Female Desire and Islamic Trauma

Danielpipes.org ^ | May 25th,2004 | Daniel Pipes

[maica]

Sounds like a plan to me! Liberate the women!

[sweneop]

It sounds like muslim men have perfected the "It's not my fault, I'm just a victim" mentality. Who knew how passionate and seductive all those seldom-showered/covered/cowering/servant/wives really were!

in many muslim countries (esp africa and how afghanistan was), the description you gave would be accurate, but in more modern cities and in the more advanced parts of the islamic world you are VASTLY underestimating the women if you think they are cowering and servile. they have jobs, they have friends, they have opinions, and many of them are the real power in the family as well.

the stereotype is accurate for many women, and these women desperately need our help. but dont make the mistake of thinking they are all the same or painting some shallow picture of them. believe me, the women from some of these places are no pushovers.

[maica]

I was not stating my opinion of muslim women, but rather the picture illustrated by the author of this article.

I should not have added the "seldom-showered" to the description - that was just my free association of the difference in the image of female as femme fatale, whose power is so feared that she has to be covered head-to-toe, and the reality of a lot of muslim women, whose husbands really do try to keep them in a second -rate position in the household.

Of course I am not speaking about all muslim women!!!! I worked with independent muslim women, and also some very subjugated wives.