45 Stories From History Captured In Pictures, As Seen On This IG Page

nice sentence but i don't think many people were ever very happy because of slavery or would choose it. on the other hand, clothing is a different matter, and even then there are mandatory clothing rules in every culture.

The Holy Quran clearly states: "There is no compulsion in religion". According to Islam, everyone is free (and encouraged) to read, reflect and make their own choices. Often human beings twist and corrupt the message for worldly self interest. In this case (and others), men in power are simply bullying their way into cementing their of position in the society. This is not a problem of religion, but of humankind.

A Muslim friend of mine once told me that hijab, niqab and abaya are Pre-Islamic customs. Prostitution was a problem in Pre-Islamic Middle East and the concept of wearing these was to signal that the woman was not "available" for lusty men. Is this true? Also want to point out to the keyboard warriors here that Christian nuns have the exact same concept, and Jewish women also cover their head, although in a different way.

Exactly, "Christian nuns" who wear it by choice!!

Unfortunately this verse was interpreted in a very funny way by the Islamic clerics. In order to understand it you shall look at the both history of cristianity and islam but in a short - while cristianity grow and morphed with the state - islam created its own state, therefor while verse is valid and widely mentioned in places where muslims are in minority - you'll never hear anything like that in muslim majority countries (especially the ones with islamic state), because you obviously can't have religious freedom in a community based on religion same as you can't have religious freedom in a church. You can have freedom to leave the church, if you don't agree with it, but in a society based on shared religion you can't easily have that freedom either unless you remove yourself physically and go to live somewhere else. Basically it means what God does not force you to be a believer or an infidel. Yet enforcement left to the society ;)

(Due to a character limit I am dividing this comment) Part one: I am a Muslim. I use the name Emily to avoid unnecessary internet arguments (which an Islamic name seems to provoke). I wear hijab - 100% out of my own choice. I am not brainwashed, nor am I controlled. This is not a subject which I am researching, nor a debate in which I seek to prove myself right. I live a direct experience of those things of which you want to explain. I have spent time with Muslims from (and in) many different countries - including those who claim to be “Islamic”. I have spent time in the West, and in the East. I lived within the community whilst in Afghanistan. I am a direct witness informing you that your words are dangerously generalised and factually incorrect.

Part two: Whilst in “Islamic” countries I found many thoughtful, intelligent, respectful people (men and women), who were by no means brainwashed. We had frequent in depth discussions and I have no doubt that they were independent and free in their thinking. To suggest that because they lived in an “Islamic” country they were incapable of thinking for themselves is both insulting and short sighted. Faith is deeply personal matter. However, it seems to me that this whole debate is not about (any) faith nor religion, but is entirely about the abuse of power (more often than not taken by men). Those (usually men) in power who distort and abuse religion in order to serve their own desires. To suggest that those who accept faith (in the East or West) do not “have freedom” to think independently is not only patronising, but is simplistic and lazy.

Emily, it's not a matter of people in that country having a lack of free thought, rather they have no choice in the matter, so even if they are content with wearing hijabs, and living in these countries, with these standards, there's a conversation to be had about whether they are truly accepting of their roles and expectations, or if they are practicing them because it is simply all they are familiar with. I don't think it's a soley Islamic issue, and it shouldn't be presented as such. But if you live in a country built around one specific religion, many freedoms are going to be taken away. Islam is a religion many countries have been built around, thus Islam as a religion is brought into this conversation. One can respect all religions while still bringing this up. I very much respect the fact you wear a hijab, and I respect your choice to practice your religion fully. But it doesn't stop the fact that women don't have that choice in many countries, regardless of their willingness

My entire point is that it is a question of abuse of power- not religion.

“therefor while verse is valid and widely mentioned in places where muslims are in minority - you'll never hear anything like that in muslim majority countries (especially the ones with islamic state), because you obviously can't have religious freedom in a community based on religion” . These words from Atero suggests that a direct quote from the Holy Quran would not be respected in “Islamic “ countries, only those without a Muslim majority.

Erm.. and you are implying what I'm somehow wrong on this one?

Part three: As previously mentioned, The Holy Quran states: “There is no compulsion in religion”. This is not a problem from God. This is not a problem from (any) religion. This is a problem entirely from the arrogance of humankind.

Faith requires belief without proof. Rejecting that belief means rejecting that faith. I was kicked out of my community for asking the religion I was brought up in to explain the reason for their faith. I am glad you had a different life experience, but it's true. Religion works because it emotionally manipulates people into thinking the way the religious leaders want them to.

You're bringing in humankind now? Nope, this is a totally religious thing.

Yes, there are those who follow scriptures which are actually an interpretation of the Qur'an and misinterpretation can have extreme consequences.

It’s also states Muhammad was a pedophile who consummated his marriage Aisha when she was 9

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@Atero All clothing is worn as a result of historical and environental conditions. Why is wearing a hijab more offensive or oppressive than having to wear a bra or a t-shirt? If clothes are oppression then I should be allowed to walk around in just a pair of speedos (I'm a menopausal woman).

Bad example. Depending on your cup size bra has a support function and lack of it is unlikely to get you a fine, put you in jail or kill you on spot in some places. And yes, you should be allowed to walk damn naked if you feel like that and weather allows it (would be tricky here in IS).

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There was a woman in my BSL (British Sign Language) class who wore a hijab, and when we left the classroom she also donned a veil. She took it off in class because you can't really sign without facial expressions. (Not western sign languages at least - I'm sure there must be some where they went a different route to account for veils and niqabs.) I gave her a ride home one day and, just with female old me, she took her veil off in the car (I already knew about female only spaces, but the car surprised me a bit because windows). So I decided to be brave and ask. She was the only woman in her family who wore a veil, and she felt empowered by wearing it in public. She also liked the fact that it made men look at her eyes instead of anywhere else, which I love. It was nice to have a woman's point of view about such things.

Because she wasn’t in an Islamic state.

I would rather my worth hang on who I am as a person, and not my reproductive parts.

So our value comes from our ability to reproduce?

I'm not blaming Islam in particular. The problem is not what the sacred texts say, but when very imperfect men interpret them at their own convenience. And even worse, when those "truths" are imposed on everybody and belief is compulsory. Christians cannot cast the first stone, either. Anyway, thank you for the information, and for explaining these issues. It's always good to see different points of view.

Thank you for your reply Maria. I completely agree with you.This issue doesn’t originate from religion but from the weakness of humankind.Again,I absolutely agree that no one-ever-has the right to impose their way of life on anyone else. In my own experience the beauty of faith is found in one’s own (voluntary) reflection and application. The goal is sincerity which takes conscious personal engagement. If a way of life is externally imposed, then not only is that immoral, but practically it loses its value. Faith should be an avenue of liberation and peace - not repression of either men or women. Faith should bring you closer to love and tolerance, not hatred, bigotry or misogyny. If it does then (I think) something has gone wrong. It is easier to judge a religion by its most extreme “followers”. However, by choosing to stop there we do ourselves a disservice. When greeting each other Muslims say “Assalamu Alaikum “, meaning “Peace be upon you”. I wish that peace for all of us.

So women are only valuable in Islam if they are mothers? That doesn't help the case much

No the criteria for respect is not motherhood alone. Women and men are equal without question- regardless of procreation. The value of a person is in no way based on their children, wealth, property or worldly status. The quote given was one which recognises the tremendous effort, influence and value of a role which has such a direct and lasting effect on the society in which we live. FYI, I do not have children, but in no way feel “less valuable” than a mother. I can, however still appreciate what a determining and valuable role a mother can have, so see great beauty in that quote. If someone chooses to see sexism in the quote, then it speaks to their own bias.

And...? The picture is Iran forty years ago. Nowadays the US is slowly taking away women's freedoms. It's happening again. Fiery years later. This photo should be a warning. Many people still do not understand where totalitarians lead.

True, but if republicans have their way, that's what we're angling towards. Except instead of hijabs it'll be jaunty little fifties dresses and set a pearls.

“Marry and reproduce.” Also, don’t forget a smart cardigan!

They’re being sarcastic, pointing out the fact that the US is falling into a theocracy like Iran, but people do not see it as such due to the fact that it’s a different religion