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.

Thank you. Your approach is really very positive, informative and interesting 👍

I was under the impression that Tunisia is considered the leader within the Arab region with regards to women’s rights and has made considerable progress? But of course it still faces significant challenges and no country in the Arab region is on par with the West in this regard.

It’s both to be honest, men and women both have a responsibility to keep our own modesty. Men will always gaze, it’s the nature of men but that’s why men are taught to lower their gaze, to stop them from temptation. It’s a sign of respect for the woman.
If a woman is covered up and a man still ogles at her then the responsibility lies with him not being able to control his urges.

Thank you @OlympicWomen :)

And if she is not covered up? I take your answer to mean the woman is responsible as well as the man for his gaze

So a girl will learn at some point men will always gaze, it's the nature of men, but it's a joint responsibility if she does not cover up

I just want to stress that Islam is not one thing. While it may be true that Muhammed was quite progressive for his time it is also true that the Quran taken with the hadiths have been interpreted in misogynistic ways by many followers.

Compare Jesus and St Paul. Basically misogyny is like water it finds a way through any crack.

While the first university was founded by a Muslim women there is a dominant strain of Islam controlling and inhibiting women's education.

The other problem is there is no official voice of Islam. Fatwas and other rulings are made by Muftis but generally as I understand it non binding. So it's possible for moderate Muslims to ignore while the more extreme are justified in attempting murder as in Salman Rushdie.
The other areas of great concern are attitudes to apostates etc Although moderate Muslims say faith shouldn't be compelled, Muslims in Pakistan are killing both apostates and blasphemers. This is a threat to Western secular democracies and is a live issue after not just Rushdie and Charlie Hebdo but also the Batley school teacher.

There are also problems with extremism being preached In some mosques, not all but some.
I find this a very difficult subject as moderate Muslims are no problem but I have witnessed an huge increase in extremist beliefs among second generation Muslims. I put a lot of this down to the Internet with its influencers and on line clerics preaching hate and misogyny. I really hope we can work with moderate Muslims to stand against this.

Interesting points, @Imnobody4 . My friend is I suppose like you - she's a university educated, professional, moderate Muslim. She tells me that Wahhabism has dominated in some mosques. She was very unhappy at things which were said at her local mosque; attitudes to non Muslim British, women and gays. There does seem to be, for want of a better term, puritanism with some, which is causing concern among others. You'll know how prevalent this is.

@MarsBounty - so why do we see primary school girls wearing the hijab - would that be more cultural than religious?

Something is going on though - they don't take them off, so it's normalised in some way.

As a lady’s hair is seen as a part of her beauty, she is required to cover it to not attract unwanted attention

What is the outcome if she does not meet this requirement?

if a man is perving on a women be it a covered or uncovered woman, that sin is on him alone.

Which countries do you think do well to uphold the idea that the sin is the man's alone?

I'm assuming you spent your time in a gated community and not with the general population.

Do you think depriving half the population of their human rights is respectful?

Context - any you like

As a lady’s hair is seen as a part of her beauty, she is required to cover it to not attract unwanted attention

What happens if a woman who is required to cover her hair does not?

https://www.hrc.org/resources/stances-of-faiths-on-lgbt-issues-islam ….someone mentioned this ,hence the link but I was very interested to read that somebody being transgender can be more accepted than someone having a same sex attraction, which I found perplexing.

I doubt that they're forced against their will, but why are they wearing them? How come child sized ones are sold?
If it's not until puberty, why don't parents say no, not until you're older?. The parents are buying them, helping the child to wear one, normalising the wear. It's just something I've noticed over the past 10-15 years or so, and wondered.

I am kind of amazed that you include Saudi Arabia in your list of countries where women are not scapegoated for the sins of men against them. www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2023/03/saudi-arabia-personal-status-law-codifies-discrimination-against-women/

I don't understand why you keep answering questions on Islam when you're not a Muslim and don't practice.