In Islam, there is no respect for women. Muslim girls’ marriages are determined with a boy from their own home during childhood. It is common for young children to attend madrasas (Islamic schools) from an early age, where they have first heard the story of a person who sacrificed his own son to prove his love for Allah.
In Islam, no one is considered superior to Allah, even if their family members. According to Hafisa, an ex-Muslim Hafisa who used to be a staunch Muslim, she studied and explored Islam, eventually deciding to leave it.
Hafisa says that the family background of Muslims is often unproductive and fosters hatred toward Hindus. Non-Muslims are referred to as “kafirs” who will be destined for hell. In Muslim family backgrounds, the respect and opinions of women are often disregarded.
Their views are not considered important. Girls’ marriages are arranged during childhood, and according to Islamic standards, they become eligible for marriage when they reach puberty. It is written in the Quran as such. According to their beliefs, if a Muslim girl does not obey her husband, she will not attain paradise. In a way, Islam suppresses girls. Furthermore, they believe that rape occurs only with those girls who do not wear a burqa. Girls are considered a trust (Amanat) and should be covered, not displayed.
Hafisa’s family background was somewhat similar. Her engagement was arranged during childhood with her maternal uncle’s son. Her cousin, however, sexually assaulted her three to four times. After informing her family about it, they asked her to marry him. Hafsa had a passion for writing, and she received recognition in school for it. However, after her family was informed, her father called her an atheist and burned all her writings in front of her.
According to Hafisa, women are not given respect in Muslim family backgrounds, whereas she finds the Hindu religion appealing because women are worshipped in Hinduism. Hafisa understood Islam and made the decision to leave it. Alongside, she created a YouTube channel called “Ex-Muslim Hafisa” to raise awareness among girls who become victims of cases like love jihad (forced conversion through deceitful relationships). She also aims to educate Muslim girls about Islam.
