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Islamic Women in Society

In: Social Issues

Submitted By maghribhealth
Words 2453
Pages 10
Jennah Lee
Sociology
4/16/2013
Research Paper Islamic Women in Society
“Common Perceptions of Muslim Women” Islam is one of the three most popular monotheistic religions in the world. It has both its positive and negative images in the media. Commonly, in society Islam is looked upon as an extreme and radical religion. This paper will take a close look into the reactions to the "Muslim Women" in both American and Muslim American societies in the U.S. Whether it’s the clothing, occupations, marriages, or inequality, the women in this religion seem to be under a magnify glass in society. Islam is the second largest religion and the world and is still increasing in number. Statistics show that estimates of the total number of Muslims range from 0.7 to 1.8 billion worldwide and 1.1 to 7 million in the U.S alone (B.A Robinson). These numbers show that not only is Islam present is everyday society but it is here to stay. The history of Islam started way before America, in the Arabian Peninsula. Before Islam, or Al-Jahiliyah the people of the Arabian plate lived in tribes and the customs were much different to those in present day. Some of the customs that were present before Islam was arranged marriages, the killing of infant girls, and very few rights for women and slaves. All of these pre- Islamic customs were abolished when Islam was brought forth to the people of Arabia. Islam is a religion that not only respects its women but in fact cherishes their very existence. In the Pre- Islamic Arabia the men would never wish for an infant girl, and when one was born they would kill and bury it. But through Islam they followed what was prescribed to them through the Quran, “When the infant girl buried alive is asked for what crime she was slain” (Surah al-Takwir 81:8). This shows the magnitude of how much women, even at the youngest age mean

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