The Qur’an teaches that men are superior to women and should beat those from whom they “fear disobedience”: “Men have authority over women because Allah has made the one superior to the other, and because they spend their wealth to maintain them. Good women are obedient. They guard their unseen parts because Allah has guarded them. As for those from whom you fear disobedience, admonish them and send them to beds apart and beat them.” — Qur’an 4:34
The Qur’an likens a woman to a field (tilth), to be used by a man as he wills: “Your women are a tilth for you, so go to your tilth as you will” — Qur’an 2:223
It declares that a woman’s testimony is worth half that of a man: “Get two witnesses, out of your own men, and if there are not two men, then a man and two women, such as you choose, for witnesses, so that if one of them errs, the other can remind her” — Qur’an 2:282
It allows men to marry up to four wives, and have sex with slave girls also: “If you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly with the orphans, marry women of your choice, two or three or four; but if you fear that ye shall not be able to deal justly, then only one, or one that your right hands possess, that will be more suitable, to prevent you from doing injustice” — Qur’an 4:3
It rules that a son’s inheritance should be twice the size of that of a daughter: “Allah directs you as regards your children’s inheritance: to the male, a portion equal to that of two females” — Qur’an 4:11
It allows for marriage to pre-pubescent girls, stipulating that Islamic divorce procedures “shall apply to those who have not yet menstruated” — Qur’an 65:4
“Swiss-Tunisian scholar says Islamic norms of male superiority are fueling domestic violence and femicides in Switzerland,” by Thomas Brooke, Remix News, September 5, 2025:
Switzerland is confronting a surge in domestic violence after 15 femicides were recorded in the first half of 2025. In a commentary for the Neue Zürcher Zeitung, Swiss-Tunisian scholar and political Islam activist Saïda Keller-Messahli said that offenders disproportionately often come from Muslim countries and that the role of Islam in shaping attitudes toward women must be openly acknowledged.
“Reports of men killing their wives, ex-partners, or daughters because they don’t behave as they wish are increasing,” she noted.
She cited research by forensic scientist Frank Urbaniok showing that Afghans are reported for serious violent crimes five times more often than Swiss citizens, Moroccans eight times more often, and Tunisians nine times more often.
“The disproportionate crime rate has a lot to do with cultural influences. It is about how violence is dealt with, the image of women, or the role of the rule of law in these countries,” Urbaniok told the same newspaper in April.
“I have been dealing with criminals for 33 years and have seen thousands of cases at close range. That’s why I know how strong and relevant these imprints can be. Sometimes, they persist for generations,” he added.
Keller-Messahli argued that this pattern extends to domestic violence cases and is rooted in Islamic teachings and socialization.
“Socialization plays a crucial role in determining an individual’s relationship with society,” she wrote, adding that in the Islamic context, this is strongly influenced by religious norms drawn from the Quran. She said Islamic laws regulate most areas of life in Muslim countries, often in ways that conflict with human rights and actively promote discrimination. She cited forced conversions for marriage, religiously sanctioned child marriages, and restrictions on adopted children as examples.
Keller-Messahli argued that Islamic teaching places men above women. Quoting Islamic scripture, she wrote, “Just as men have rights over women, so women also have clear rights over men. The rights of men over women are a step higher.” Boys, she said, grow up with privileges that instill in them a sense of entitlement, power, and an acceptance of violence as part of masculinity. According to her, this dynamic helps explain why domestic violence is widespread in Muslim societies….
࿗Infidel࿘ says
In other news from Europe, water is wet
Wellington says
And yet she remains a Muslim. Must be looking for that peaceful, tolerant, non-misogynistic, kumbaya Islam lurking out there somewhere.
Mateen Elass says
Wellington,
You may be right that she is still a Muslim of sorts, but I cannot find any place in the original article or this summary on JihadWatch where she self-identifies as a Muslim. Let’s not tar and feather folks who are courageous enough to point out dark truths about Islam and its native culture to an ignorant Western audience, regardless of their background.
Perhaps I am overly sensitive to this because my name, heritage and background have led some who know Arabic and Arab heritage to assume I muust be Muslim, even though for fifty years now I have been a follower of Christ.
Mateen Elass says
Wellington,
You may be right that she is still a Muslim of sorts, but I cannot find any place in the original article or this summary on JihadWatch where she self-identifies as a Muslim. Let’s not tar and feather folks who are courageous enough to point out dark truths about Islam and its native culture to an ignorant Western audience, regardless of their background.
Perhaps I am overly sensitive to this because my name, heritage and background have led some who know Arabic and Arab heritage to assume I muust be Muslim, even though for fifty years now I have been a follower of Christ.
somehistory says
“Neue Zürcher Zeitung, Swiss-Tunisian scholar and political Islam activist Saïda Keller-Messahli
” political Islam activist”
Mateen Elass says
somehistory, this could just mean an activist who seeks to rally support against political Islam (like, e.g., Bill Warner). It does not confirm Keller Messahli’s personal beliefs, as far as I can see.
gravenimage says
Mateen, Saïda Keller-Messahli founded the Forum for a Progressive Islam:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sa%C3%AFda_Keller-Messahli
She is *definitely* still Muslim. Whether she genuinely hopes to create a “progressive Islam” or whether this is whitewash, I do not know. Even if the former–probably so–this may well just have the effect of the latter.
Mateen Elass says
Gravenimage,
Thank you for the link to this additional information on the woman in question. I’m saddened that she still seems to pursue the mirage that a benign Islam can be separated from the Qur’an and from Islam’s bloody, misogynistic, misanthropic history.
Wellington was correct in his perception. I apologize to him for suggesting he was jumping to conclusions! Mea culpa.
somehistory says
It’s good you have had your eyes opened to *see* farther.
gravenimage says
Thank you, Mateen. Like you, I wish she had left Islam.
Big Dude says
Gosh
Even in peaceful Switzerland
Wife beating — can’t be possible
This is a western lie
gravenimage says
Big Dude, did you forget the “sarc” tag?
Nera says
Nope, none of these are Swiss problems at all, he can go solve these problems in his home country
Isabella Hale says
Thanks for posting that. That is actually not news to me or those who are familiar with Islamic borderline sadistic misogynist teachings. Switzerland and all civilized nations need to STOP ANY FURTHER MUSLIMS and BAN SHARIA LAW in their country. KICK them all out before their culture and society is further destroyed by the Islamic “law” teachings. FULL STOP. The USA will for sure not allow this because the we an armed nation and we have our own law and founded on Judaeo-Christian beliefs and founded by Christians.
somehistory says
It’s funny….she didn’t tell anyone what ‘rights women have over men.’ She just claims they have these rights.
As Wellington wrote, she remains in islime. Does she somehow believe she can change things?
Many years ago, women sometimes had the idea that if they found a man they wanted, but he had some undesirable trait, they as a ‘good woman,’ could *change him.* It might have occasionally happened, but not likely to have.
What is this woman’s purpose in writing these things about the *idea* that muzzie males have that they are superior to women? She didn’t say it was an *idea,* but that’s all it is.
Does she want Swiss society to come down hard on muzzies to make them change their behavior? Or does she want the Swiss to send all of them back to the countries from whence they came?
As long as they remain a part of the problem, there will be the problem.
abu taleb says
The right of women over men is the right to be fed and clothed if the women behave well. But the women must satisfy the men any time the men want because she has been bought by dowry.
So, yes, women have clear right over men, only the right is very insignificant and has a condition.
Ken Olson says
Might be wise to clip this in the bud. Declare the Muslim Brotherhood a terror organization.
The rest will fall like dominoes
gravenimage says
Ken, the idea that the only problen wth Islam is the Muslim Brotherhood is mstaken.This is orthodox Islam.
gravenimage says
Switzerland: Scholar says Islamic norms of male superiority are fueling domestic violence and femicides
…………………………………………………
This *should* be obvious. but kudos to Saïda Keller-Messahli for speakng out. Unfortunatly, her belief in a “Progressive Islam” seems pretty fanciful.
Tim gallagher says
Well, duh. I suppose it takes quite a bit of courage to say what she says. Muslims might go after her. Islam, in endless ways, takes people with plenty of potential and turns them into primitive knuckle dragging monsters. You look at the very high ideals in Christianity and then 700 years later Islam drags humanity back into a sewer in terms of morality. Now 2025 and Islam is still a sewer, a bunch of evil knuckle draggers. Nothing but complete filth that’s Islam. It needs to be banned from non Muslim countries civilised life and Islam are complete opposites.
R G says
I’m surprised that this goes on in Switzerland. I thought the Swiss were strict about immigration, and required lots of money to move there?
OLD GUY says
There are lots of wealthy Muslims and that money doesn’t change their belief in male superiority or their hate for all who don’t follow Islam and its Sharia Law.
gravenimage says
Muslims make up approximately 5.4% of the Swiss population as of 2020. Scary figure.
Lizabee says
Islam is the Democrat Commies favorite “religion” but in the end, the atheist Commies will be eaten by the Crocodile once Islamic Sharia is established. All the “moderate” Muslims critical of Islam will also be dealt with according to the Koranic manifesto.
Controse says
Man these academics are insightful. No wonder they make the big bucks in their cushy jobs. My first son made the same observation when he was 10 years old.