cannot be easily defined in any culture, especially in Islamic culture. Western Muslim women are caught between Western stereotypes and the practices and cultures of Islam. The Quran recognizes the different but equally important roles of men and women, encouraging balanced home and family life. In the early years of Islam, the Quran gave women several liberating rights, the right to property being just one of many. While the Western world views Islam as "oppressive" and "cruel" towards women, many Muslim women feel dignified and liberated by their faith. This gap between what is seen and what is actually hinders a healthy relationship between Western women and Muslim women. The gap between Western women and Muslim women is particularly visible when it comes to clothing. There is a famous comic strip depicting the cultural differences between the two. You see two women, one in a bikini, walking past a Muslim woman in a burqa. They both pass each other and the women in burqas comment on how on the Soul...

Navigation