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Having your period? Then go to the back of the class and sit by yourself

gnomon

Well-Known Member
I have talked in person to Muslim women and men about such issues.

No nearby Muslims for me to talk to.

I changed my point of view on this searching the internet trying to find reliable statements from Muslim women. Just doesn't seem to be that big of a deal for most. Not that it isn't an issue at all, however.

I like your point about the ability to drive in Saudi Arabia and how some women posed that it was not a problem. Because obviously it is a problem for many of them. The best change in that culture will come from within.

I can say that nothing put forth in argument supporting this gender discrimination from members of this forum helped in any way. Actually appears to be doing more harm than good.
 

Songbird

She rules her life like a bird in flight
I can say that nothing put forth in argument supporting this gender discrimination helped in any way. Actually appears to be doing more harm than good.

Yeah, it's gotten inflammatory in here.

No one wants a snack break?
 

Willamena

Just me
Premium Member
This is a public school paid for by taxpayer funds. If anyone's shoving anything down anyone's throats, it's those who would turn a civic institution into a prayer hall for a single religion.
The implication, though, in your posts, throughout, is that public = secular, and that's simply incorrect. If that were the case, we would all be non-religious. It's the case in Canada that we have secular public office, but we still have the ability to fund public religious programs. Secular bias can be discriminatory.
 
What were their views?
Of the ones I spoke to, two became atheists but have been forced to maintain appearances or else bad things will happen, and two still believe in Islam but are non-practicing. I feel that someday we might call such people "reform Muslim". We have not talked about women being segregated during prayer. We have talked about many issues related to Islam and gender. They have repeatedly criticized traditional Islam for every gender restriction we have discussed, including marrying outside the faith, dating, sex outside marriage, the treatment of women, etc. My one friend said he cannot believe how strongly the female Muslim students at the Muslim Student Association meetings support the traditional Islamic customs .... "According to the [Qur'an or hadith, I forget which], your husband can hit you!" he said. He also said, of the religious leaders of Iran, "who the *&%$ are you to tell me what is moral and immoral"? Direct quotes. He and his Buddhist girlfriend are considering getting married someday, but this could cause enormous problems if he ever wants to see his family in Iran again, since she is not of the "People of the Book".
 
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Draka

Wonder Woman
This will be my third time stating this and I don't hold out for more of a response than the other two times (none) but will state it again none-the-less.

The reason that certain groups and followings of Muslims separate their prayer space and have the women pray either behind the men or with a division between them or even in a different room has to do with the men. Not the women. It is a matter of modesty. A huge deal in Islam. Muslims, while bowed in prayer, have another's hind quarters in front of them. Men are considered to be easily distracted by having a woman's rear end in his direct line of vision while he's attempting to pray. Not to mention that it can feel awkward for the woman if she realizes she might be being oogled during prayer services. For this reason the women pray out of the line of sight of the men.

Another thing...certain prayer times, such as Friday prayers, are considered mandatory for men and optional for women. Technically, the women don't even have to be there. It's not like they are being told...'you must pray and you must pray back there because you're not as good as the men'. They are there because they want to be and they are separated out of reasons having to do with modesty and the weakness of men.
 

Rakhel

Well-Known Member
This will be my third time stating this and I don't hold out for more of a response than the other two times (none) but will state it again none-the-less.

The reason that certain groups and followings of Muslims separate their prayer space and have the women pray either behind the men or with a division between them or even in a different room has to do with the men. Not the women. It is a matter of modesty. A huge deal in Islam. Muslims, while bowed in prayer, have another's hind quarters in front of them. Men are considered to be easily distracted by having a woman's rear end in his direct line of vision while he's attempting to pray. Not to mention that it can feel awkward for the woman if she realizes she might be being oogled during prayer services. For this reason the women pray out of the line of sight of the men.

Another thing...certain prayer times, such as Friday prayers, are considered mandatory for men and optional for women. Technically, the women don't even have to be there. It's not like they are being told...'you must pray and you must pray back there because you're not as good as the men'. They are there because they want to be and they are separated out of reasons having to do with modesty and the weakness of men.
Oh i hear you and understand what you are saying, but being a woman and totally inferior to the understandings of men, it won't matter.
 
This will be my third time stating this and I don't hold out for more of a response than the other two times (none) but will state it again none-the-less.

The reason that certain groups and followings of Muslims separate their prayer space and have the women pray either behind the men or with a division between them or even in a different room has to do with the men. Not the women. It is a matter of modesty. A huge deal in Islam. Muslims, while bowed in prayer, have another's hind quarters in front of them. Men are considered to be easily distracted by having a woman's rear end in his direct line of vision while he's attempting to pray. Not to mention that it can feel awkward for the woman if she realizes she might be being oogled during prayer services. For this reason the women pray out of the line of sight of the men.

Another thing...certain prayer times, such as Friday prayers, are considered mandatory for men and optional for women. Technically, the women don't even have to be there. It's not like they are being told...'you must pray and you must pray back there because you're not as good as the men'. They are there because they want to be and they are separated out of reasons having to do with modesty and the weakness of men.
I didn't mean to ignore you, this is a great point and was a great point the first time you said it! :)
 

Jayhawker Soule

-- untitled --
Premium Member
Of the ones I spoke to, two became atheists but have been forced to maintain appearances or else bad things will happen, and two still believe in Islam but are non-practicing. I feel that someday we might call such people "reform Muslim". We have not talked about women being segregated during prayer. We have talked about many issues related to Islam and gender. They have repeatedly criticized traditional Islam for every gender restriction we have discussed, including marrying outside the faith, dating, sex outside marriage, the treatment of women, etc. My one friend said he cannot believe how strongly the female Muslim students at the Muslim Student Association meetings support the traditional Islamic customs .... "According to the [Qur'an or hadith, I forget which], your husband can hit you!" he said. He also said, of the religious leaders of Iran, "who the *&%$ are you" to tell me what is moral and immoral? Direct quotes. He and his Buddhist girlfriend are considering getting married someday, but this could cause enormous problems if he ever wants to see his family in Iran again, since she is not of the "People of the Book".
My experience has been primarily with members of the MWA in Chicago and the MSA at U of I and Northwestern -- plus perhaps eight individuals not strongly alligned with any organization. None (to the best of my knowledge) would tolerate spousal abuse. Many would like to see at least some of the traditions reformed. Perhaps 75% wear the veil. None view it as a form of oppression. None view themselves as being hated for being women. All are college graduates and/or professionals.

And all (this is informed supposition on my part) would applaud the pluralism being demonstrated in the Toronto school.
 
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