I have written in the past about Islam not being just one religion like any other, and having a set of unique problem that need to be talked about, and not be swept under the rug. Such talk, of course, opens the door to harassment in the name of Islamophobia, that is, the claim that Islamic doctrine is no different than any other religious doctrine, and that Muslims face extra scrutiny due to some ulterior motive (according to many such accusers, racism). Hence, it is appropriate to present more evidence that Islam indeed is different; and that, by virtue of its beliefs and teachings, it causes harm of the kind not seen in other religions. I have written about total lack of freedom of conscience and expression in Islam, and the disastrous real world consequences of denying this reality. Now we can talk about status of women in Islam, and the double standard concerning lack of equality for women at Islamic institution that would never be tolerated otherwise.
The picture above shows Canadian politician Justin Trudeau (the only guy without facial hair in the picture above), attending a Muslim prayer. To put matters in context, Trudeau is the head of Canada’s Liberal Party, one of the two main political blocks in that country, which means he could well be the next head of state.
Now, putting on an ethnic dress and attending a service is not in itself the biggest issue, many politicians do it. But there is one minor problem here. See any women in this picture? Of course not. Like all mosques, women are required to pray before men. It is so matter-of-fact that it doesn’t even raise an eyebrow.
Except that it should. Islamic misogyny is still misogyny. And failure to pay attention to this point has lead to Western politicians ignoring the dangers of Islamism in the recent past, and there is no reason to think it cannot happen again. Would Trudeau attend any event, religious or otherwise, in which women had to stay in the back, where women had to stay in the back? And that is why I make the case that Islam is different. Lawrence Krauss didn’t stand this, and neither should have Trudeau.
(The excuse, of course, is pretty lame, and goes back to Islamic obsession with sexual control: women should be in the back, because otherwise, worshiping men will be “tempted” and distracted from God. If there is a grain of truth to this claim, then Muslim men really, really need psychotherapy. I don’t believe even many of the Muslim men attending the service above would believe this; and hence it is indeed a reflection of backwardness and inflexibility of Islam, when it cannot free itself of shameful and discriminatory practices based archaic and risible obsessions.)
