Estimated reading time: 11 minute(s)
We know, or at least should know by now, that American mainstream media demonizes Islam constantly. I hear repeated jargon of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) being a pedophile. I hear that the oppression of women is a religious obligation. Of course, none of these are true, yet they contribute to a justified hatred towards Islam and Muslims altogether. They are believed fairy tales and it’s about time people grow up and realize how silly they are:
“Islam hates women and the Hijab oppresses Muslims.”
Actually, in Islam, women are respected and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) spoke about treating women with kindness. Islam teaches that heaven lies at the feet of our mothers. Islam also gives equal rights to women. Woman are to be treated with the utmost respect and honor.
By Nzinga Muhammad
The hijab, and really any covering we wear, is a choice that Muslim women make. It is to show our devotion to Allah (God), and to reject the unwanted sexualization and objectification of our bodies. The hijab or any other head/body covering does not oppress us. Can non-Muslim, white feminists stop concerning themselves with our choices? I hope that when you say “Ok but women can wear whatever they want!” that you also include the Muslims who voluntarily want to cover our hair/bodies.
Yes, men have tampered with the true teachings of Islam to fit their sexist systems, but that’s not Islamic. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) would be very disappointed.
Not to mention, other religions have head coverings for their women, so it’s not just a “Muslim thing”. I don’t know why a Muslim in a niqab, burqa, or hijab is demonized, but a nun is considered a “devoted worshipper”. I don’t know why in all the depictions of the mother of Jesus, Mary, she’s covering her hair, but only those who say “Allahuakbar ” are wrong for wearing a veil.
“Muhammad was a pedophile. Aishah was nine when he raped her, so child brides are ok in Islam.”
Let me first say, rape in Islam is punishable by death. Paedophilia is also haram, therefore forbidden. I find it hard to imagine and believe that someone who was revealed the wisdom of the Holy Qur’an would be that low and vile.
Evidence shows that Aishah was actually older than fourteen (probably nineteen) at the consummation of her marriage, not nine. America has a history of women being nineteen years old, or younger, with a husband.
I don’t think Americans are fit to speak about other countries as though they are holy. The same thing goes on at home. “Child brides” exist in America, but your fake concern for them and the Middle East is only present to demonize Islam. Virginia this month banned child marriages.
No, it’s not as common here as other places, but that still does not make America’s hands clean. That still doesn’t mean child marriages and paedophilia is some Islamic sunnah. It’s not. Usually the people who associate child brides with Islam have never actually read the Holy Qur’an, nor do they really care about girls being married off at young ages.
I’m not saying don’t have a concern for them or don’t speak on what’s happening. I’m saying: don’t think America is clear of paedophilia and child brides, and don’t use those girls as your tools to slander Islam, instead of coming up with solutions for them.
“All terrorists are Muslim”
Actually, only 6% of terrorists are under the label “Muslim”, even though terrorism is completely unislamic. We aren’t to be the aggressors, although fighting with those who fight with us is ordained.
You should be more concerned about white, “Christian”, terrorists who terrorize people in churches, schools, and movie theatres. Or even The KKK who wants to make a comeback. How about the police? Americans are more likely to be killed by a policeman than a “terrorist”, so especially as a black person, my threat isn’t overseas, it’s at the police station.
This propaganda about Islam/Muslims is not based on facts, nor does it come from the mouths of those who have read the Holy Qur’an from cover to cover and understood it. Hands Off Islam.
(Follow Nzinga Muhammad on Twitter @QueenNzinga13)
