The article “Arab-American girls find the teen years test their faith and fidelity to parents,” by Meghan Mutchler Deerin (Health & Family, Jan. 7), did a good job of helping us understand the challenges Muslim girls face growing up in the U.S. The article implied that Muslim boys have fewer restrictions than Muslim girls. Sadly, this is true in many instances. But this occurs despite Islam, not because of it.
Islam prohibits dating and premarital sex for both boys and girls. If Muslim boys date, it is equally shameful. I am Muslim, and was born and raised in Chicago. I did not date as a teenager because Islam prohibited me from doing so. I have no regrets and am much better off because of it.
Many people think Islam is unfair to women, but this is far from the truth. True, Muslim men don’t have to cover their hair, but they are also required to dress modestly. In addition, Islam is not the only religion that requires women to cover their hair.
Islam treats women equally. Islam gave women the right to vote more than 1,400 years ago, while we had to amend the Constitution to give women the right to vote here in the U.S.
Even though some who call themselves Muslim treat girls unfairly, it is not because Islam tells them to do so.
Culture must not be confused with religious doctrine.
