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Ghada Ibrahim is a Former Muslim and Saudi Activist. In particular, an activist for the rights of women in Islam and talking about her former faith. Ibrahim took some time to sit down with me to discuss Islam, gender roles, and some of the limitations in interpretations and on some women as a result.

I asked Ibrahim about the gender roles in Islam. She talked about the standard, traditional gender roles found in Islam with women as the makers of the home and the men as the winners of the bread.

As I asked about the limits this puts on women, and even men, the restriction depends on where the women are located and if the separation between religion and government is strong or not.

Ibrahim explained, “For example, in Saudi, if the family imposes these gender roles on women, the women are limited to what their families impose on them. In secular countries, once women reach adulthood, they can break free and pursue their dreams.”

When I questioned the various interpretations of Islam, noting the different ones around, especially in regards to the similarities and differences between men and women, she couldn’t think of any. By Ibrahim’s analysis, the progressive Islamic interpretations tend to justify atrocities of Islam.

“For example, some progressive Muslims go on and on about how the word “beat” doesn’t actually mean “beat” in 4:34, but has several meanings in the Arabic language,” Ibrahim sated, “Or trying to justify the inheritance being half of that of men by excusing it saying men are required to provide for women and therefore it makes sense that they get more in inheritance.”

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If she had to choose, Ibrahim went with the liberals and reformers of Islam who provide better interpretations of Islam. Also, if women want to leave Islam, some countries have mechanisms and structures in place for women to leave the religion.

Some women disagree with the tenets and practice and, by freedom of religion and freedom of belief, should be able to leave the faith. Ibrahim described the secular nations as safer for women to leave and seek out community.

“In the US and Canada, there is an organization called Ex-Muslims of North America that helps create communities for ex-Muslims to get together. Knowing that there are more people that have left the religion as well is therapeutic and helpful,” Ibrahim said, “In Muslim-majority countries, it is more difficult, but not impossible. Finding like-minded people is still a possibility and finding an outlet, whether it is in social media or a group of close like-minded friends is very helpful.”

So, the help exists for leaving the faith if a woman, or a man for that matter, feels the particular interpretation does not permit them to be free and happy. The support structures for men are similar as for women if they so wish to leave the faith.

However, men face fewer hurdles. The honor culture in many Muslim-majority countries makes the issue much more difficult for the women: “Women are in danger of honor violence as well.” The apostasy punishment, e.g. beheading and life imprisonment, is more dangerous for the men, though.

For the kids, I asked about their chances. “Unfortunately, they are trapped. In most countries, even secular western countries, forced indoctrination is not looked at as a form of abuse. So unless parents do something that is illegal,” Ibrahim opined, “such as trying to force their minor child into marriage or beating them when they do not pray, children will have to be diligent and prepare to walk out once they reach adulthood. It is even more difficult if the child lives in a Muslim-majority country, where leaving the religion is not even a choice.”