Muslim women resent Western disrespect – Gallup Poll

[sonz]

A Gallup survey of Islamic societies showed that most Muslim women feel their religion is being disrespected in the West, Access News reported.

The poll, released Tuesday by the Gallup organization, interviewed more than 1,000 Muslim women from eight Islamic states: Egypt, Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey.

The findings of “What Women Want: Listening to the Voices of Muslim Women" showed that most Muslim women admire Western political freedom and gender equality.

But the majority of those interviewed said they resented “moral decay” in Western societies, according to Dalia Mogahed, executive director of Muslim studies at the Gallup Organization.

One 22-year-old Moroccan woman said she resented "the disrespect of women by men" in the West, Mogahed said.

The survey found that Hollywood movies made Muslims view the United States as a center of promiscuity, pornography and public indecency.

According to Mogahed, many Muslims also felt that their religion was being disrespected or was "under attack."

Respondents said Westerners should stop degrading the Islamic religion and that the Western society should stop viewing Muslims as inferior. They said a greater respect of Islam by non-Muslims in the West is needed to improve American-Islamic relations.

Mogahed also said that most Muslim women said they should have the right to vote, drive, work outside the home and to lead and serve in government.

"There is a consciousness of deserved rights," she said.

However, she said that Muslim women were hopeful that social changes would come.

"Optimism among Muslim women was higher than men," she said. "Things are getting better. The future is brighter."

The Gallup organization conducted another survey that asked more than 1,000 American adults about their view of the Muslim world.

When asked about what they respect about the Islamic world, they said: “nothing” or “I don’t know”, according to Eric Nielsen, a spokesman for Gallup.

Lynn Olson, director of organizational development for Sisters Cities International, which works to build relationships among countries, said hearing about Americans’ lack of knowledge on the Islamic world was shocking.

"In Western culture, we think that right and normal is us," Olson said. "We have no perception of other cultures that have different views of the world."

Olson, who described the findings as “insulting”, said Americans need more education about other cultures.

Tuesday’s findings were the first phase of the survey, which Gallup expects to finish in late 2006. The polling organization plans to interview Muslims in 39 countries with large numbers of Muslim people.

AlJazeera

[ACC]

Very interesting. Of course, according to that article, the majority of the Muslim word knows nothing of the USA either. They say Americans need to learn more about the world, which is true, but the same can be said about the Muslim world in reference to the USA. Believe me, Hollywood is no way representative of the USA. It is a fantasy world made to sell movies, nothing more.

[HeiGou]

A Gallup survey of Islamic societies showed that most Muslim women feel their religion is being disrespected in the West, Access News reported.

Would it be too much to ask you to post a source because I cannot find it on the Al-Jazeera website?

I think that the Daily Times version is more interesting. Did you edit this version or did Access News?

Just on the off chance I will get demerits for posting an article that contains explicit criticism of Muslim countries, I won't post the article. But it is very interesting to see they said they most resented a lack of unity among Muslim nations, violent extremism, and political and economic corruption.

Totally.

[wilberhum]

The findings of “What Women Want: Listening to the Voices of Muslim Women" showed that most Muslim women admire Western political freedom and gender equality.
Isn’t that amazing? Muslim women admire freedom and equality.
They resented “moral decay” in Western societies. But that is one of the prices or freedom and equality. You can’t demand that everyone share your moral values and maintain freedoms.
She resented "the disrespect of women by men" in the West. How do Western men disrespect women any more than the disrespect they receive in there own countries? There they are so disrespected that they are not treated with equality (obvious by there own statements)
The survey found that Hollywood movies….. Anyone that judges an entire society by one segment of the entertainment industry, needs to broaden there view. PS Neither Superman or Spider Man are real.
Many Muslims also felt that their religion was being disrespected or was "under attack." It is!
Suicide bombers and other terrorists acts committed in your name tend to cause that. Don’t attack the reporters, attack the perpetrators.
Westerners should stop degrading the Islamic religion. But that is part of freedom. You can’t have it both ways.
Greater respect of Islam by non-Muslims in the West is needed to improve American-Islamic relations. Respect is a two way street. If this forum is any sample of Muslims, you can find an endless supply of disrespect for Christians, Jews, Hindus, Atheists or any other non-Muslim belief.
Most Muslim women said they should have the right to vote, drive, and work outside the home and to lead and serve in government. Sure, why that is only found in the West. Is it because of all the respect they receive at home? Or is it the disrespect of the West?
Americans need more education about other cultures. Absolutely! Open minded education will solve numerous problems. But remember, it is a two way street. You don’t learn about the West by witching “Western Movies”.

This was posted as a negative about the West, but close observation shows it to be quite the opponent.


When asked about what they respect about the Islamic world, they said: “nothing” or “I don’t know”.

That kind of tells the whole story, doesn’t it?

[Joe98]

The poll,……interviewed more than 1,000 Muslim women from eight Islamic states: Egypt, Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey.

A Gallup survey of Islamic societies showed that most Muslim women feel their religion is being disrespected in the West, Access News reported.

How about they ask Muslim women who live in the West!

[Immunity]

Isn’t that amazing? Muslim women admire freedom and equality.

Thats because in ISLAM, men and women are equal under Allah. Equality is something valued in the West, why shouldnt Muslim women admire that?

But that is one of the prices or freedom and equality. You can’t demand that everyone share your moral values and maintain freedoms.

I dont mind restriction of freedom. I'd rather see a women in hijab in the street than a women wearing very exposive clothing. I'd restrict freedom to minimize scandal, premarital sex, suicide, rape, abortion, prostitution, pornography and entire list of immorality prevalent in the West. Freedom is not absolute anywhere.

How do Western men disrespect women any more than the disrespect they receive in there own countries? There they are so disrespected that they are not treated with equality (obvious by there own statements)

Women here (America) are seen as pieces of meat and objects of pleasure. In Muslim countries, they are respected and women have self dignity.

Anyone that judges an entire society by one segment of the entertainment industry, needs to broaden there view. PS Neither Superman or Spider Man are real.

Same with you Westerners. Christians view Muslims as desert people worshipping a wierd god. Broaden you mind and go educate yourselves.
(btw, not all Muslims wear turbans and ride camel)

It is!
Suicide bombers and other terrorists acts committed in your name tend to cause that. Don’t attack the reporters, attack the perpetrators.

Most news reports are one sided. I dont blame the "terrorists."

But that is part of freedom. You can’t have it both ways.

Sure. You can get jailed for denying the Holocaust.

Sure, why that is only found in the West. Is it because of all the respect they receive at home? Or is it the disrespect of the West?

Its found in Muslim countries as well. In Iran, for instance, there are 11women members in the parliament. Stop being a hypocrit, broaden your mind.

When asked about what they respect about the Islamic world, they said: “nothing” or “I don’t know”.

Thats because they are being polled over something they have little knowledge over

[KAding]

Funny world we live in where Muslim women appear to think Western women are bad off and Western women no doubt believe Muslim women are being oppressed.

[Immunity]

Funny world we live in where Muslim women appear to think Western women are bad off and Western women no doubt believe Muslim women are being oppressed.

Your diction is even funnier.

Its no coincidece that a big proportion of Muslim converts are European women

[wilberhum]

I dont mind restriction of freedom.
I do.
I'd rather see a women in hijab in the street than a women wearing very exposive clothing.
I wouldn’t.
I'd restrict freedom to minimize scandal, premarital sex, suicide, rape, abortion, prostitution, pornography and entire list of immorality prevalent in the West. Freedom is not absolute anywhere. And what freedoms would you restrict?

Women here (America) are seen as pieces of meat and objects of pleasure. In Muslim countries, they are respected and women have self dignity.
Oh ya! Where are there honor killings? Where are women forced into marriages? Better, where are women sold into marriage? Where is there legalized discrimination against women? I will stop with that

Same with you Westerners. Christians view Muslims as desert people worshipping a wierd god. Broaden you mind and go educate yourselves.
(btw, not all Muslims wear turbans and ride camel)I think I agreed that education is need on both sides.

Most news reports are one sided. I dont blame the "terrorists."
That’s an interesting statement. Do you condone terrorism?
Sure. You can get jailed for denying the Holocaust.
I think that falls under “Hate Crimes” and lying. Freedom of speech does not allow me to incite criminal hate by telling lies.

Its found in Muslim countries as well. In Iran, for instance, there are 11women members in the parliament. Stop being a hypocrit, broaden your mind.
Check out the stats in the West. You will find a 10 fold amount. And what positions in the parliament do they hold? How many women held government positions under the Taliban?

When asked about what they respect about the Islamic world, they said: “nothing” or “I don’t know”.
Thats because they are being polled over something they have little knowledge over.
Now that is really a dumb statement. The women were from Egypt, Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey.

[Immunity]

I do.

I guess we have a difference of opinion here. Too bad freedom is not absolute

And what freedoms would you restrict?

Ban porn, ban alcohol, ban music with offensive content, ban press that unneccessarilly calls for overthrow government, libel, obsecene content, and the list can go on.

Oh ya! Where are there honor killings? Where are women forced into marriages? Better, where are women sold into marriage? Where is there legalized discrimination against women?

Yeah, where?

Any facts from reliable sources?

That’s an interesting statement. Do you condone terrorism?

Depends on the consequence over which the terrorist activity occurred. In most cases, NO. Terrorist activities are conducted by Zionists, Christians and various other groups, but most focus is being placed on Muslim terrorism.

Check out the stats in the West. You will find a 10 fold amount. And what positions in the parliament do they hold? How many women held government positions under the Taliban?

You said that women are not allowed to participate in politics. I have refuted that. Now you want me to compare, lol..... Iran also had a female Vice President. Try to look things from historical context.

I think that falls under “Hate Crimes” and lying. Freedom of speech does not allow me to incite criminal hate by telling lies.

You think wrong. If people can make cartoons about our prophet, they sure can deny the Holocaust to their heart's content. Am I sensing double standard??

Now that is really a dumb statement. The women were from Egypt, Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey.

Learn to read, please!

The Gallup organization conducted another survey that asked more than 1,000 American adults about their view of the Muslim world.

When asked about what they respect about the Islamic world, they said: “nothing” or “I don’t know”, according to Eric Nielsen, a spokesman for Gallup.

Who feels dumb now?

[wilberhum]

Ban porn, ban alcohol, ban music with offensive content, ban press that unneccessarilly calls for overthrow government, libel, obsecene content, and the list can go on.
By the time you get done there would be no freedoms except those that you approve of. I don’t like most of what you want to ban but then I don’t think I have the right to restrict other people’s freedom. If I do then I guess they would have the right to restrict mine.
Soon all freedoms would be gone. No my idea of a good choice.

Oh ya! Where are there honor killings? Where are women forced into marriages? Better, where are women sold into marriage? Where is there legalized discrimination against women?

Yeah, where?

Any facts from reliable sources?
Obviously you don’t have any knowledge or refuse to accept reality. I would suggest some of that education we have been talking about.

Depends on the consequence over which the terrorist activity occurred. So you do condone terrorism. I don’t think you are the one that I want to define my freedoms. You just might give someone the freedom to terrorize me.

You said that women are not allowed to participate in politics. Wrong, I quoted the women. So go blame them.
You think wrong. Only in your bias opinion.
If people can make cartoons about our prophet. They sure can. That is called freedom of speech.
Learn to read, please! Looks like I did and you didn’t. So ya you still look dumb.

If you don’t like freedom or the West, I would suggest that you leave and go some place where they have more restrictions on freedoms and also condone terrorism.

[ACC]

Your diction is even funnier.

Its no coincidece that a big proportion of Muslim converts are European women

Has more to do with going with the husband's religion than anything else.

I await the day when Christians can freely preach in most Muslim nations and apostates do not have to fear death. When that comes, you may not like the results.

[BoiStop]

Salaam,

This debate goes on and on.


salaam

[Woodrow]

Has more to do with going with the husband's religion than anything else.

I await the day when Christians can freely preach in most Muslim nations and apostates do not have to fear death. When that comes, you may not like the results.

Perhaps, that day will come. Although I do not see were it would make little difference as the vast majority of Muslims do not live in Islamic Nations. The largest rate of Islamic Reverts (converts) seem to be within predominatly Christian Nations. But, then again what other nations would converts come from?

There are only one or two nations that have the Death penalty for apostates. That is not a deterrant in most Islamic nations. Through out the Arab World Except for Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan Christians have a pretty large amount of freedom.

[seek.learn]

Salaam o alaikum,
Peace.

So. Everyone agrees both sides need to be more educated. Everyone agrees we need to broaden our views. I would like to add that the muslim countries and we muslims would do well to first actually educate ourselves in regard to our own Religion and try to implement what we supposedly stand for. And yes, unity sounds wonderful!

In surah baqarah, the second chapter of the Quran, verse 104, Allah(SWT) tells the believers to abstain from saying one word and to say another one instead so as to not give a chance to the jews to mock or insult our Prophet (PBUH). So what Allah(SWT) is teaching us is to improve ourselves first, work on ourselves first, and do all in our strength to not give a chance to the disbelievers to point a finger at us.

And He (SWT) says He does not change the state of a nation until they change what is within themselves.

How hard are we striving, as a nation, to do that?

That being said. Every thing has two sides to it. Sure, one could pin point all the wrongs of the muslims, and another could do that same for the west (I apologise for the generalization). Fact is. Both do wrong. Both need to work on whats within them. If we all just keep to our own views giving little way to the others, debates like this really would never end. And I wonder how much we learn and take home from them?

And Allah(SWT) knows best. May Allah(SWT) guide our ummah (nation) and forgive me and us all. Aameen.

Alaikum Salaam
Peace

[dianputri]

[B]
Mogahed also said that most Muslim women said they should have the right to vote, drive, work outside the home and to lead and serve in government.

I agree,,,,

but,,as I watched on OPrah Show that play on MAy27th ago in indonesia, the title of the show is "american women the luckiest women in the world"
and on the show also show the afghanistan woman that had been abuse by her husband and now still in medical treatment. Wish u guys see the woman face. Astaghfirullah!
they (audiences) seems like force to think that muslim woman cover her body and face just to cover weakness and cover their husband's crime...

I dont agree that muslim woman is one of not a lucky women in the world. as I know, it happened to me and life is so beautiful when i first wear my hijab.
I still work, do my activities, ride a motorcycle, shop, climb, travel, go alone outdside my home, etc.
perhaps in some coutries which is not many muslim, they feel weird to woman in hijab which is cover for all her body. and when something happened, perhaps only done by one person like the abuse woman's husband, they strictly claim that muslim is bla,,bla,,bla,,,

infact, goverment indonesia is planning to built regulation for pornography and pornaction. Even many indonesian againts the goverment plan, but I think it is good for next generations attitude, and for woman especially. they will protect from harrasment and abuse.

[HeiGou]

Perhaps, that day will come. Although I do not see were it would make little difference as the vast majority of Muslims do not live in Islamic Nations. The largest rate of Islamic Reverts (converts) seem to be within predominatly Christian Nations. But, then again what other nations would converts come from?

I will happily go on pointing out that in fact the majority of Muslims do live in Muslim majority countries. Those countries may not be Islamic, but they are Muslim. The largest rate of converts is in Africa not in the West or within Christian countries.

There are only one or two nations that have the Death penalty for apostates. That is not a deterrant in most Islamic nations. Through out the Arab World Except for Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan Christians have a pretty large amount of freedom.

Only two have the death penalty but a lot make is hard or punish it in one way or the other - or at least allow it to be punished. What is the penalty in Islamic law for killing a son who has become a Christian? There are supposed to be hundreds of thousands of Malays who have converted but in the entire history of Malaysia Sharia courts have allowed one person to change her religion officially, and that was only after she was dead.

[guyabano]

Again a never ending topic! Sure, as a Westerner christian Men, I do respect islam, as long as it is moderated.
We bulid up our country on our values, on christian values, so you cannot come here now as a muslim, an then try to make your own laws.
Please, we do respect you, we allow you to build some mosques, so on other side, we also expect that you show some respect for our culture !

[KAding]

Your diction is even funnier.

Its no coincidece that a big proportion of Muslim converts are European women

Hmm, but this group appears to be very small. It is estimated that in the Netherlands they number a few thousands, out of a population of 1 million Muslims. It is true the majority of these converts are women, mostly because they have married a Muslim. It does not make sense to deduce general attitudes from women about Islam based on the actions of a few hundred women converts.

It is clear that Westerners overwhelmingly believe Islam is oppressive to women.
http://www.expatica.com/source/site_...%2C+poll+shows

[HeiGou]

I dont agree that muslim woman is one of not a lucky women in the world. as I know, it happened to me and life is so beautiful when i first wear my hijab.

But that would have been your choice wouldn't it? You didn't have the police come and make you do it? Can you see that some things are beautiful and wonderful when you choose them, but may be horrendous when you do not? Sexual intercourse and pregnancy for instance.

infact, goverment indonesia is planning to built regulation for pornography and pornaction. Even many indonesian againts the goverment plan, but I think it is good for next generations attitude, and for woman especially. they will protect from harrasment and abuse.

Why do you think that? A woman can walk down the street in the West and not get harrassed despite the porn everywhere. Try that in Egypt or any other Middle Eastern country - hijab on or not. The more than Indonesia adopts Middle Eastern Islam, the more Middle Eastern it will become. Go to Egypt. See what you are going to turn Indonesia into.