✦ Western Freedom vs. Islamic Modesty: A Moral Comparison ✦
In Pakistan, whenever efforts are made to uphold modesty and Islamic values, liberal and secular factions often raise objections. They argue that the issue is not modesty or clothing, but rather a “sick mentality” and “dirty gaze.”
They believe that removing social restrictions and promoting free mingling of the sexes will normalize sexual attraction and help control human impulses.
But does the evidence support this claim? Let’s examine the realities of Western societies like Europe, the USA, and the UK.
European Union Survey (2014):
◈ One-third of women in the EU (aged 15 and above) have experienced physical or sexual violence.
◈ This figure represents approximately 62 million women.
◈ Over 42,000 women were interviewed in what is considered the largest survey of its kind.
These statistics emerge from societies with unrestricted access to alcohol, sexual freedom, and nightlife, yet women remain deeply vulnerable.
Data from 2010:
◈ Every minute, 25 individuals are victims of sexual or physical assault.
◈ Over 1 million women reported incidents of sexual assault in a single year.
◈ 6 million people (men and women) experienced stalking.
◈ 120,000 individuals reported being sexually or physically abused by an intimate partner.
On University Campuses:
◈ 1 in every 5 female students experiences sexual assault during her education.
◈ Only 12% of victims report their cases.
◈ The claim that “cases go unreported only in Pakistan” is simply false—it’s a global issue, including in America.
◈ Since 2006, sexual crimes in the military have increased by 30%.
◈ A 2003 survey of 500 retired female soldiers revealed that 30% had experienced rape during service.
◈ A 2009 report indicated that 90% of sexual assaults in the military are never reported.
ChildLine Report (2009):
◈ A sharp rise was observed in child sexual abuse cases, with women also found to be perpetrators.
◈ In 2008, 16,000 children called the Child Help Line;
◈ 2,142 children specifically named a female abuser.
◈ This represented a 132% increase compared to 2004.
Oxford Sexual Exploitation Scandal (2013):
◈ At least 273 girls were victims of systematic sexual abuse.
While commenting on a rape case at Stanford University, President Barack Obama admitted that:
"Sexual assault on campuses is a disgrace to humanity,”
yet noted that American society has failed to appropriately condemn it due to shame and fear.
“For any woman, reporting sexual assault is an emotionally and psychologically difficult process.”
This confirms that the issue is not exclusive to Eastern societies like Pakistan, but is a deep-rooted crisis even in the West.
The data from Europe and America proves that the problem is not simply “repressive culture” or “dirty minds”—it is human nature itself.
The more freedom is given, the more chaos and sexual crimes increase.
The secular claim that unrestricted mixing erases sexual desire is false and misleading.
Now the real question is:
Do we want to imitate the Western model promoted by NGOs and liberal movements?
Or do we strive to preserve Islamic teachings, where modesty, honor, and dignity remain sacred?
❖ Modesty in Pakistan vs. the Western Social Model
In Pakistan, whenever efforts are made to uphold modesty and Islamic values, liberal and secular factions often raise objections. They argue that the issue is not modesty or clothing, but rather a “sick mentality” and “dirty gaze.”
They believe that removing social restrictions and promoting free mingling of the sexes will normalize sexual attraction and help control human impulses.
But does the evidence support this claim? Let’s examine the realities of Western societies like Europe, the USA, and the UK.
❖ Europe: Women Remain Unsafe Despite Freedom
European Union Survey (2014):
◈ One-third of women in the EU (aged 15 and above) have experienced physical or sexual violence.
◈ This figure represents approximately 62 million women.
◈ Over 42,000 women were interviewed in what is considered the largest survey of its kind.
These statistics emerge from societies with unrestricted access to alcohol, sexual freedom, and nightlife, yet women remain deeply vulnerable.
❖ United States: A Hotspot for Sexual Crimes
Data from 2010:
◈ Every minute, 25 individuals are victims of sexual or physical assault.
◈ Over 1 million women reported incidents of sexual assault in a single year.
◈ 6 million people (men and women) experienced stalking.
◈ 120,000 individuals reported being sexually or physically abused by an intimate partner.
On University Campuses:
◈ 1 in every 5 female students experiences sexual assault during her education.
◈ Only 12% of victims report their cases.
◈ The claim that “cases go unreported only in Pakistan” is simply false—it’s a global issue, including in America.
❖ Sexual Crimes in the U.S. Military
◈ Since 2006, sexual crimes in the military have increased by 30%.
◈ A 2003 survey of 500 retired female soldiers revealed that 30% had experienced rape during service.
◈ A 2009 report indicated that 90% of sexual assaults in the military are never reported.
❖ Child Abuse in the United Kingdom
ChildLine Report (2009):
◈ A sharp rise was observed in child sexual abuse cases, with women also found to be perpetrators.
◈ In 2008, 16,000 children called the Child Help Line;
◈ 2,142 children specifically named a female abuser.
◈ This represented a 132% increase compared to 2004.
Oxford Sexual Exploitation Scandal (2013):
◈ At least 273 girls were victims of systematic sexual abuse.
❖ Acknowledgment from President Barack Obama
While commenting on a rape case at Stanford University, President Barack Obama admitted that:
"Sexual assault on campuses is a disgrace to humanity,”
yet noted that American society has failed to appropriately condemn it due to shame and fear.
❖ Dr. Kay Whitley – U.S. Department of Defense
“For any woman, reporting sexual assault is an emotionally and psychologically difficult process.”
This confirms that the issue is not exclusive to Eastern societies like Pakistan, but is a deep-rooted crisis even in the West.
❖ Conclusion: Human Nature and Social Protection
The data from Europe and America proves that the problem is not simply “repressive culture” or “dirty minds”—it is human nature itself.
The more freedom is given, the more chaos and sexual crimes increase.
The secular claim that unrestricted mixing erases sexual desire is false and misleading.
❖ Should We Follow the Western Model?
Now the real question is:
Do we want to imitate the Western model promoted by NGOs and liberal movements?
Or do we strive to preserve Islamic teachings, where modesty, honor, and dignity remain sacred?
