I came to this article through google by curiousity. I am a muslim man but in no way I consider myself or any other human being's personal life style as the real reflection of what Islam is. I was very desapointed by this article and the way it was manipulated just to paint an unrealistic bad image about Islam and muslims. I don't recognise myself nor my culture within what was described here. If someone wants an answer to what Islam is or why so many people are joining Islam at a time where most religions are losing their grounds, they should go to the source. Quran tells you what is Islam, the teachings of the Prophet Mohammad (POH) reflected on his followers tells you what is Islam. Islam has liberated women, raised their status in the society and gave them the highest most noble role in the society. The prophet Says that the salvation (paradise) is under the feet of MOTHERS. A muslim came to him and asked him "Messanger of God, who is most worthy of my companionship? He said "your mother" then the man asked: then who? The prophet said, Your mother. The man said then who? he said, your mother, the fourth time the man asked then who? the prophet said: your father. A woman in Islam is a mother (which is the highest most sacred status in the Islamic society, she is a sister, a daughter and a wife. The prophet (POH) also said: "The best of you (muslims) is the one who is best with his family" many scholars interpret "family" here as "wife" and in the muslim culture when men are talking about their wives they often use the term My "family" to mean "my wife". In the other hand the prophets words action and life style are regarded as the law and the reflection of the God's message and every muslim is to take him as the absolute role model. Every detail and aspect of his life, words, behaviour have been reported and detailed. There is not one account about him beating his wives. It's the opposit. He was extremely kind and affectionate, playful and makes jokes with them. He gave his wives the ultimate role of Educating women in the society and after his death, they were the consultant of leaders in legislating governmental laws. In Islam the first most sacred beleif is the unicity of God and not to worship Idles and not to make partners to him. the second most sacred belief is to be kind towards your parents. It wouldn't stand out that a father would raise his children witnessing him opressing and beating their mother. It just doesn't fit in the teachings of Islam. Does Islam give men authority over women in the family? in the aspect of leadership yes. Does he have the right to oppress her? NO and a big NO. A wife can at any time question his behaviour, or decision or his way of bringing up his children if he is not being truthful to the teachings of Islam. He doesn't have the right to stop her from Educating herself for example. Actually I come to the conclusion that this whole propaganda against ISLAM and the huge attempt by the media to make ISLAM look and sound oppressive to women, not only rediculous but its an organised attempt to stop people from making a free choice based on the truth about Islam and it certainly doesn't answer why most of the converts are women while the whole media (which is 90% owned by a certain group of people with a speccific agenda) has successfully given this Evil image of Islam and that it's a religion that subject women. The same media that have shown the biggest terrorists of human history as fighters for freedom and democracy. The victims as terrorists.

I have been doing my homework on a number of things in this day and age. Feminism, unfortunately, has gone terribly wrong in the West. Women have been brainwashed into believing they don't need a man when having a man is one of the things that comes to them most naturally. The effects of modern culture on the western family are devastating. There are fewer men in the West who are interested in marriage and family life. As a result, western white women, in particular, catch the fancy of Muslim men of Middle Eastern and East Asian origin. The vast majority of women want a provider and a protector and, in order to have it, a good number of them will convert to a religion with draconian laws, wed and bed with potential terrorists, and birth anti-American people's children. This may give you some insight.

The idea that people (non-muslims) especially women convert to Islam under some compulsion or live under under compulsion after converting is not true and is a lie. AT LEAST- Because in western world there are good ways to live and die like a non-muslim. Noone in this world, like I repeat in non-muslim countries, cannot be forced to accept islam. This is all because of ALLAH SWT shows the way.

this is very interesting, its just so sad to see muslims trying to defend islam knowing so well the truth in everything that has been said. i think islam is more appealing to minorities because of racism, islam makes them feel like they are rebelling and kinda gives them some sense of false authority. women on the other hand turn to islam probably for the same reason, also i think women naturally are protective. muslims do try to make it look as if everyone is against islam and muslims are being discriminated against. they always make islam look desperate and under attack, this particularly appeals to the women protective instinct... my thoughts

The woman who was gang-raped and converted, may have been suffering from a form of Stockholm syndrome. There are many stories of clubbers who convert. They cite disgust with their former promiscuous, drunken lifestyles, and their satisfaction with their newfound modesty, but they could just have easily chosen a modest secular lifestyle. As far as I'm aware there is no party police forcing girls to go and behave horribly. Obviously some do it for marriage, and others as a form of rebellion. One thing I find interesting is that I've yet to hear someone say that they converted after a serious study of Islam and realising that it is the truth. I did meet a Muslim woman who converted to Judaism, but was too afraid to tell her family lest they try to kill her. Unfortunately, most of the western women who convert have no idea what they're getting themselves into - polygamy, sanctioned domestic violence, modesty patrols, etc. It's really very sad as millions of Muslim women would love to have the freedoms that these women are throwing away.

(("Violence and abuse are allowed")) This statement is false. In islam, it is not allowed for a man to abuse women physically or mentally. Its sad that many Muslims are ignorant about their own religion.

the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.

People should understand that individual muslim's acts do not always portray islam... as with christians.. hitler was a christian... do we blame christianity for his acts? highly biased article!

If you study the Islamic history, you will find stories of Men and women who were living at the same time with the prophet Mohammad" peace up on him" who hurt and bothered the prophet while they were muslims and non muslims. The prophet showed them how they could behave for themselves, their families or for others. His respect and love to all specially children and women, the poor and slaves, the Black and white and...is a real view of what Quran is teaching the human being. We, men/women, should follow Mohammad's "P..." manner in our lives to reach to the peak of rationality, morality and humanity.

From the picture at the beginning of the right-up, I know its gonna be biased! The picture pictured somewhat unhappy covered woman, which try to portray that's how Muslim women are. Not minding to ask whether that's how Islam made it compulsory for the women. In the first place, covering of women's body is only in the presence of men who are not are close relations! And the Niqab/burqa (the picture) above is never compulsory in Islam.