Why Islam has such a Terrible Reputation
Anti Secularism
Islam views religion as encompassing all aspects of life, including politics, law, and personal behavior. Sharia law, derived from the Qur’an and Hadith, is seen as a divine legal framework that governs all Muslims. For devout Muslims, this creates a conflict with secular laws that may contradict religious principles. The idea that laws and government should be completely detached from religious values is incompatible with Islamic thought, which holds that God’s laws are superior to man-made systems.
Violence Against Women
Violence against women is a significant issue in many Muslim-majority countries. Street harassment, gender-based violence, and sexual assault are persistent problems that continue to affect the safety and well-being of women in these regions. The cultural and societal norms in some of these countries often exacerbate these issues, contributing to an environment where women face daily threats simply for existing in public spaces.
The Quran includes verses that emphasize modesty and prescribe guidelines for women’s dress. These verses have been interpreted in various ways, justifying restrictions or violent behaviors towards women. Key verses include:
- Surah An-Nur (24:31): Instructs women to lower their gaze, guard their chastity, and cover their adornments, encouraging modesty.
- Surah Al-Ahzab (33:59): Advises women to draw cloaks over their bodies to avoid harassment, suggesting that modesty in dress will protect women from inappropriate behavior.
Countries Struggling the Most with Violence Against Women:
1. Egypt: A country with alarming rates of street harassment, where surveys reveal that a large percentage of women experience sexual harassment in public places.
2. Pakistan: Gender-based violence, including domestic abuse and sexual harassment, is widespread. Cultural norms play a significant role in underreporting these incidents, leaving many women vulnerable.
3. Afghanistan: Women endure severe restrictions and violence, particularly street harassment and sexual assault. The ongoing conflict and conservative societal norms further worsen these challenges.
4. Bangladesh: High levels of violence, including rape and harassment, persist, despite efforts to address these issues.
5. Morocco: Women frequently report street harassment and violence, making public spaces unsafe for many.
Burqa
The burqa, a full-body covering that conceals a woman’s face and body, is often portrayed as a choice made by women in observance of their faith. However, this narrative fails to acknowledge the deep-seated social and familial pressures that compel women to wear such garments. From a young age, many girls in conservative Muslim communities are taught that their bodies are inherently sexual and that covering up is a religious obligation. This indoctrination, coupled with societal expectations, strips away the notion of genuine choice.
Islam Supporting FGM
In Islamic culture, FGM is sometimes referred to as khafḍ or khifaḍ (Arabic: خِفَض). Although these terms may suggest milder forms of the practice, the World Health Organization (WHO) defines even the “less severe” forms of FGM, such as Type I (which involves the removal of the clitoral hood and/or clitoral glans), as highly harmful. Despite this, Type I is still referred to as sunna, meaning “recommended,” in some Muslim communities.
The religious justification for FGM can be traced back to certain hadiths. One from the Sunan Abu Dawood collection advises a circumcision practitioner: “Do not cut severely, as that is better for a woman and more desirable for a husband.” Similarly, another from Sahih Muslim states: “The Messenger of Allah said: When anyone sits amidst four parts (of the woman) and the circumcised parts touch each other a bath becomes obligatory.” These texts have been interpreted by some Muslim scholars as a religious endorsement for FGM, fueling its continued practice.
The issue became particularly controversial in Egypt in 2012 when the Muslim Brotherhood attempted to decriminalize FGM. They proposed offering circumcision to women for a nominal fee as part of their community services, a move that threatened to reverse decades of progress in curbing this dangerous practice. Some members of the Brotherhood argued that while FGM is not obligatory, it is still makrumā (noble, preferable, and pleasing in the eyes of God).
Welfare Tourism
Economic Migrants and the Rise of “Welfare Tourism”
Economic migration is often portrayed as a search for better opportunities. However, a darker side of this movement, referred to as “welfare tourism,” has garnered attention. This term describes individuals who move to countries not for employment but to exploit welfare systems, without the intention of contributing to the economy through taxes or labor.
Migrants labeled as “welfare tourists” employ various methods to access benefits unlawfully:
- Falsifying information to receive government aid they are not entitled to.
- Exploiting loopholes in the system to maximize benefits.
- Avoiding taxes while claiming benefits, intentionally remaining outside the labor force.
A significant proportion of these migrants come from Muslim-majority countries in the Middle East and Africa, where a combination of economic hardship and lack of opportunities at home drives individuals to seek better conditions abroad. The following countries are notable sources of these migrants:
1. Pakistan: Many Pakistani migrants head to Europe, attracted by the prospect of welfare systems that offer financial support.
2. Bangladesh: Migrants from Bangladesh also predominantly head to Europe, lured by the social safety nets in countries like the UK and France.
3. Turkey: Historical waves of Turkish migration to Germany have led to ongoing concerns about integration, as many have struggled to assimilate fully into their host country’s culture.
4. Algeria and Morocco: Known for significant migration to France, the inflow of North African migrants has been linked to rising concerns about crime, particularly violent incidents involving knives, which some commentators attribute to Algeria’s so-called “knife culture.”
The rise of these migration trends has fueled fears about the erosion of social services, increased crime, and the overall cost to host nations, which often struggle to balance their budgets while supporting large populations of undocumented or under-integrated migrants.
Halal Meat
The halal meat debate goes beyond animal welfare and taps into deeper cultural and religious tensions in Western societies. In many non-Muslim-majority countries, the increasing availability of halal products has led to concerns that Islamic customs are being imposed on the broader population. Accommodating halal practices — whether in schools, restaurants, or public institutions — sets a dangerous precedent for the integration of religious law into secular societies.
In Europe, particularly, the rise of halal meat has fueled anxieties over immigration, multiculturalism, and the erosion of national identities. For many, the push to accommodate halal meat in public spaces is seen as an unwelcome imposition of foreign religious practices. It raises concerns about the balance between respecting religious freedom and maintaining the secular nature of Western societies. The availability of halal options in supermarkets and schools may seem harmless at first, but for critics, it represents a gradual acceptance of religious norms that clash with Western values.
