Green Energy
I have added the Institute for the Secularization of Islamic Society to our blogroll. You can read their Mission Statement here. And, while that is impressive, it is their position on women which really wins me over. Here is an excerpt from a position paper, which appears on their website, called Islam And Women's Rights:
As many Western and Eastern apologists for Islam repeatedly tell us that what is happening to women in the so -called Islamic countries is not according to real Islam, and that real Islam is egalitarian, I mainly refer to the Koran. Laws about women are the most cruel, inhumane and cunning aspects of the Koran and Islamic Shari'a.
The rigid laws of Islam have deprived half of the population of their basic human rights. The male is in charge of the female: Koran 4:34, and the subjugated half is led to believe, through Islamic teachings, that the supremacy of the man is the will of Allah, and it has been predestined for women to live as submissive, obedient wives.
They are forced to accept that women are inferior to men, that their testimony is equal to only half that of the man, that they should inherit one - half of the male share, that Allah doesn't want to see any women unveiled, that she may not conserve with men except her father, or her brother.
The proper job and position for women is taking care of home, children and to be a housewife. The majority of Muslim women are brought up with theconviction that it is Allah's command for them to be under male dominance and their fates are interwoven with that of men.
In the Koran there are four so called neutral verses where women are considered equal to men (at least not demeaning towards women); to which apologists for Islam refer us repeatedly. Here are those:
3: 195 "Their Lord responded to the: "I never fail to reward any worker among you for any work you do, be you male or female, you are equal to one another¦."
4: 124 "As for those who lead a righteous life, male or female. While believing, they enter paradise; without the slightest injustice"
16: 97 "Anyone who works righteousness, male or female, while believing, we will surely grant them a happy life in this world, and we will surely pay them their full recompense for their righteous works."
40: 40 "Whoever commits a sin is required for just that, and whoever works righteousness - male or female - while believing, these will enter paradise wherein they receive provision without any limits."
In opposition to above four so-called neutral verses, there are hundreds of versed that deliberately defame and dehumanise women:
An-Nisa 4: 34 "As to those women On whose part ye fear disloyalty and ill -conduct, admonish them (first), (next) refuse to share beds, (and Last) beat them (lightly); but if they return to obedience, seek not against them means (of annoyance): For God is Most High, Great (above you all)"
Al - Baqara 2: 223 "Your women are a tilt for you (to cultivate) so go to your tilt as ye will, and send (good deeds) before you for your souls, and fear Allah, and know that ye will (one day) meet Him. Give glad tidings to believers, (o Mohammad)"
Al - Baqara 2: 222 "They questioned thee (O Mohammad) concerning menstruation, Say it is an illness, so let women alone at such times and go not unto them till they are cleansed."
(...)
Veiling (hijab)
One of the most misogynist Islamic laws with respect to women is the requirement for complete veiling (hijab) in accordance with koranic tenets. The wearing of the veil was instituted by Mohammad in the early days of Islam. Within about one hundred years of his death, the institution of veiling and seclusion had been spread all over the Middle East. One and a half centuries after his death, the system was fully established.
The effect of all kinds of veils is the same, the woman is rendered anonymous, a non -person ...
Why is Islam so obsessed with keeping men and women part? Why have Islam gone to such great lengths to maintain control over women?
The main reason for hijab is the need for controlling women's sexuality. Veiling internalises the Islamic notion in women that they belong to an inferior sex, and that they are sex objects. It teaches them to limit their physical movements and their free behaviour. Veiling is a powerful tool to institutionalise women's segregation and to implement a system of sexual apartheid.
Go read the whole thing.
This is exactly the kind of Moderate Muslim organization that is needed for a true reformation of Islam.
-
Pakistani Muslim rapist admits women have no rights or opinions in Islam A practicing Muslim man raped and threatened a young Norwegian girl for several hours. Numerous rapes in Sweden over the past several years have been committed by "non-Western...
- Mane[ia]
As decent human beings let's weigh this out shall we? Are these veils more important than human suffering and dignity? Why is there such a profound importance placed on the wearing of the veil? For they are only pieces of cloth. Simple pieces of cloth....
- An Unhappy Life For Women In Iraq
Rocco di Pippo of the Autonomist blog has been in Iraq recently, and reports that for women there, equality has still not been achieved: In terms of material resources, Iraq is poised to take its place among the earth's most prosperous nations. But,...
- The Fitna Feminists
MSNBC:Muslim feminists from around the world vowed to create the first women’s council to interpret the Koran and overcome two stereotypes about their religion: Muslims are terrorists and Islam oppresses women.The following excerpt doesn't jive...
- Wafa Sultan On Women At War With The Mullahs
The UK Times (via USS Neverdock) interviews Wafa Sultan, who's been making very impressive efforts to speak out against the abuse of women under Islam: Sitting in the airy living room of the spacious modern home where Sultan and her husband live,...
Green Energy
A Respectful Bow To A Real Moderate Muslim Group
I have added the Institute for the Secularization of Islamic Society to our blogroll. You can read their Mission Statement here. And, while that is impressive, it is their position on women which really wins me over. Here is an excerpt from a position paper, which appears on their website, called Islam And Women's Rights:
As many Western and Eastern apologists for Islam repeatedly tell us that what is happening to women in the so -called Islamic countries is not according to real Islam, and that real Islam is egalitarian, I mainly refer to the Koran. Laws about women are the most cruel, inhumane and cunning aspects of the Koran and Islamic Shari'a.
The rigid laws of Islam have deprived half of the population of their basic human rights. The male is in charge of the female: Koran 4:34, and the subjugated half is led to believe, through Islamic teachings, that the supremacy of the man is the will of Allah, and it has been predestined for women to live as submissive, obedient wives.
They are forced to accept that women are inferior to men, that their testimony is equal to only half that of the man, that they should inherit one - half of the male share, that Allah doesn't want to see any women unveiled, that she may not conserve with men except her father, or her brother.
The proper job and position for women is taking care of home, children and to be a housewife. The majority of Muslim women are brought up with theconviction that it is Allah's command for them to be under male dominance and their fates are interwoven with that of men.
In the Koran there are four so called neutral verses where women are considered equal to men (at least not demeaning towards women); to which apologists for Islam refer us repeatedly. Here are those:
3: 195 "Their Lord responded to the: "I never fail to reward any worker among you for any work you do, be you male or female, you are equal to one another¦."
4: 124 "As for those who lead a righteous life, male or female. While believing, they enter paradise; without the slightest injustice"
16: 97 "Anyone who works righteousness, male or female, while believing, we will surely grant them a happy life in this world, and we will surely pay them their full recompense for their righteous works."
40: 40 "Whoever commits a sin is required for just that, and whoever works righteousness - male or female - while believing, these will enter paradise wherein they receive provision without any limits."
In opposition to above four so-called neutral verses, there are hundreds of versed that deliberately defame and dehumanise women:
An-Nisa 4: 34 "As to those women On whose part ye fear disloyalty and ill -conduct, admonish them (first), (next) refuse to share beds, (and Last) beat them (lightly); but if they return to obedience, seek not against them means (of annoyance): For God is Most High, Great (above you all)"
Al - Baqara 2: 223 "Your women are a tilt for you (to cultivate) so go to your tilt as ye will, and send (good deeds) before you for your souls, and fear Allah, and know that ye will (one day) meet Him. Give glad tidings to believers, (o Mohammad)"
Al - Baqara 2: 222 "They questioned thee (O Mohammad) concerning menstruation, Say it is an illness, so let women alone at such times and go not unto them till they are cleansed."
(...)
Veiling (hijab)
One of the most misogynist Islamic laws with respect to women is the requirement for complete veiling (hijab) in accordance with koranic tenets. The wearing of the veil was instituted by Mohammad in the early days of Islam. Within about one hundred years of his death, the institution of veiling and seclusion had been spread all over the Middle East. One and a half centuries after his death, the system was fully established.
The effect of all kinds of veils is the same, the woman is rendered anonymous, a non -person ...
Why is Islam so obsessed with keeping men and women part? Why have Islam gone to such great lengths to maintain control over women?
The main reason for hijab is the need for controlling women's sexuality. Veiling internalises the Islamic notion in women that they belong to an inferior sex, and that they are sex objects. It teaches them to limit their physical movements and their free behaviour. Veiling is a powerful tool to institutionalise women's segregation and to implement a system of sexual apartheid.
Go read the whole thing.
This is exactly the kind of Moderate Muslim organization that is needed for a true reformation of Islam.
-
Pakistani Muslim rapist admits women have no rights or opinions in Islam A practicing Muslim man raped and threatened a young Norwegian girl for several hours. Numerous rapes in Sweden over the past several years have been committed by "non-Western...
- Mane[ia]
As decent human beings let's weigh this out shall we? Are these veils more important than human suffering and dignity? Why is there such a profound importance placed on the wearing of the veil? For they are only pieces of cloth. Simple pieces of cloth....
- An Unhappy Life For Women In Iraq
Rocco di Pippo of the Autonomist blog has been in Iraq recently, and reports that for women there, equality has still not been achieved: In terms of material resources, Iraq is poised to take its place among the earth's most prosperous nations. But,...
- The Fitna Feminists
MSNBC:Muslim feminists from around the world vowed to create the first women’s council to interpret the Koran and overcome two stereotypes about their religion: Muslims are terrorists and Islam oppresses women.The following excerpt doesn't jive...
- Wafa Sultan On Women At War With The Mullahs
The UK Times (via USS Neverdock) interviews Wafa Sultan, who's been making very impressive efforts to speak out against the abuse of women under Islam: Sitting in the airy living room of the spacious modern home where Sultan and her husband live,...