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Islam is a [[monotheism|monotheistic]] [[Abrahamic religion]] based on the teachings of [[Muhammad]] Ibn Abdallah, a seventh century [[Arab]] religious and [[politics|political]] figure. The word "Islam" means "submission" (to Allah) in [[Arabic language|Arabic]]. Because the triconsonantal root of Islam, slm, carries the connotations of surrender, some academics and polemicists argue that slm implies the surrender of a defeated enemy, implying forceful conversion<ref>Weise,Nathan,Islam Under Scrutiny by Ex-Muslims, Acessed Online :http://www.islam-watch.org/Others/NathanIslamBerserk.htm at dec 21st 2009 </ref>.

'''Islam''' is a [[monotheism|monotheistic]] [[Abrahamic religion]] based on the teachings of [[Muhammad]], a seventh century [[Arab]] prophet and founder. The word "Islam" means "submission" (to Allah) in [[Arabic language|Arabic]].  

A follower of Islam is called a Muslim or Moslem, a term which means "one who submits (to God)". The older term [[Mohammedan]] means "follower of Muhammad", and has been used for centuries. Additional archaic terms for Muslims include "Hagarene", and "Saracen". Saracen as a term for muslims was limited to the crusade era, although it makes frequent re-appearances in pre-modern polemics. Hagarene was a more common term in pre-modern works, as it denotes the biblical connection of Hagar the mother of Ishmael who is reported as the patriarch of Islam.<ref>For example see the account of Jeremias Cacavelas: The Siege of Vienna,1683</ref>Additional names for Muslims in pre-modern and Medieval works are generally derived from mispelling's of the above.

A follower of Islam is called a Muslim or Moslem, a term which means "one who submits (to God)". The older term [[Mohammedan]] means "follower of Muhammad", and has been used for centuries. Additional archaic terms for Muslims include "Hagarene", and "Saracen". Saracen as a term for muslims was limited to the crusade era, although it makes frequent re-appearances in pre-modern polemics. Hagarene was a more common term in pre-modern works, as it denotes the biblical connection of Hagar the mother of Ishmael who is reported as the patriarch of Islam.<ref>For example see the account of Jeremias Cacavelas: The Siege of Vienna,1683</ref>Additional names for Muslims in pre-modern and Medieval works are generally derived from mispelling's of the above.

====Women in Islam====

====Women in Islam====

See: [[Islam and Women]]

In pre-Islamic times women's rights were defined by tribal laws which differed amongst the tribes. Some women had absolute equity and the ability to hold power, some women were treated worse than chattel, bride prices, unlimited polygamy, and female infanticide were a common theme. Islamic law gave women rights they had never had in the ancient world; namely, inheritance, ownership, legal standing (however dminished it is in Sharia law), education rights, and the ability to divorce.  That was over a thousand years ago and there has been little progress since.  The reality of traditional Sharia law as applied in the modern era has shocked the modern conscience. <ref>Linda Rae Bennett, ''Women, Islam and Modernity'' (2005)</ref>.

In pre-Islamic times women's rights were defined by tribal laws which differed amongst the tribes. Some women had absolute equity and the ability to hold power, some women were treated worse than chattel, bride prices, unlimited polygamy, and female infanticide were a common theme. Islamic law gave women rights they had never had in the ancient world; namely, inheritance, ownership, legal standing (however dminished it is in Sharia law), education rights, and the ability to divorce.<ref> Saifur Al Mubarakpuri,Ar-Rahiq Al Makhtum, Trans. Jamie Salafia,Isslam Diab, (Islamic University of Al Madinah : Dar al Salam : Saudi Arabia, 2002) pp 55 </ref>  That was over a thousand years ago and there has been little change since.  The reality of traditional Sharia law as applied in the modern era has shocked the modern conscience. <ref>Linda Rae Bennett, ''Women, Islam and Modernity'' (2005)</ref>.  However this claim is submerged in the greater reality of the inapplicability of traditional Sharia law in the modern era, producing arguably the greatest crisis in Islam since the sack of Baghdad in 1258; the emancipation of women<ref>Linda Rae Bennett,Women, Islam and Modernity(Routledge-Curzon: New York,2005)</ref>

Women are treated as inferiors to men. For example, women are required to "... draw their outer garments around them ... that they may be known (to be Muslims) and not annoyed (by men)." (Qur'an 33:59) Covering the head and body in public (hijab) is imposed as a protection of female status.  Hijab is applied in different ways: a small scarf around the head and western street clothes may be acceptable in Cairo or Damascus but a full length opaque [[Burqa]] was enforced in Taliban Afghanistan. The treatment of women may depend upon rural or urban settings, educational level, society norms, tradition, or other factors. As of 2008, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan are the only two Middle Eastern countries where the government requires women to wear some form of restrictive garb.  [[Honor killing]] is winked at.

For the most part, the Qur'an treats men and [[woman|women]] equally, applies the same injunctions and prohibitions to men and women, and grants many of the same privileges and benefits. But women are treated separately in certain instances. For example, women are required to "... draw their outer garments around them ... that they may be known (to be Muslims) and not annoyed (by men)." (Qur'an 33:59) Covering the head and body in public (hijab) is viewed by many Muslim women as a protection of their modesty, a way to discourage men's covetous eyes. The principle of hijab is applied in different ways: a small scarf around the head and regular "street clothes" may be voluntary and acceptable in Cairo or Damascus but a full length opaque [[Burqa]] was enforced in Taliban Afghanistan. The treatment of women may depend upon rural or urban settings, educational level, society norms, tradition, or other factors. As of 2008, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan are the only two Middle Eastern countries where the government requires women to wear some form of modest garb.Another issue in the quest for women's rights in Islamic countries is the tribal theme of "honour killing", wherein a woman may be murdered by the family to preserve some sort of sense of family reputation when the woman has committed sexual crimes or apostasy <ref>http://www.canada.com/news/Archive+Honour+killings+females+rise+Canada+Expert/1821831/story.html </ref> <ref>http://www.jihadwatch.org/2009/07/possible-honor-killing-in-canada-three-muslim-sisters-murdered-parents-and-brother-arrested.html</ref>.

Islamic dress is a regular grounds for conflict in multicultural education.

Islamic dress is a regular grounds for conflict in multicultural education.Treatment of women varies widely by country. In the Islamic state of Saudi Arabia women are forbidden from driving a car, traveling in public without their husband or a male family member as an escort, leaving their home without wearing Islamic dress, working or voting. Though not formally forbidden from owning property, they have no way of obtaining this as work is forbidden and only males are permitted to inherit - should a man die, his brothers, sons and father will all inherit before his wife. These restrictions are part of the criminal law of the country, and enforced by the police and a special Islamic office. Pakistan has similar restrictions, but to a lesser extent. In contrast, Turkey has a majority Muslim population yet still grants women rights near-equal to those of men including property ownership, employment, and education to university level.

Treatment of women varies widely by country. In the Islamic state of Saudi Arabia women are forbidden from driving a car, traveling in public without their husband or a male family member as an escort, leaving their home without wearing Islamic dress, working or voting. Though not formally forbidden from owning property, they have no way of obtaining this as work is forbidden and only males are permitted to inherit - should a man die, his brothers, sons and father will all inherit before his wife. These restrictions are part of the criminal law of the country, and enforced by the police and a special Islamic office. Pakistan has similar restrictions, but to a lesser extent. In contrast, Turkey has a majority Muslim population yet still grants women rights near-equal to those of men including property ownership, employment, and education to university level.

Muslim apologists suggest the extremely repressive policies of countries such as Saudi Arabia and Pakistan are cultural rather than religious, though these are the countries were traditional Islam is strongest. They point to the more moderate Islam practiced in Turkey as a demonstration that Islam and womens' rights are compatible, ignoring the efforts of traditionalists in Turkey  to end the freedoms women enjoy.  

Muslim apologists suggest the extremely repressive policies of countries such as Saudi Arabia and Pakistan are cultural rather than religious, though these are the countries were traditional Islam is strongest. They point to the more moderate Islam practiced in Turkey as a demonstration that Islam and womens' rights are compatible, ignoring the efforts of traditionalists in Turkey  to end the freedoms women enjoy.