To think latent Islamaphobia is as prevalent as ever

[Lesschubtolove]

This is based from several posts I’ve now seen in MN, about burquinis, wearing the hijab, in fact anything vaguely Muslim related on MN and in print media as well as the real world.

Most comments from posters on MN are fairly neutral but there are a fair number that then state some pretty (pulls yikes face) comments, especially about women’s clothing or integration. There also seem to be a lot of misconceptions about what Muslims actually believe.

It seems to me as though yes most people won’t come out and say that they dislike Muslims or think they are stupid, backwards, oppressed (insert adjective here) but the disdain comes out in more subtle ways.

im genuinely quite surprised at the misconceptions I read on MN, but I guess they must apply to real life too, but just that people don’t wish to voice them.

ps I am a Muslim myself. I did an ama a while back

@Lesschubtolove although you may feel you’re getting pounced on here (piled on) I actually feel in general you’ve addressed many of the points raised.

My DB’s stepdaughter (he’s now divorced from their mum) converted to Islam in her early 20s. I don’t see her much now partly because just no need, and to be honest she’s always been a bit defensive about it which is her prerogative.

Steady on. Let's get things into perspective and concentrate on what's important.

I mean, what the girls and women of Iran go through is a minor trifle compared to the terrible discrimination posters on this thread have faced - like having a seat on a bus all to themselves or not being allowed to bring a hot drink (which could burn the person if spilt) on to a bus.

If only the UK had a version of the ACLU these events would not be allowed to happen.

On the other hand, there is always the Daily Mail with the accompanying Daily Mail Sad Face photographs to bring these human rights violations to the public's attention.

Not sure how bot being allowed to bring a coffee on the bus constitutes racism.

The poster was wearing a hijab while doing so, thus conflating correlation with cause-and-effect.

From the Muslims I work with - all men - they are extremely respectful of women. They talk about their wives with respect, something my non-Muslim colleagues don't always do.

I work in a hugely male dominated industry and mess room banter is rife. Not once have I heard a Muslim colleague slag their wife off, even in a jokey manner.

They are also very kind and will go out of their way at work to be helpful etc.

However I've also seen the other side of Muslim men, not at my work, but in the local community - who are very rude towards non-Muslim women. We are seen as easy, sluts etc, spat at.

From this I'd take it that as in every other walk of life there are good and bad.

Some I assume use their religion as a way to behave in a shitty manner towards others. Some use their religion as a way to be kind and do good.

I was making the obvious point that a poster having a seat to themselves on the bus was minor compared to what girls and women in Iran go through.

And this nonsense about "outside your comfortable bubble of western world about what women go through in other countries". If you'd paid attention, you'd have seen that I wrote - in this very thread! - that I've lived in multiple Middle Eastern countries and listed some of my experiences of discrimination against non-Muslims in those countries. There is more but that would go into my professional life, which I don't discuss on MN.

It's always helpful to RTFT before writing a waggy finger post.

I think you missed the obvious sarcasm of Florissante's post, @Ulookgood .

Thank you, @FelisCatus0. I would have thought the sarcasm evident!

I didnt realise. My apologies

Out of interest OP, did your AMA produce the same hostile responses as this one? There was an AMA from Orthodox Jewish women recently, and it was pleasant and friendly. Just wondering if you are getting hostility because this is AIBU?

Interesting thought. AIBU will receive a different type of response from AMA.

I think an AMA invites different responses. If you say I’m a Muslim woman AMA that’s pretty different than just saying anyone who has any objections, concerns or criticisms about Islam is automatically islamophobic.

@Florissante and @AnonyMenOhPee Yes, AMA invites questions from people curious about another culture. AIBU invites debate and argument. I'm stiil interested to know if the AMA was generally more friendly, since that would reveal another side about people's attitudes to Muslims and Islam.

I agree and disagree.

Yes, I think there's still a lot of islamaphobia. 1) because there will always be a link to radicalism and terrorism 2) people are scared and wary about "others" generally and respond with racism

I'm from a minority group that suffers racism. So I get how it feels to be on the receiving end.

BUT Muslims need to also acknowledge that their religion is often misaligned with western values. We value (or aim to I hope) equality and tolerence. The UK is more and more accepting and encouraging of lesbian and gay rights, women's rights and equality are growing. But Islam isn't in line with that - it just isn't. So some people, understandably, view Islam in a negative way.

I'll come out and say it (as it's obvious in my reply anyway) that I don't respect Islam as a religion. I would never hurt a Muslim, and I realise that, like with any group, the majority of Muslims are good people who don't see what harm their religion has on others. But Islam isn't a kind religion, it isn't accepting of diversity and it does promote values and beliefs that are harmful for many people.

Now - that's not to say that other religions aren't similar, and I feel the same about active Christians, although maybe less so as I find lots tend to be able to bend and adapt to accept different people and lifestyles.

It's just how I feel based on what I know. If I've misinterpreted it, and actually Islam IS accepting and welcoming of its congregants coming out as gay, and they do respect women as much as men (and not just in terms of looking after the home and family) then I apologise.

@SchoolShenanigans I don't think we can generalise. There are female Muslim academics and professionals, and many who have successful careers. There's probably a lot of human variety in how people practise their religion.

I wouldn't call the UK a Christian country but technically it still is. Those who care about Homophobia in general in this country regardless of religion should be writing to their MPs about conversion therapy still being perfectly legal in 2023.

Haven’t RTWT but let’s not forget there are cases where an average, white British woman who is nominally Christian decides to start wearing a bit more makeup, get some more attractive clothes etc and her average, white British, nominally Christian “D”H immediately accuses her of trying to pull another man. Still the patriarchy but Islam not involved!

Maybe you should RTWT, @Clarinet1, as this might prevent future equally inane, irrelevant posts.

Yes and it’s absolutely awful!

That’s the point I was trying to make

There's kids dying in this country accused of witchcraft, there's horrific abuse occurring towards children and women in many of the churches and homophobia is as prevalent as ever in many. I have PTSD from growing up in Christianity right here in the UK

All right here in the UK in the name of religion. It's awful that things occur in other countries too but OP is from the UK that I find it strange points are being made about countries she's not even from whilst people seem happy to be unaware of what happens and still happens right here in the name of Christianity

And before anyone comes along to point out the heritage of children who've been in the papers and found killed

I'm white. I've experienced similar levels of excorcisms- I just survived mine. That's the only difference