World · North America · 12 hrs ago
Muslim Manosphere Influencers Use Religious Language to Police Women Online
Mariam, who administers a Facebook group for women in the United Arab Emirates with nearly 400,000 members, says men have sent her abusive messages about how she should dress and behave.
She disabled Facebook Messenger after the messages began affecting her mental well-being.
The harassment is linked to the Muslim manosphere, a strand of the wider online manosphere that combines antifeminist ideas with religious language.
Researchers say its influencers draw on concerns about money, political instability, religion and social change to attract audiences.
Some creators frame relationships between men and women as struggles for power, and one researcher says some videos describe violence against women as discipline or retaliation.
The trend extends beyond the Arab world, with influencers in other countries also discussing gender roles and challenging women over their clothing.
The issue is not religious expression itself, but the use of religious authority to justify harassment and control of women.
A Wired investigation describes Muslim manosphere influencers using religious language to promote misogynistic views and police women online.
Women face messages directing them how to dress and behave, as well as sexual harassment.
The article says creators adapt wider manosphere ideas to local concerns about religion, masculinity, marriage, money, and social change.
Researcher Sarah Kaddoura says influencers draw on financial insecurity, political instability, and fears about morality and social cohesion.
The article distinguishes religious expression itself from the use of religious authority to legitimize harassment and surveillance.
- Who
- Muslim manosphere influencers and women targeted by their online messages.
- What
- Influencers use religious language to promote misogynistic ideas and police women’s behavior.
- When
- The article was published on October 11, 2026; it also discusses a 2025 report.
- Where
- Online across borders, languages, and platforms, including the Arab world and the UK.
- Why
- The article says influencers use anxieties about religion, masculinity, money, political instability, and social change to build audiences.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Being the admin of this group has subjected me to all kinds of harassment
I couldn’t take it any longer. It was starting to affect my mental well-being
the most
Sarah Kaddoura examined the Arabic-speaking manosphere in a report.
Wired published its investigation into the Muslim manosphere and online policing of women.
- Facebook group
- Close to 400,000 members
- Group administrator
- Miriam, who asked to be identified only by her first name
- Researcher
- Sarah Kaddoura
- Report
- Published in 2025
- Influencer
- Jordanian relationship coach Kareem Atta’i, also known as Coach Kareem or Red Pill Arabic
- Influencer
- UK-based creator Ali Dawah
Sources
Related news
Eight people and the suspected gunman are dead after shooting in Erie
NATO defence technology exercise concludes in Nova Scotia
Hurricane Isaias kills four and leaves hundreds of thousands without power
Trump says Russia will supply diesel as fuel prices surge
Trump’s Russian diesel plan draws criticism from Republicans and Democrats
Hurricane Isaias Was First Atlantic Storm of the Season
Christa Pike returns to prison after surviving failed Tennessee execution
Nine dead after shooting in Erie, Pennsylvania
US sanctions International Criminal Court after former judge wins Nobel Peace Prize
Isaias weakens after striking Florida and Alabama, leaving hundreds of thousands without power
USS Abraham Lincoln returns to San Diego after record time at sea
