I have only recently become friends with a Muslim, he is from Pakistan. He's a genius. Anyway, he recently surprised me by mentioning that he doesn't drink just before we were to attend a business social function. And he stated matter-of-factly that it was because he was religious. It's interesting being exposed to this, because he is hilarious, not at all uptight, and I curse like a truck driver around him and it doesn't seem to bother him at all. I have no idea what his views on women are, but I have yet to pick up a speck of sexism from him, so...I just leave it at that. I love being exposed to new, diverse people. Of course I've known Muslims in the past, but this is the first real relationship I can say I've had with a Muslim. (I stress this is a friendly business relationship of some depth, but business only). I would be the first one to tell him to get f'd if he started any sexist religious bullshit. I don't put up with it from anyone. But it's not come up at all. I deal with more sexist bullshit from Italian guys I know, dead serious.
Exactly, they are people, too, as diverse as you and I, their religion ranges from mystics to Sharia zealots, just as all religions. I have a girlfriend who wears the veil and another who doesn't.