And why shouldn’t they? If they’re being brought up as good Muslims, they are very likely being taught that women and religious minorities are not the equals of male Muslims. This assumption is enshrined in Islamic law in numerous ways, as I demonstrate in Onward Muslim Soldiers. These are the attitudes that, along with violent jihad ideology, cry out for reform.
Here is the report from Palestinian Media Watch, with thanks to Alyssa Lappen:
A poll of Palestinian high school students’ attitudes towards women and minorities has revealed “alarming” opinions, according to the Palestinian daily Al-Ayyam.The poll revealed a strong rejection of equality for women in society, with as many as 73 per cent of the students feeling that women should be limited to “traditional occupations.”Opinions regarding political involvement are also problematic. A full 52 per cent reject a woman’s right to “have position on a Municipal Local Council,” while 23 per cent would deny women the right to vote in elections.Limiting women’s freedom is likewise seen as acceptable by significant numbers of children. A third of Palestinian children surveyed believe that hitting a woman is “permissible under specified circumstances,” and 23 per cent reject a woman’s right to chose a husband “freely.”Attitudes to minorities are also discriminatory. Sixty per cent of the students polled are unwilling to have a friend from a different religion, while 24 per cent do not want a friend with a different skin color.The poll was conducted by the ALPHA Institute for Research and Statistics, and was distributed by the Center for Women’s Affairs in Gaza.
The following are the results of the poll: [Al-Ayyam, Feb. 19, 2004]
Palestinian Children’s attitudes to women and minorities:
Limiting Women’s Occupations:
“73% [Grades 9 and 12] agree to limit women’s work to traditional occupations.”
“16% [Grade 12] support women’s right to work as taxi drivers.”Limiting Women’s Freedom
“33% [Grade 12] believe that hitting a woman is permissible under specified circumstances.”
“23% [Grade 9] do not accept a woman has the right to chose a life companion freely.”
“32% [Grade 9] do not accept a woman’s right to chose her own clothes.”Limiting Women’s Political Involvement:
“52% [Grade 9] do not accept that women can have positions on a Municipal Local Council.”
“37% [Grade 9] do not accept women’s right to vote in elections.”Children’s attitudes to different races, religion, sex and handicapped
“60% [Grade 12] expressed unwillingness to choose a friend who is not of their religion.”
“24% [Grade 12] do not welcome the idea of friendship with others, who have a different skin color.”
“51% [Grade 12] are not willing to choose a friend who is not of their sex.”
“9% [Grade 12] do not welcome the idea of friendship with people from other countries.”
“No more than 60% [Grade 9 and 12] favor handicapped rights in the areas of occupation, education, and presenting candidacy for elections.”