular Muslim: Ask me anything

[Byemelania]

I probably won’t know the answer but I’ll try

Can I ask please, are Muslim people discouraged from going to the funerals of non Muslim friends? Thank you.

@Byemelania

I probably won’t know the answer but I’ll try

Hi OP, I live in East London, large muslim population. I recently met a girl I had been at school with, she had started wearing a niqab and we got chatting. When I asked her why she was wearing a niqab, she said that she had been pressured into wearing one by the women in her husband's family, but not by him. I just wondered if this was common? X

Well sure that's what I'm getting at.

It all comes down to where you live and I think some of the populations/ etc are not really well known to those without direct experience experience.

I do live in a slightly unusual area for religion. We've even got an actual cult meeting place on the high street. I keep threatening to go along to see what it's like but dh is wary!

Anyway that's an aside.

It's interesting that Islam and especially the more fundamental groups are such a focus when there's other religions with similar ideas around women, mixing, education, clothing that is unusual for UK etc around the place.

[quote Byemelania]@HecatesCats as mentioned I didn’t know there was an AMA section. Was just looking through the topics and this seemed like an alright place.[/quote]
It is a good place, or I wouldn't have found it! X

@Flaxmeadow thats ONE Muslim country well done. Ask Christians to denounce fgm then given that African countries do it claiming its part if their religion and yes they do claim its part of religion.
Also, I've lived in Muslim countries through work, I made friends and lived eith many Muslim women and I know they didn't practice fgm as they were as against it as anyone else. The community I lived amongst were aghast to hear of female circumcision they actually didnt know it existed despite being born in a Muslim country in Asia.

@didolamenting Just because a certain very small group of Muslims claim that something is part of the religion, doesn't mean that it is they are trying to justify their actions, clearly any idiot can see that considering the amount of charity most Muslims do.

Oh and do you know most Muslims aren't even allowed to kill a fly, literally. My exdh used to refuse to kill spiders for me as it was against his religion to kill any living thing.

@DidoLamenting I don’t see Christians being asked to condemn widespread child sex abuse in the church

What are your views on male circumcision? My understanding is it isn’t compulsory for Muslims as it is for Jews, but it is recommended practice.

Thanks @andyoldlabour and sorry to hear about the racism you have suffered too. My best friend is Iranian, so look after your joonam!

@Flaxmeadow do you use the word barbaric for anything gruesome that happens in the West? Genuine question.

@FeminismIsForALLWomen 🙏🏽

@NoMoreFlowers no, Muslims can go to funerals of all kinds as far as I’m aware

@ClaireP20 that’s sad for her. In my experience it’s not common... I feel for her tho. That woman who forced her is awful

@bluebluezoo I’m not a huge fan, glad I had daughters so didn’t have to explain to family etc why I wouldn’t do it. I don’t think it’s obligatory for Muslims. There’s a good doc on it channel 4 or bbc.

@Thecherryontheverytop I’ve killed flies :) always feel terrible after.

Do you like having a strict code ie halal and haram?

Genuine question, I see the appeal.

Byemelania

Kheily mamnoon!

do you use the word barbaric for anything gruesome that happens in the West? Genuine question

Yes I do. Why?
Does my language cause offence, again

FGM is barbaric. Wouldn't you agree?

@randomer I see the appeal of a set of principles too. I don’t live by them exactly, but they made sense when they were made I guess. Some are also misinterpreted. There is a joke now, the haram police, people who love nothing more than keep pointing out whats not allowed - silly things sometimes.

@Flaxmeadow is the Catholic Church barbaric. Take a lot more to offend me than you my dear :)

is the Catholic Church barbaric. Take a lot more to offend me than you my dear

Is FGM barbaric or not?

@Flaxmeadow as barbaric as the Catholic priests who rape children and King Leopold

as barbaric as the Catholic priests who rape children and King Leopold

Or imams/Muslim clerics who do the same to children, or an atrocity like the beheadings and capturing of women for slavery in Mozambique this week.

We could use whaterboutery and "but but but colonialism" all day long. But you specifically asked me about my calling FGM barbaric and as if you had taken offence by it

@Flaxmeadow I think you need to understand how certain words are used to demonise certain people. But you’re not willing to engage so bye and good luck with Brexit.

I think you need to understand how certain words are used to demonise certain people....

The irony of you saying that, and then this in your very next sentence, is obviously lost

...But you’re not willing to engage so bye and good luck with Brexit