1. "Rose Hamid is as American as they come. She drives a Ford station wagon, leads a local Girl Scout troop, shops at the Gap and just attended her 20-year high school reunion" From this brief description of Rose, readers may have formed a particular picture of her in their minds. If they were told, however, that "Rose Hamid wears a head scarf in keeping with her Muslim faith,'" that picture might take a drastic turn. She's Muslim? Images of suppressed, meek, black-enshrouded women submitting to the demands of their dominating husbands race through some readers' minds. But why is this the case? Would we see Rose any differently if she were Christian or Jewish? The answer is probably no, but since she is a Muslim woman, it is difficult not to have some preconceptions of her.

2. "Whosoever supports two daughters till they mature, he and I will come in the day of judgment as this (and he pointed with his two fingers held together)." [Ahmad] Mother, Wife, Daughter – the roles of these “oppressed” individuals in Islam "Whosoever has a daughter and he does not bury her alive, does not insult her, and does not favour his son over her, Allah will enter him into Paradise." [Ahmad]

3. Images and stories from the media portray Muslim women as insignificant people under cruelty and abuse, hence, many people believe that women are oppressed under Islam. HOWEVER... Since the time Islam was revealed and spread, it had brought the concept of equality among both genders, which defies all popular stereotypes. Islam revolutionized the lives of women by giving them their rights and dignity. Since more than 1,400 years, women were considered full people under the Islamic Law, they had the opportunity to vote, own property, earn money, inherit, initiate divorce, control their wealth, and received equal pay and respect as men did... It is important to note that many of these factors are still NOT equal in today's society for example, it has only been 80 years since women have had the right to vote in Britain and equal pay amongst both genders is still an issue in society today.

4. Muslim Daughter In pre-Islamic times, baby girls were often buried alive to prevent shaming the family or tribe. Hence, in many Eastern cultures, the birth of a girl is often unwelcomed and associated with shame and dishonour whilst the birth of a boy is glorified and dignified. This is incorrect and is not a part of Islamic teachings. 1. In response to this infanticide, the Quran forbade treating a female child as disgraceful and states that both baby boys and girls are equally a blessing from God. The Qur'an ended the cruel pre-Islamic practice of female infanticide : “When the female (infant) buried alive is questioned for what crime she was killed....” (Qur'an 81:8-9) 2. The Qur'an went further to rebuke the unwelcoming attitude of some parents upon hearing the news of the birth of a baby girl, instead of a baby boy: “When news is brought to one of them of (the birth of) a female (child), his face darkens and he is filled with inward grief! With shame he hides himself from his people because of the bad news he has had! Shall he retain her on (sufferance and) contempt or bury her in the dust? Ah! what an evil (choice) they decide on!” (Qur'an 16:58-59) 3. Parents are duty-bound to support and show kindness and justice to their daughters and Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) even guaranteed Paradise to those fathers who bring up their daughters with "benevolent treatment“: “Whosoever has a daughter and does not bury her alive, does not insult her, and does not favor his son over her, Allah will enter him into Paradise” (Ahmad) “Whosoever supports two daughters until they mature, he and I will come on the day of judgment as this (and he pointed with his two fingers held together)” (Ahmad) 4. A crucial aspect in the upbringing of daughters that greatly influenced their future is education. Education is not only a right but a responsibility for all males and females. Prophet Muhammad (P) said, "Seeking knowledge is mandatory for every Muslim.“ "Muslim" here is inclusive of both males and females. In the Prophets (pbuh) time women excelled in medicine. He encouraged the women of his household to learn medicine from those who knew it and pitched a tent in the yard of his mosque in Madina and appointed a lady named Rufaidah to run it as a field hospital, nurse the wounded and care for homeless newcomers to Madina.

5. Muslim Mother The Qur'an elevates kindness to parents (especially mothers) to a status second only to the worship of Allah. “Your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him and that you be kind to parents. Whether one or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of contempt nor repel them, but address them in terms of honour.” (Qur'an 17:23) "Show gratitude to me and to your parents: to Me is (your final) destiny." (Qur'an 31:14) 2. Naturally, the Prophet (pbuh) specified this behaviour for his followers, rendering to mothers an unequalled status in human relationships. A man came to Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) asking: "O Messenger of Allah, who among the people is the most worthy of my good companionship?" The Prophet (Pbuh) said, "Your mother". The man said, "Then, who is next?" The Prophet (Pbuh) said, "Your mother". The man said, "Then, who is next?" The Prophet (Pbuh) said, "Your mother". The man further asked, "Then who is next?" Only then did the Prophet (Pbuh) say, "Your father." (Al-Bukhari) These both reflect the importance, virtue and respect mothers are associated with. Jannath (Paradise) is also said to be under your mothers feet for a Muslim individual again reflecting the high status given to mothers in Islam.

6. Muslim Sister According to Prophet Muhammad's (Pbuh) saying "Women are but sisters (shaqa'iq or twin halves) of men." This is a profound statement that directly relates to the issue of human equality between the genders. If the first meaning of shaqa'iq is adopted, it means that a male is worth one half (of society), with the female worth the other half. Can "one half" be better or bigger than the other half? Is there a more simple but profound physical image of equality? If the second meaning, "sisters," is adopted, it implies the same. The chapter in the Quran entitled "Women" begins with the passage saying, "O humanity, be reverent to your Lord who created you from one soul and created its mate from it, and from these two disseminated many men and women." Here, in very blatant terms, it is stated that women and men are made from the same soul, and therefore, how could one gender possibly be inferior? 3. Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) taught kindness care and respect toward women in general: "I commend you to be kind to women”. It is significant that this instruction of the Prophet (Pbuh) was among his final instructions and reminders before passing away

7. Muslim Wife Marriage in Islam is based on mutual peace, love, and compassion, and not just the mere satisfying of human sexual desire. Among the most impressive verses in the Quran about marriage is the following: And of His signs is: that He created for you from yourselves mates that you may find tranquillity in them; and He placed between you affection and mercy. Indeed in that are signs for a people who give thought. (Quran, 30:21, see also 42:11 and 2:228). The female has the right to accept or reject marriage proposals. According to the Islamic Law, women cannot be forced to marry anyone without their consent. Her consent is a prerequisite to the validity of the marital contract, according to the Prophet's teaching. It follows that if an "arranged marriage" means the marrying of a female without her consent, then such a marriage may be annulled if the female so wishes: IbnAbbas reported that a girl came to the Messenger of Allah, and she reported that her father had forced her to marry without her consent. The Messenger of God gave her the choice...(between accepting the marriage or invalidating it) (Ahmad, Hadith no. 2469). The husband is responsible for the maintenance, protection, and overall leadership of the family, within the framework of consultation (see the Quran 2:233) and kindness (see the Quran 4:19). The mutuality and complementarily of husband and wife does not mean subservience by either party to the other. The Prophet Muhammad instructed Muslims regarding women: {I commend you to be good to women.} And {The best among you are those who are best to their wives.} “They are your garments and you are their garments, the function of garments being to protect, cover, and adorn” (Quran 2:187). 4. The Quran urges husbands to be kind and considerate to their wives, even if a wife falls out of favour with her husband or disinclination for her arises within him: ...And live with them in kindness. For if you dislike them, perhaps you dislike a thing and God makes therein much good. (Quran, 4:19) After the marriage, a woman does not become the possession of her husband and is supposed to retain her own name and identity. "An American judge once commented on the rights of Muslim women saying: A Muslim girl may marry ten times, but her individuality is not absorbed by that of her various husbands. She is a solar planet with a name and legal personality of her own'" (Dr Sheriff) Divorce is a last resort, permissible but not encouraged, for the Quran esteems the preservation of faith and the individual’s right -male and female alike- to felicity. Forms of marriage dissolution include an enactment based upon mutual agreement, the husband’s initiative, the wife’s initiative (if part of her marital contract), the court’s decision on a wife’s initiative (for a legitimate reason), and the wife’s initiative without a cause, provided that she returns her marital gift to her husband. When the continuation of the marriage relationship is impossible for any reason, men are still taught to seek a gracious end for it. The Quran states about such cases: And when you divorce women and they have fulfilled their term (i.e. waiting period), either keep them in kindness or release them in kindness, and do not keep them, intending harm, to transgress (against them). (Quran, 2:231, see also 2:229 and 33:49).

8. What's more, Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world today, and the biggest number of converts is made up of Western women. Most female converts are attracted to Islam for the respect and dignity that Islam demands for women. But what about the Hijab??? Whats that about??

9. The Hijab The Hijab, a cloth that is worn around the head of a Muslim woman, is often misunderstood as a way to keep women hidden and inferior to men. If a woman does wear it, her motivation is to represent modesty that so others will focus more on their personality rather than their appearance. Western media often portray the Muslim veil as a suppressive force in a woman's life. Every Muslim woman is required to wear a scarf or some sort of head-covering and loose-fitting, modest attire. This is not a means of controlling a woman's sexuality or suppressing her but rather, is used to protect her. It is hoped that by dressing this way she will not be seen as a mere sex symbol but will be appreciated for her mind. Furthermore, it will not subject her to unwanted sexual advances or harassment. It is interesting to note that the head-covering for women is not an Islamic innovation but was practiced by Judeo-Christian women centuries earlier, and yet is scoffed at by the West today. "It is one of the great ironies of our world today that the very same headscarf revered as a sign of holiness' when worn for the purpose of showing the authority of man by Catholic Nuns, is reviled as a sign of oppression' when worn for the purpose of protection by Muslim women“ Dr Sherif, Muslim Activist Hence, Islam in its original state gave women privileges and imposed no harsh restrictions or double standards upon them. However, with the progression of time, the rights of Muslim women began deteriorating, and today, very few Muslim countries adhere to the Islamic ideal in their treatment of women.

10. If you have a diamond you'll put it in the safe right? We Muslim’s, our women is the diamond & the safe is the Hijab... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISFt2hYhqbw&feature=related - speech by KhaledYasin..... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwlc80vKvvI&feature=related – speech by KhaledYasin again.. A bit long again but nonetheless enlightening and amusing like the first one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHWZRzNpa94&feature=related – again KhaledYasin.. But only relevant up until 4mins 33 secs.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DUzkYR8L1A&feature=related – short and sweet video.. ;)