The source for the following comments, however, felt the description to be important for Chaplains in understanding and working with Muslims. A woman is viewed as an extension of the most important man to whom she s related. A woman without such a relationship is an anomaly. Such things as being required to ask permission to even leave the house and being chaperoned in doing so are common. Life can easily become dismal and oppressive.
Chronic depression is common, leading to functional physical symptoms.
It was also suggested that there is an unusually intense denial of the abuse of women and children. It is considered a subject never to be discussed, even by health care professionals. In situations where a husband dies, especially if the relationship was supportive, the wife may fear a loss of freedom. It is suggested that one fear at times is that the husband s brothers, in taking over leadership of the family, may remove the children or unjustly use their inheritance. Remarriage is uncommon, and a desire to remarry is taken as an insult to the dead husband.