Is there a problem with Islam?

[LeafBud7]

My answer to this has always been, no, even if there are problematic elements within Islam especially for women, you can say the same about any culture or ideology, or religion.
I have been reading and thinking more about this recently, and i'm going round in circles. My brother in law is Muslim, and I am going to ask him what he thinks when I next get the chance for a proper chat, also a female colleague who I think would be open to talking about this..
In the meantime, what do you think? Is it as I have always thought, above, or is there something potentially within the religion what makes it more problematic, or is it not the religion itself, but more how things evolve in some communities? Is it all just a imaginary "problem" used by racists to whip up a storm?
One thing is for sure, it seems one is not really allowed to ask these questions in some circles, without being accused of being racist, which I find really unhelpful.

Given this, I wonder why only Albania agreed to host the summit? In terms of the organisers trying, and failing, to get neighbouring Muslim-majority countries to hold it.

I don't know. It's why I asked earlier about statements from the countries who declined. I've done a quick search and haven't found anything.

Perhaps they were worried about extremist repurcusions which is understandable.

I looked up the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and they are a big Islamic organisation representing 57 countries. They released a statement and said this about Afghanistan:

Stress the importance of full respect for the human rights of all Afghans and the need to protect the fundamental rights of Afghan girls and women, especially the right to education and work, and call for more communication with the de facto authorities on these issues.

So it seems as though Islamic countries and organisations have been speaking out and about Afghanistan.

That’s great to hear this, thank you.

Yes, it would. Why do you feel the need to bring Judaism into this though? What exactly are you trying to achieve? Or did you not mean to be incredibly divisive and just happened to be so by accident? In which case I'd suggest you request your post to be withdrawn, as it definitely comes across as divisive.

Does islam have an issue with women? Of course it bloody does.

I remember doing a module on world religions during my degree. We went to visit the local cathedral, sinagogue, gudwara, temple, and mosque. It was only the mosque that sent a list of restrictions before hand. Restrictions that only applied to the females in the class.

What were the restrictions and did you seek to understand them?

Many Islamic majority countries are fearful of antagonising the more radical amongst their population. Possibly because they tend to be dictatorships with strong armies backing them, yet aware that popular dissent can be harnessed to Islamist movements. Eg Algeria, Egypt, Pakistan. Or else they are in too much chaos to entertain hosting an international conference.

I didn't need to seek to understand them beyond the fact they were only being imposed on the females.

Exactly.

What's there to understand?

Why is the onus on PP to understand the restrictions? How did the other places of worship manage without such restrictions?

I think the ultimate question is how do we root out misogyny, when men are in power and misogyny affords them power within the culture, like mini-kings. Misogyny is a world-wide problem, so I’m definitely not saying it’s only a problem within Islam, far from it. You can see it everywhere. I think perhaps the reason the focus is often on Islam is because of how entrenched misogyny is within entire legal frameworks in Islamic countries - which I would like to stress is the work of men taking religion and twisting it to serve their own purposes. The same happens with Christianity, for example as has been brought up with regards the US and women’s reproductive rights. Throughout this discussion and my own research, I’m beginning to understand how teachings have been used falsely to create a double standard between how men and women are treated, and also how ultimately it’s the fault of men abusing their power, and using their own religious interpretations to justify it.

Again I’m working through my understanding of this so accept I may be wrong in my conclusions.

Good points, @MilkToast

There needs to be a separation of religion and the state and clear laws and guidelines outlawing unequal, deviant and unlawful practices.

It's important for governments to ensure laws are followed and maintained and there are punishments for infractions.

If certain behaviours are viewed as unlawful and punished then they'll become obsolete. I also agree with scrapping anything discriminatory such as sex segregation. Positive discrimination in order to get quotas of women into public life would also be conducive.

Support services and helplines need to be made available for women suffering from abuse and police should strictly enforce harassment legislation so that women can be free of harm outside.

My understanding is that modest clothing applies to both sexes, with both required to wear loose clothing that covers arms and legs, with women to cover their hair. If the males were not given any requirements, that is clearly wrong of the mosque in question and not in line with the modesty expectations, which I’ll direct to@anotherlevel or another Muslim woman if this is correct?

Edited to add the above applies to being in a mosque, I think modest clothing for men is to cover from navel to knees otherwise? But again I could be mistaken.

@inamarina every religion is different and believe in different things. Women and men pray in different areas in a mosque because it allows us to focus on our prayers without distractions. Visitors are asked to cover their heads as a sign of respect that you are entering someone else's place of worship.

@MilkToast There is also a dress code for men too to dress modestly and not to wear revealing or tight fitted clothing.
Our main and only focus when attending a mosque is to worship and pray to Allah and anything that could be a distraction from that isn't allowed. For example, you'll have many single men and women attending and if they are getting distracted by the other sexes beauty then it takes away from the point of going. Having said that, socialising after prayers is fine and welcomed.

Are these messages about not being distracted by the beauty of the other sex something that's passed to children?

@anotherlevel Muslim boys are indistinguishable from non Muslim boys in appearance. Same with the men.
It's the women who are set apart, as quite young girls, with the scarf. Male modesty involves wearing jeans, T-shirts, jackets, trainers. Female, long dresses and scarves. Visibly different.

'Many Islamic majority countries are fearful of antagonising the more radical amongst their population. Possibly because they tend to be dictatorships with strong armies backing them, yet aware that popular dissent can be harnessed to Islamist movements'

BUT I thought Islam was a peaceful religion? All religions have extreme factions but Islamist radicals seem to be high in number, much more aggressive and violent as well as having many in power that are like this. Why do everyday Muslims not challenge this?

Also the onus is on @MrTiddlesTheCat to understand because they can’t base their entire opinion that there’s a problem with Islam on this one thing without knowing the reasons behind it. It’s being ignorant to do so. (I don’t mean for that to be a personal attack btw) If it was just simply because Islam doesn’t favour women because they are less than and that’s the only reason for it and nothing else, then I can see why they will think that way. But it’s not. Islam puts a lot of importance on women and have afforded them with a lot of rights.

What do you mean? I’m not sure I understand your question

So why the modest clothing if your not around members of the opposite sex anyway? And what about gay or bisexual people, isn't there a risk they could still be "distracted".

Well yes you'll definitely see that men and women dress differently. Our bodies are completely different from each other. You'll have devout Muslims that will follow the modest ruling more strictly than those who do not. That goes for both men and women. I'm not a devout Muslim, I try to dress as modestly as I feel comfortable doing so, my clothes are not revealing or tight but I do wear T shirts etc. Whereas someone who is practising the faith more will probably dress more modestly than I do. It's all personal choice and how strong our faith is.