They aren't going into this blind
At least, I presume they're not.

Islamic society is patriarchal and makes no bones about it.
( The Disappointed Caravanner of the year, Sun 16 Jan 2011, 19:55, 2 replies, latest was 15 years ago)

There is a lack of challenge
in the media about it. A perception of being racist is attached to questioning practioners of Islam about their attitudes towards women and gay people in particular
( Amberl was stripey and dominated Europe, Sun 16 Jan 2011, 19:56, Reply)

How do you challenge the overt?
As above, Islam is a male oriented, hetrosexual establishment.

Attempting to challenge that fundamental is like asking water to flow uphill.
( The Disappointed Caravanner of the year, Sun 16 Jan 2011, 20:00, Reply)

It's not pointless trying to change it
and it's certainly not pointless to ask questions about how those essentials can be integrated with Western culture
( Amberl was stripey and dominated Europe, Sun 16 Jan 2011, 20:02, Reply)

I live in a city with a very big Islamic community (Bradford)
That by no means makes me qualified to comment upon Islamic beliefs and attitudes, but the concept of challenging a status quo is, from my perspective, inconceivable.

Even the more progressive elements of the Islamic community retain a patriarchal stance as a basic tenent of daily life.
( The Disappointed Caravanner of the year, Sun 16 Jan 2011, 20:09, Reply)

Sadly I agree.
But hopefully over the years we can chip away at some of the more extreme aspects of it.
( girlinthehole, Sun 16 Jan 2011, 20:15, Reply)

A good place to start
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/mystery-of-bradfords-missing-children-were-they-forced-into-marriages-abroad-777684.html

This isn't cultural freedom, it's abuse.
( Amberl was stripey and dominated Europe, Sun 16 Jan 2011, 20:19, Reply)

I think a lot of the misogyny is more cultural than religeous but the two are so intertwined that it will be difficult to change their views.
The way women are treated in some Muslim countries beggers belief.
( girlinthehole, Sun 16 Jan 2011, 20:12, Reply)

The best idea really
would be to go the route of France and ban religious symbolism of any sort from schools, and also to adopt some of the Swedish model of school attendence being mandatory from a young age and faced with very harsh penalties if not. That way you have a neutral atmosphere that every child from the age of 4 or 5 is obliged to attend.
( Amberl was stripey and dominated Europe, Sun 16 Jan 2011, 20:14, Reply)

It's a good idea
But it's too confrontational.

It took many generations for Christianity to accept what Martin Luther nailed to the Wittenburg gate.

Over time, Islam will soften. Trying to force it into a shape that it is currently too rigid to adapt will just bring about resistance.
( The Disappointed Caravanner of the year, Sun 16 Jan 2011, 20:22, Reply)

It should still be implemented
if people don't like it because it interferes with a patriachal culture that doesn't think original thought is necessary (or on behalf of a woman even possible) then that's too bad.
( Amberl was stripey and dominated Europe, Sun 16 Jan 2011, 20:25, Reply)

It amazes me that in the 21st Century we still have people like the Taliban running about.

( girlinthehole, Sun 16 Jan 2011, 20:27, Reply)

Not according to the women chatting today.
But then they are white middle-class muslim women so I guess they don't go through the same indoctrination poorer muslim girls go through when growing up. I'm not saying all Muslim men are women-hating wife beaters but the whole Muslim ethos is geared towards men. If men and women are equal then why can't they pray together?
( girlinthehole, Sun 16 Jan 2011, 19:59, Reply)

Because men might see them
and think about sex rather than prayers. Women are responsible for men's behaviour after all.
( Amberl was stripey and dominated Europe, Sun 16 Jan 2011, 20:02, Reply)