Some questions about feminism from a Muslim.

[StatelessPrincess]

I'm a Muslim woman and I've been told I can't be a feminist and practise my religion (although I've never claimed to be one) but I've also seen and heard many times that a feminist is simply anyone who believes that men and women should have equal opportunities. So I'm a bit confused by feminism and have been trying to learn more about it. This has raised some questions-

Islam teaches that men should protect women. I've been told by feminists that this is backward and sexist. These same feminists are strongly against men and transwomen being able to use the same toilets as women and say that women are much more likely to be raped or assaulted than men. I also hear the phrase 'rape culture' mentioned a lot. So why is it wrong to say that women should be protected?

Many feminists feel that society judges women based on how sexually attractive to men they are and that this is wrong. They object to women feeling that they need to wear high heels or make up. Many Muslim women wear hijab to avoid this, to be judged on our words and actions alone and not our appearance. We are told by feminists that this is wrong, so how should a feminist dress?

I've been told that the decision I made freely to wear hijab is not in fact a free decision, that actually I am brainwashed. This implies that I do not have the intellect or backbone to choose my own clothes and neither do millions of other women. Does anyone agree with my feeling that this view is patronising and oppressive? Many Jewish, Christian, Sikh and Hindu women cover their hair, are they all brainwashed? And can a woman submit to God and be a feminist or are religion and feminism incompatible?

I'm not trying to start a fight or even a debate really, I'm genuinely just trying learn more about something that I hear so much about but struggle to understand.

[DrMorbius]

I think the bottom line question for muslim women is "What would happen if I decided that I wanted to go out in shorts and a crop top?" If the answer is "Absolutely nothing" then all's fine and good. But ..........

If covering up is such a great thing, why is it only done when outside?

[DrMorbius]

I think the bottom line question for muslim women is "What would happen if I decided that I wanted to go out in shorts and a crop top?" If the answer is "Absolutely nothing" then all's fine and good. But ..........

Sorry my post should have said ^^ this.

Then said If covering up is such a great thing, why is it only done when outside?

[sashh]

I also hear the phrase 'rape culture' mentioned a lot. So why is it wrong to say that women should be protected?

It's wrong that women need to be protected. It is wrong that men think they can rape and get away with it. It is wrong that society blames women for men's actions.

As for the Muslim dress being modest/avoiding problems. There is an argument that in a country where the norm is to show one's face and hair it could be argued that wearing a veil actually makes you stand out more.

On the modest thing, neither of my grandmothers ever wore trousers. Trousers were not for nice girls, as for jeans - well you might as well wear a shirt with 'hussy' written on it.

Interesting observation. I've been with my mum for a couple of appointments where she has had a prosthetic breast fitted or gone for a new wig during chemo.

The hospice nurse says younger women don't go in for wigs, they prefer to wear scarves - I think some fashionable Muslim sisters are possibly responsible for that.

[msrisotto]

I think it is really difficult to be a feminist and religious, a lot of cognitive dissonance is required. However, we don't have to be the "perfect" feminist. We do what we can to get by in the patriarchy. I am well versed in the context of choice in which I shave my armpits. It is a female only beauty standard that is frankly imposed upon western society. I know that by doing it, I am implicitly reinforcing the message that it is unacceptable for a woman to have visible pubic hair blah blah blah I shave anyway because there's a load of other shit that I have to deal with as a woman in the patriarchy and I pick my battles.

I feel it is more important to own that choice, rather than pretend it is empowering or some such other bull.

[QuentinSummers]

Yes exactly msrisotto great post