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Why European women are turning to Islam
The Christian Science Monitor ^ | December 27, 2005 | Peter Ford

Posted on 12/26/2005 6:41:01 PM PST by jailbird

 
Why European women are turning to Islam

By Peter Ford | Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor

PARIS – Mary Fallot looks as unlike a terrorist suspect as one could possibly imagine: a petite and demure white Frenchwoman chatting with friends on a cell-phone, indistinguishable from any other young woman in the café where she sits sipping coffee.

And that is exactly why European antiterrorist authorities have their eyes on thousands like her across the continent.

(Photograph)
NO, LISTEN: When Mary Fallot converted, her surprised co-workers asked if she had a Muslim boyfriend. Actually, she explained, she was drawn to Islam by the answers it provided.
PETER FORD

Ms. Fallot is a recent convert to Islam. In the eyes of the police, that makes her potentially dangerous.

The death of Muriel Degauque, a Belgian convert who blew herself up in a suicide attack on US troops in Iraq last month, has drawn fresh attention to the rising number of Islamic converts in Europe, most of them women.

"The phenomenon is booming, and it worries us," the head of the French domestic intelligence agency, Pascal Mailhos, told the Paris-based newspaper Le Monde in a recent interview. "But we must absolutely avoid lumping everyone together."

The difficulty, security experts explain, is that while the police may be alert to possible threats from young men of Middle Eastern origin, they are more relaxed about white European women. Terrorists can use converts who "have added operational benefits in very tight security situations" where they might not attract attention, says Magnus Ranstorp, a terrorism expert at the Swedish National Defense College in Stockholm.

Ms. Fallot, who converted to Islam three years ago after asking herself spiritual questions to which she found no answers in her childhood Catholicism, says she finds the suspicion her new religion attracts "wounding." "For me," she adds, "Islam is a message of love, of tolerance and peace."

It is a message that appeals to more and more Europeans as curiosity about Islam has grown since 9/11, say both Muslim and non-Muslim researchers. Although there are no precise figures, observers who monitor Europe's Muslim population estimate that several thousand men and women convert each year.

Only a fraction of converts are attracted to radical strands of Islam, they point out, and even fewer are drawn into violence. A handful have been convicted of terrorist offenses, such as Richard Reid, the "shoe bomber" and American John Walker Lindh, who was captured in Afghanistan.

Admittedly patchy research suggests that more women than men convert, experts say, but that - contrary to popular perception - only a minority do so in order to marry Muslim men.

"That used to be the most common way, but recently more [women] are coming out of conviction," says Haifa Jawad, who teaches at Birmingham University in Britain. Though non-Muslim men must convert in order to marry a Muslim woman, she points out, the opposite is not true.

Fallot laughs when she is asked whether her love life had anything to do with her decision. "When I told my colleagues at work that I had converted, their first reaction was to ask whether I had a Muslim boyfriend," she recalls. "They couldn't believe I had done it of my own free will."

In fact, she explains, she liked the way "Islam demands a closeness to God. Islam is simpler, more rigorous, and it's easier because it is explicit. I was looking for a framework; man needs rules and behavior to follow. Christianity did not give me the same reference points."

Those reasons reflect many female converts' thinking, say experts who have studied the phenomenon. "A lot of women are reacting to the moral uncertainties of Western society," says Dr. Jawad. "They like the sense of belonging and caring and sharing that Islam offers."

Others are attracted by "a certain idea of womanhood and manhood that Islam offers," suggests Karin van Nieuwkerk, who has studied Dutch women converts. "There is more space for family and motherhood in Islam, and women are not sex objects."

At the same time, argues Sarah Joseph, an English convert who founded "Emel," a Muslim lifestyle magazine, "the idea that all women converts are looking for a nice cocooned lifestyle away from the excesses of Western feminism is not exactly accurate."

Some converts give their decision a political meaning, says Stefano Allievi, a professor at Padua University in Italy. "Islam offers a spiritualization of politics, the idea of a sacred order," he says. "But that is a very masculine way to understand the world" and rarely appeals to women, he adds.

After making their decision, some converts take things slowly, adopting Muslim customs bit by bit: Fallot, for example, does not yet feel ready to wear a head scarf, though she is wearing longer and looser clothes than she used to.

Others jump right in, eager for the exoticism of a new religion, and become much more pious than fellow mosque-goers who were born into Islam. Such converts, taking an absolutist approach, appear to be the ones most easily led into extremism.

The early stages of a convert's discovery of Islam "can be quite a sensitive time," says Batool al-Toma, who runs the "New Muslims" program at the Islamic Foundation in Leicester, England.

"You are not confident of your knowledge, you are a newcomer, and you could be prey to a lot of different people either acting individually or as members of an organization," Ms. Al-Toma explains. A few converts feel "such a huge desire to fit in and be accepted that they are ready to do just about anything," she says.

"New converts feel they have to prove themselves," adds Dr. Ranstorp. "Those who seek more extreme ways of proving themselves can become extraordinarily easy prey to manipulation."

At the same time, says al-Toma, converts seeking respite in Islam from a troubled past - such as Degauque, who had reportedly drifted in and out of drugs and jobs before converting to Islam - might be persuaded that such an "ultimate action" as a suicide bomb attack offered an opportunity for salvation and forgiveness.

"The saddest conclusion" al-Toma draws from Degauque's death in Iraq is that "a woman who set out on the road to inner peace became a victim of people who set out to use and abuse her."
 


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Extended News; Foreign Affairs; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: 2fewmenineurope; becauseturbansdirty; convert; dhimmitude; europeanmuslims; islam; muslimwomen; myturbanisdirty; religion; religionofslavery; whywomenshouldntvote
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To: theOffice

bump


201 posted on 12/28/2005 10:43:15 AM PST by timestax
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To: jailbird

"Why European women are turning to Islam"

'cause they won't have to shave their legs? Wait....oh, nevermind.


202 posted on 12/28/2005 10:48:11 AM PST by toddlintown (Lennon takes six bullets to the chest, Yoko is standing right next to him and not one f'ing bullet?)
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To: Iscool
Back in the early 70's, I 'lived' with a girl that was Catholic...We'd get drunked up on the weekends and she would go to church on Sunday...I went with her one time...

Didn't understand much of anything since most of it was in Latin...Hey, what a beautiful building tho...

Catholics have worshipped in the vernacular since the mid 1960's. Either the "early 70's" part is true, or the Latin part is true, but they both can't be. I lived through those years and remember them well.

203 posted on 12/28/2005 10:56:48 AM PST by Campion ("I am so tired of you, liberal church in America" -- Mother Angelica, 1993)
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To: jailbird

Because Euro-men are Nancy-boys.


204 posted on 12/28/2005 10:57:42 AM PST by reg45
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To: airborne

She won't be nearly so hot in a burqa.


205 posted on 12/28/2005 11:00:06 AM PST by reg45
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To: Campion

1972 to be exact...Believe it, or not...Makes no matter to me...


206 posted on 12/28/2005 2:39:56 PM PST by Iscool (Start your own revolution by voting for the candidates the media (and gov't) tells you cannot win.)
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To: TAdams8591

Fat American men have Kripsy Kreme, Star Trek and Internet porn--they don't need Islam.


207 posted on 12/29/2005 4:07:38 PM PST by ECM
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To: jailbird
In fact, she explains, she liked the way "Islam demands a closeness to God. Islam is simpler, more rigorous, and it's easier because it is explicit. I was looking for a framework; man needs rules and behavior to follow. Christianity did not give me the same reference points."

What a shame that so many continue to think that they must "earn" their way.

Eph 2:8-9: For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.

208 posted on 12/29/2005 4:16:11 PM PST by ken in texas (Can't afford a tagline... please send money.)
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To: jailbird
Islam is simpler, more rigorous, and it's easier because it is explicit. I was looking for a framework; man needs rules and behavior to follow. Christianity did not give me the same reference points."

????

Focus and understanding which requires personal effort via conviction is lost anymore.

209 posted on 12/29/2005 4:17:37 PM PST by EGPWS
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To: jailbird
For some reason I didn't find any numbers in the post.

How many are actually turning to Islam?

210 posted on 12/29/2005 4:22:39 PM PST by Utah Binger (Proud To Have Recovered!)
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To: Chairman Fred

"European women really want to join the Culture of Rape???"

The Religion of Islam is strikingly similar to what a human trafficker would do to trap a woman to become a prostitute. They show the good, and then when they have control, the bad is revealed.

The contradictions in the Koran are massive...and the IMAMs are extremely skilled in spreading the word...They start with someones house, then the community, town/City, state, and country....by separating the classes, races or wherever they can "provoke" the current government and status quo...One person at a time....Then, they blame the authorities and lie about the responses from the government or military, police etc....."See we told you so" type of idea.

They show the nice, peaceful, love your fellow man, etc....and they have completely analyzed the other religions to show where they are wrong. Then, they start pulling people in with incredible charisma. Once they have the convert, they work with them, to build the relationship. It's the same thing as Jim Jones. Islam is actually a very large cult group. For example...The Peoples Temple was initially structured as an inter-racial mission for the sick, homeless and jobless. He assembled a large following of over 900 members in Indianapolis IN during the 1950's. "He preached a 'social gospel' of human freedom, equality, and love, which required helping the least and the lowliest of society's members. Later on, however, this gospel became explicitly socialistic, or communistic in Jones' own view, and the hypocrisy of white Christianity was ridiculed while 'apostolic socialism' was preached." 1 It was an interracial congregation -- almost unheard of in Indiana at the time.

Jones developed a belief called Translation in which he and his followers would all die together, and would move to another planet for a life of bliss. Mass suicides were practiced in which his followers pretended to drink poison and fell to the ground.

The same with Islam, or a human trafficker, they show the good parts until they get the convert. Then about the time the recruit, who is now bringing people in, they get those "obedient eyes", the manipulation begins. They are looking for converts that do not fit the Arab look, for suicide bomber, gathering intelligence, and other uses....Most Americans have no, I mean no idea how it works. The Saudi Prince who offered New York money for rebuilding after 911 was told where to stick their "blood money". However, it appears that Harvard and GWU, stupidly took the 20 million each from a Saudi Prince 2-3 weeks ago to teach Islam in the college. Now, the Prince basically owns Harvard and GWU. I saw how they worked when I was living in Saudi Arabia for four years and in Kosovo for five years. These are facts and not opinions, I might add.


211 posted on 12/29/2005 4:32:39 PM PST by tgambill (I would like to comment.....)
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To: jailbird
"There is more space for family and motherhood in Islam, and women are not sex objects."

Then she has no f**king clue. Mohammad was a pediphile. Islam and sexual slavery go hand in hand. I guess even the mass rapes of Swedish women by muslim men did not cross her mind either.

212 posted on 12/29/2005 5:08:28 PM PST by Paul_Denton (The U.S. should adopt the policy of Oom Shmoom: Israeli policy where no one gives a sh*t about U.N.)
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To: jailbird
"Islam is a message of love, of tolerance and peace."


213 posted on 12/29/2005 5:10:38 PM PST by Paul_Denton (The U.S. should adopt the policy of Oom Shmoom: Israeli policy where no one gives a sh*t about U.N.)
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To: gotribe; jailbird

gotribe has it. The New Testament is plenty fuzzy. That's why you have liberal denominations, conservative ones, the Catholic Church, etc. Islam is all about ordering people to do specific things. You don't have authors speculating on possible meanings of words and verses, like in Christianity. There's no dissent in Islam.


214 posted on 12/29/2005 5:24:21 PM PST by GraniteStateConservative (...He had committed no crime against America so I did not bring him here...-- Worst.President.Ever.)
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To: Uncle Vlad
Tales of Valour

Narrator.....Darrell Hammond
Garkenlot.....Jack Black
Sir Parrish.....Jimmy Fallon
Virgin.....Amy Poehler
Himself.....Tracy Morgan



Announcer: It's time once again for "Tales of Valour".

[ dissolve to Narrator sitting at chair with book in his hand ]

Narrator: Tonight's Tale of Valour is entitled "The Song of Parrish", and it deals with a kingdom under the spell of a horrible monster. Once a year, the people were forced to sacrifice a virgin of fair face and noble temperament to this foul beast. This year,however, was different, for the brave knight, Sir Parrish, had set out to rescue his true love, Maid Gwendolyn.

[ dissolve to the monster Gorkenlot salivating over the fresh, young virgin ]

Gorkenlot: Yes! Yeah!

[ Sir Parrish jumps into the scene ]

Sir Parrish: Unhand her, you foul beast!

Gorkenlot: Who dares challenge Garkenlot?

Sir Parrish: I am Parrish the Lionhearted, true love to the Maid Gwendolyn. [ holds up his mighty sword ] Release her at once, or suffer at the steel of my sword, which has been forged by the fires of Mount Thunder, and bequeathed to me by the -

[ Gorkenlot simply punches Sir Parrish in the face, knocking him to the ground ]

Sir Parrish: Dammit! you're quick for a mosnter.

Gorkenlot: Any last words?

Sir Parrish: I'm sorry I have failed you, Gwendolyn.

Maid Gwendolyn: You have braved, and I will always love thee.

Sir Parrish: Of all the wanton women in the village, you stood above them as the purest.

Gorkenlot: [ sidetracked by this information ] Wait, wait - there's a lot of women in your village.

Sir Parrish: Yes.

Gorkenlot: Maybe we can strike a little bargain here.

Sir Parrish: I might be willing to listen to something.

Gorkenlot: I'll let you live, and you can take the virgin with you. But you have to bring me back a slutty girl.

Sir Parrish: [ confused and outraged ] What?!

Gorkenlot: You know, like a bored housewife who's kind of hot and feels neglected by her husband.

Sir Parrish: But you don't want a virgin?

Gorkenlot: I'll be honest with you, buddy - on paper, a virgin sounds great. But in reality, not that good.

Sir Parrish: But I thought even a monster would desire someone who was pure.

Gorkenlot: I'm just looking for a woman who knows what she's doing.

Maid Gwendolyn: There's nothing to be prized above purity.

Sir Parrish: I cherish your purity.

Gorkenlot: Yeah. Come talk to me after your wedding night. Tell me how great it was.

Sir Parrish: So you want a slutty girl?

Gorkenlot: Absolutely! Now, come on, let me think.. I like dark hair, what else? I don't want a skinny girl, either. I like a little junk in the trunk!

Sir Parrish: So you want a big girl?

Gorkenlot: No, no, no! I don't want a hog! But, you know, a few extra pounds are okay. Let's face it - bones are for dogs!

Sir Parrish: Okay!

Gorkenlot: Maybe a lady in her 40's, who might be a little more sexually adventurous!

Sir Parrish: So virgins aren't adventurous?

Gorkenlot: Again - talk to me after your wedding night.

Maid Gwendolyn: Listen. I can be adventurous. I-I-I once French-kissed a boy for ten seconds!

Gorkenlot: She's a real hell cat!

Maid Gwendolyn: After we're married, I might leave the lights on while we do it!

Sir Parrish: [ alarmed ] Ouch! I see what you mean.

Gorkenlot: And good luck getting her to go down south!

Sir Parrish: Really?

Gorkenlot: And if you do talk them into it, they think it's a chew toy! Ah!

Sir Parrish: Is that why you let last year's sacrifice go free?

Gorkenlot: No! She was thirteen! I'm a monster, but that's sick!

Sir Parrish: I didn't know it was so tough being a monster.

Gorkenlot: Well, it is! I don't want to be a monster. I don't want to hurt your village. All I've ever wanted.. is to be loved.

Sir Parrish: I think I understand. A witch turned you into a monster, and you have to get a woman to fall in love with you before you can turn back into a prince.

Gorkenlot: Hey, if that'll get a nasty broad up here, sure I'll go with it! So go untie your lady, get out of here!

Maid Gwendolyn: You know, I can be wild - I own a black bra.

Sir Parrish: [ unties Gwendolyn ] Hey, I was thinking.. maybe we should give each other space..

Maid Gwendolyn: [ confused ] What?

Gorkenlot: Hey, hurry back now - with the slutty girl!

Sir Parrish: [ laughing ] I promise, Gorkenlot!

Gorkenlot: Hey! If you're not back by Friday, I'm gonna kill your whole family!

[ dissolve back to Narrator, his nose buried in his book ]

Narrator: And Sir Parrish kept his word, and brought the monster a slutty older woman. She kind of looked like Melanie Griffith with dark hair. And there's pictures in this book of them doing it! But, because this is TV, I can't show them to you. But, take it from me, a connoisseur of porn, they look so great. Daddy like! D-yamn! I gotta show this book to Tracy. [ looks offstage ] Hey, Tracy! Check this out!

[ Tracy Morgan enters stage and looks over Narrator's shoulder at the book ]

Tracy Morgan: Oh, snap! That monster's bonin' that lady! That's hilarious!

[ fade out ]
215 posted on 12/29/2005 5:35:32 PM PST by GraniteStateConservative (...He had committed no crime against America so I did not bring him here...-- Worst.President.Ever.)
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To: Mordacious
They've grown up without acquiring any understanding of the nature of evil and, as such, are incapable of recognizing it when it comes calling.

That's what happens in an environment of moral relativism.

216 posted on 12/29/2005 8:06:04 PM PST by Uncle Vlad
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To: GraniteStateConservative

LOL!


217 posted on 12/29/2005 8:07:59 PM PST by Uncle Vlad
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To: toddlintown

Perhaps they should read this:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1547480/posts?page=1


218 posted on 12/29/2005 8:08:44 PM PST by Uncle Vlad
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