Inside the Muslim Manosphere Policing Women Online

The Muslim manosphere, a subculture within the online manosphere, focuses on male grievance and antifeminist ideology, with many of its adherents drawing inspiration from religious teachings. Miriam, a woman who administers a group intended for women, has faced significant harassment online, receiving unsolicited messages instructing her on how to dress and behave.

This harassment is not uncommon for women who are visible online, as they often face a range of misogynistic behaviors, which in the case of the Muslim manosphere, are often rooted in a belief that women have acquired too much power and that men must assert control again. Influencers within the Muslim manosphere, such as Jordanian relationship coach Kareem Atta'i, frame interactions between men and women as a power struggle, often advocating for violence against women as a means of "disciplining" them or retaliating against sexual rejection.

This ideology is tailored to local anxieties around religion, masculinity, marriage, money, and social change, making misogyny a means to express broader frustrations. The aggressive nature of these influencers, often referred to as "Dawah Bros," goes beyond simply inviting viewers to learn about Islam, often challenging women about their clothing and promoting an immodest dress code.

This aggressive approach to promoting their content can lead to a backlash, with misogynistic comments often targeting women, especially those who are prominent online. A 2026 report by the Institute for Strategic Dialogue found that 72% of hate speech, harassment, or abusive language directed at prominent public figures on Instagram in Jordan was targeted at women, with 85% of those comments being sexual harassment.

This illustrates how women are policed online, with the same environment that instructs women to make themselves invisible also subjecting them to unwanted sexual attention.