social position; among the
richer classes a woman must submit to rules and customs different from
those which are standard among the poorer classes. The fundamental
views, however, are the same; the evil is one, though its outward
appearance may differ in some respects.

The misfortune of a Mohammedan woman begins at her birth, for instead of
rejoicing at the arrival of her little daughter, the mother complains
that she is not a son. She knows that a girl will leave her at the age
of about fourteen, in order to live in her husband's house, and after
that she will hardly have any connection with her mother, whereas a son
will stay at his mother's house and support her in case she should be
divorced from her husband. Moreover the mother is anxious lest her
husband dismiss her and take another wife. In consequence the mother
feels less affection for her daughter than she would have felt for a
son; she takes little care of her and neglects her. When about six years
old the little girl begins to do housework; she is ordered to carry
water, to sweep the house, to do kitchen-work, and so on. For the least
mistake she is scolded and beaten, and even if it happens without any
reason, she is not allowed to complain or to defend herself. By this
treatment the mother prepares her for the hard lot which awaits her.
Sometimes also she will exclaim: "If you had had good fortune, you would
have been a boy and not a girl." The father treats her with no less
cruelty, so as to give her the impression that she is indeed an
unfortunate creature whom God does not love.

At meal times girls take the last place and must be content with what
others leave for them. When on holidays or on other occasions boys get
presents, the girls go away empty-handed. Even for boy's dress more is
spent than for that of the girls.

[Illustration: MOSLEM WOMEN OF THE BETTER CLASS IN STREET DRESS (SYRIA)]

The teaching of girls is generally confined to prayers and a few
chapters of the Koran, which they learn by heart mechanically. Very
seldom are they taught to read and write. The exceptions are few and are
always the only children of the rich or the noble. By these exceptions
we know that Mohammedan girls are in every respect sufficiently
gifted for a higher education. Many of them have become prominent
scholars or artists, perfectly able to rival men. This has been proved
by the prose works and poems of Zubdat-ul-Nissa (that is, Flower of
Women)--by those