However, Westerner’s
conversion to Islam does seem to favour females over males by as many as three
to one[1],
and this is worthy of consideration.
Western society’s
morality is based on intangible rules of behaviour above and beyond legal
constraints, and this may produce disquiet for those who prefer a less flexible
system. Islam offers a rules-based morality
allowing for – indeed, demanding - moral acquiescence. This may be more favourable for females
because their tendency for empathic solipsism may require a more defined moral
code, one with values shared with other women.
As Camille Paglia notes, modern society has displaced women’s role, but
not their “emotional and
conversational needs that were once fulfilled by other women of multiple
generations throughout the agrarian workday in the fields or at home (where the
burdens of childcare and eldercare were group shared).”[2]
For men, with their
tendency for systematisation, Islam’s rules may be less a matter of morality
and more of authority. Male conversion
may thus be based on different premise to that of females, and may account for the
fewer male converts. Given the reducing
importance of masculine roles in the West, it could be speculated that Islam may
offer men a more dominant role in society and inclusion in a brotherhood, and
thus raise the ratio of male conversion in the future.
It should be noted
that this comment represents just a small facet of Islamic conversion in the
West, but one which has received little or no coverage. Other reasons include counter-cultural,
empowerment, enforced, idealism, identity, moral, simplicity, competitive
advantage, and social.
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