Islam is not ‘stuck in the past’. It has remained the same for 1400+ years and its messages are empowering for women through the ages. These surpass debates of interpretation. On most occasions, we have outright laws and rules, giving women the rights that no one in the west could have even imagined 100 years ago. These rights and their exemplary modern application resound today.

What kind of feminist are you, if you seek men to speak for you? Muslim women can speak for themselves, thank you very much. We have a voice, a voice that was given to us well before it was given to you.

Maybe boys in your world think they’re superior. In my world, my brothers, father, uncles, give me the utmost respect and value, and they recognise the equality we share. Please don’t generalise if you haven’t been brought up in a Muslim family as a Muslim woman. For some of us, it is a real treat.
(There is no rhetoric to continue, except a rhetoric which may have emerged from ignorance in cultures).

As for this laughable statement: “But please don’t forget that it is a secular, democratic country which is allowing you the freedom to do so.” If female integration into society is a norm, then please don’t act like this country is doing us a favour. It was Islam and the Prophet Mohammed who showed us how to become components of society, not western democracy – which shows women that the only way to get by is by flaunting your sexual assets. We go a lot deeper.

I guess the greatest difference between Islam and feminism is this: Islam recognises equality between the genders, but recognises that they are different – biologically and personality-wise. Neither one is superior. Both female and male roles are celebrated. Muslim women are proud to be mothers, proud to have our own natural abilities, so let’s stop crying about it. This feminist argument is getting a bit old.

One can always go back to periods in history where women were treated as second class citizens, or indeed in a few instances where they actually ruled over men. There’s always been a flux in power between races, colours, genders and creeds.

But these days, thanks to enlightening practices and education, we don’t have to subscribe to these views. So why is Islam still stuck in the past? It’s sad that you’re still having to ask that question, of how to build a model of inter-gender dialogue?

As you might be able to tell, I’m a feminist. And even with all the excuses, that Islamic religious texts aren’t being interpreted correctly, where are the men in all this? Why aren’t they standing up for their own sisters and mothers? Because they’ve always held the status quo. Boys are brainwashed to think they’re better, girls are made submissive and made to feel inferior, and even the mothers continue the rhetoric! Sad but true – I think an inter-gender dialogue within ‘modern Islam’ seems a distant reality.

I hope at least that you might be able to change that, bit by bit, by becoming an active female participant in society. But please don’t forget that it is a secular, democratic country which is allowing you the freedom to do so.