Bigger meanings of smaller things

Submitted by Prashant (United States), Jul 13, 2022 at 13:50

Dear Dr Pipes,

Oftentimes we make statements or hear them but fail to understand full implications of those statements. So much can be learned from one short letter of Jessica and the resulting lessons have wider implications:

1. Jessica said that men in Morocco drank Coffee and watched soccer all day: Jessica also mentioned that Morocco has lot of poverty. Can we put two things together and say that Moroccan poverty is partly caused by lack of Moroccan drive? Can we blame Islam? I have worked with young men from Israel. The guys (and gals) that I worked with were very industrious and ambitious. I think the Islamic world suffers because it gives priority to the wrong things.

2, Muhammad is jealous and protective and other guys always "looked at" Jessica: Is that why women in Islamic world always need Hijab? Perhaps men in Islamic countries should stop ogling at women. Also, beware of jealous and protective boyfriends and girlfriends. It can cause trouble later.

3. Men pay for everything for women in Asian/Islamic culture: It could be true centuries ago when Muslim Men could acquire both women and wealth in the wars for cheap. Now realities of life will face the Muslim women and paying for women for free may not come that easy. Times have changed. Now governments and parents spend just as much money on women's education as that of men. So, it is OK if women share some responsibility. And, the ones that do need to be respected. Also, I wonder what will happen if Muhammad marries three other women. He will pay for 4 women and each of the women will pay for no one. Is this why the financial gap between the rich and poor is increasing worldwide? Some people pay for everyone and others pay for no one!! Apparently, the ancient Islamic rules about marriage, mehr and such are obsolete now despite Allah's pronouncement to the contrary. My apologies.

Jessica thinks that no women should marry a MENA man but she, herself, is an exception. That could very well be true. Best of luck.

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