Women+of+Islam

[|video] Islamic women seem to be mistreated in their culture, but the truth is that according to their religion, they have many rights and are considered equal under God. Click on the subtopics below to discover the truth of the Islamic Women lifestyle. toc =The Rights of Islamic Women‍=

[[image:arab_women width="233" height="135" align="left" caption="A muslim woman"]]Political Rights
In 2006, Iraq passed a law that states that Islam is the official religion and code. It states that no laws should contradict the Qur'an. This potentially limits women's right if they do not follow the code of Islam. Some scholars are pushing to try to modernize some of the teachings to provide maximum rights for women.

Rights Under God
By Allah, men and women have the same spirit. and there is no difference between them in prayer, since both sexes are human. One who does good deeds, regardless of gender, shall be rewarded by God. Usually, in mosques, women pray in the back, in order to protect the dignity of women.

===‍Rights in Life === An Islamic woman has the right to divorce her husband. She is allowed to have custody of the children in a divorce, along with being allowed to choose her own husband and give consent in her marriage. However, in many countries, this right is not honored, such as in Afghanistan. In fact, some girls have deliberately hurt themselves, or even tried to commit suicide, in order to escape being forced into marriage, as seen in the video bellow. media type="youtube" key="G39FA4XfgoE" height="396" width="704" align="right"

= = =The Clothing and Appearance of Islamic Women=

‍Hijab
A //Hijab// is worn to cover the hair and neck of women. These are crucial to their lifestyle, and show the Islamic women's faith. It shows a women's modesty and morality, and to appreciate personality over appearance. The word //hijab// comes from the word //hajaba,// meaning to conceal. It is a way to show modesty and purity of women, allowing them to be respectful of Allah.

‍Niqab and Burqa
A //Niqab// is what many people imagine girls wear in the Middle- East; it cover the whole head area except the eyes. Although it is normally black, like the image to the right, it can also have elegant colors. The niqab is not to be confused with the //Burqa// which covers the whole body, excluding the eyes. The image to the right is of a Burqa.

Controversy in Clothing
Some types of Muslim clothing for women cause controversy. In some parts of the world, wearing burqas in public are discouraged because of security reasons. In other cases there is much controversy between Muslim women who have different views on the use of such types of clothing. Some women feel that they must wear a hijab, niqab or burqa because they were told to do so by Allah. Other women feel like that these specific dress codes will not make them more or less of a Muslim in Allah's eyes.

Appearance
Muslim should care about their appearance, but not so much that they go to extremes. The physical appearance of a Muslim woman should reflect their personality and ideals. This means that they should to their best to look neat and clean. Not only does appearance demonstrate the woman's attitude, but it is supposed to show the morals of Islam. Muslim women should always try to look presentable no matter what they are doing. This includes while they're cleaning and other every day activities. Carelessness and disregard for appropriate appearance in particular are looked down upon. All of these ideas are enforced because appearance largely affects the feelings of the others around them and the general attitude towards Islam.

Staying healthy and strong is also emphasized in the Qur'an. Women are to only eat and drink as much as is needed and no more. Intoxicating substances such as alcohol or drugs are also not permitted in Islam. By taking care of her body, a Muslim women can gain the love of Allah and the respect of those around her.

=The Education of Islamic Women= Women and men of Islam alike are encouraged to acquire religious and secular knowledge. However many women are unable to achieve this and have a very hard time finding places where women and girls can be educated.

The Taliban and the Struggle of Women Employment and Education
In September 1996 the Taliban came to power in Afghanistan, women were removed from their jobs or schools. Women with jobs were banned from working and girls were expelled from universities and schools. Before the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan, many girls and women were educated or employed. In Kabul, 70% of teachers, 50% of government workers and 40% of doctors were women before the Taliban puts restriction on women's rights. === ===

Gaps in Education and Literacy
In Pakistan and Afghanistan, where the Taliban ruled, women weren't allowed to go to school or learn to read or write. The gap between the education of men and women in Islam has grown wider since the Taliban first took power.

As of 2010, the literacy rates are Yemen literacy rates: 28% (women) and 70% (men) Pakistan literacy rates: 28% (women) and 53% (men) And as of 2006, Egypt literacy rates: 59.4% (women) and 83% (men) Morocco literacy rates:39.6% (women) and 65.7 (men) Pakistan literacy rates: 36% (women) and 63% (men) Yemen literacy rates: 34.7% (women) 73.1% (men) Afighanistan literacy rates: 12.6% (women) 41.3% (men)

=Duties =



Duties In Religious Activities
In Islam, women have many of the same duties as men. Both Men and women have to pray, fast, and follow all the sames rules of Islam. However, women are sometimes exempt from certain duties. This is usually because certain actions can be harmful to their health. For example, Muslim women don't have to fast or kneel when praying while their pregnant. However, they must make up the fasting after they recover from their pregnancy, but do not have to make up the daily prayer.

Duties In Marriage[[image:islamicwomen/marry.jpg width="290" height="333" align="right" caption="A marriage in Islam"]]
In marriage Muslim women must obey their husbands and follow certain social codes. A woman must be respectful to her husband and follow his orders as long as they are moral. She must also take care of the house and only take actions that will not displease her husband.

Although the husband can have more authority over the household, he must remain respectful and loving of his wife. Both husband and wife must agree upon things before they take any actions or make any important family decisions.

The wife is usually the person who raises the family and cares for the children. Islamic law stresses the importance of raising an intelligent, modest and caring daughter so that when she becomes a mother or wife, she can raise a successful family of her own.

=Bibliography= //Campaign for Afghan Women & Girls//. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Feb. 2012. http://feminist.org/‌afghan/‌taliban_women.asp

//The Ideal Muslim Woman and Her Own Self//. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Feb. 2012. .

//Status Of Muslim Women In Islamic Societies – Past And Present//. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Feb. 2012. .

//Why don’t women have more rights in Muslim countries?// N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Feb. 2012. .

//Women in Islam//. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Feb. 2012. <http://www.cfr.org/‌religion/‌women-islam/‌p8182 >.

//Women, Islam, and the New Iraq//. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Feb. 2012. <http://www.cfr.org/‌iraq/‌women-islam-new-iraq/‌p9464>.

//Women’s Position, Role, And Rights In Islam//. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Feb. 2012. <http://www.afghan-web.com/‌articles/‌womenrights.html>.