Journalist Yasmin Khatun argues that Muslim women can be successful in their field of employment and be good “homemakers”. She says that the separation of the two is something intentionally misinterpreted by the likes of the Daily Mail.
I do wish labels would stick to the garments we wear as opposed to actual human beings, then I might not mind them so much. Annoying vitriol, gossip, judgement and generalization, labels ranging from moderate to extreme, subservient to feminine, Muslims bear the brunt of this often and Muslim women can feel this to the max.
From the likes of “liberal” Muslim women, ie Yasmin Alibhai Brown, to prejudice-ridden depictions in the Daily Mail. Be it for our dress, attitude, success or religiosity we cannot seem to escape the spotlight. Yes, we wish to be recognized and one of the purposes of our dress is to distinguish us, but seriously?! A filter needs to be put onto the light.
“Career driven” Muslim women
So the Daily Mail writes that “career-driven” Muslim women are to blame for issues regarding marriage, suitability and the acceptance of polygamy (https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2113366/Muslim-women-share-husbands-lack-suitable-men.html).
Because of course according to them a Muslim man only wants to marry a maid and sitter, he doesn’t really want a wife. Or let’s give a little more credit – a Muslim woman working on a checkout somewhere or in the playgrounds of a school because God forbid she enter into the classroom or be able to put pen to paper because she might end up indoctrinating people’s minds.
This is the mindset of those who fear the capabilities of the other because they are the ones who do not completely understand. They do not understand why Muslim women dress the way they do, neither do they understand the position that the father, brother or husband acquires within a Muslim woman’s life.
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So when the Daily Mail writes such garbage it’s ok because I accept that they may never understand, but it was just a few days ago I took issue with a re-hashed version of this piece up on 5Pillarz. Why, because this is the depiction that they “the other,” want.
Polygamy
Polygamy as we know is accepted in Islam but this rationalization and reasoning plays no part and the aim of this piece was not to present religious acceptance rather to depict that it doesn’t fit the “modern” “western” Muslim women’s rational to be a wife and what a wonderful way to do so through their headline!
There is no such thing as a “career-driven Muslim woman” because Muslims are not driven by anything other than their desire to please Allah (swt), because it was for such purpose that they were created and the declaration of faith presents the acknowledgement of the task.
These articles instigate and re-enforce stereotypes and aim to separate the notions of success and Islam.
Muslims aspire towards excellence that is what we do. We focus on the opportunities provided to please our Lord, be that as a daughter, sister, auntie, friend, employer, employee, mother or a wife. We were made to excel and that is what we aim to do. Some may find this threatening because, we are the best of women and the best of wives.
@yasm1nk
Yasmin is a journalist and producer for Islam Channel, producing both Bangladesh in Crisis and The Report as well as working on documentary features. Writing for different publications, she writes about politics, religion and fashion.
