Not Muslim Anymore

Why is someone else's hymen any of your business?

2009-01-11T17:53:00.001-05:00

I was talking with a Muslim friend about a * girl we both know who is in her early 20's. She said "I hope she's a virgin". That kinda took me by surprise! I should have asked her why the hell it was her business, but I think I was kinda shocked by what she said so I didn't. I told her she has a boyfriend so probably not.

She would not have asked that if we had been talking about a guy. Of course not! It's the GIRL'S hymen which is so freaking important! Why is what a girl does everyone else's business, esp. something that's so private? This just kinda burns me up. Even if it's important in YOUR religion, that doesn't mean everyone else in the world has to adhere to what you believe.

Thank goodness I've been married, or she'd be all up in mine too.

* Arabs call any female who hasn't been married a girl, no matter her age. They would consider my sister a girl too, even though she's 42 and been on her own and supported herself since college!

~ A, not muslim anymore ~

Ramadan

2008-09-03T20:02:00.001-04:00

Wishing all Muslims a blessed Ramadan.

~ A

Nigerian faces death for 86 wives

2008-08-21T18:03:00.002-04:00

Click link above to view full article

Nigeria's Islamic authority has told the man who has 86 wives to choose only four and repent within three days or else he will be sentenced to death.

The Jamatu Nasril Islam (JNI) passed their verdict on Mohammed Bello Abubakar, 84, according to Sharia law.

This comes two weeks after the Nigerian press and the BBC reported on the case.

Talking to the media then, Mr Abubakar challenged Muslim scholars, saying there is no punishment stated in the Koran for having more than four wives.

Yes 86 wives is a bit much, but to kill him for it? I'd think just having that many wives would kill a man!

~ A, not muslim anymore ~

GTA's Secret World of Polygamy

2008-06-17T13:42:00.004-04:00

Click link above to view full article

There were no pleasantries, there was no small talk. Safa Rigby had expected to hear her husband's voice when the phone rang one morning. Instead, the caller didn't even bother to say hello.
"You think you know your husband. You don't know him at all," said the man, a friend of her husband's. "His car is parked outside my house right now. He is with my ex-wife. They just got married last week," the man said.
It took a minute for the news to sink in. Then she called her husband of 14 years, demanding to know if what she had just been told was true – that while she spent a year in Egypt raising their four children in a more Islamic environment, he had used it as an opportunity to marry not just one, but two other women in Toronto.
"Yes, I'm married," he said, quashing all her dreams of their future together.

This part makes me particularly mad:

"I don't encourage people to do it, unless they have reason for it. Life ends up being very complicated. You have to jump from one house to another all the time," he said.
That's why Hindy advises men to keep the second marriage a secret as long as they can, even from the first wife.

What a way to foster trust in a marriage. Are women there just to do whatever you want with them, then discard them when you have used them up? Muslims are just using this as a way to "hook-up" and say that it's halal (allowed). This is disgusting!

Another article from the point of view of Safa's co-wife's ex husband: Polygamy is a Crime, Non?

Fouad Boutaya found out the law isn't quite as clear-cut as he thought when his wife married his friend and police said they could do nothing

~ A, Not Muslim Anymore ~

To veil or not to veil, that is the goddamn question

2008-04-23T20:23:00.004-04:00

Click link above to view full article

Very interesting blog post by a Muslim journalist. I wish more Muslims had the same attitude.

~ A, not muslim anymore ~

Saudi women 'kept in childhood'

2008-04-22T09:49:00.002-04:00

Click link above to view full article

Saudi women are being kept in perpetual childhood so male relatives can exercise "guardianship" over them, the Human Rights Watch group has said...
Their access to justice is also severely constrained, it says.
The group says the Saudi establishment sacrifices basic human rights to maintain male control over women.
Saudi Arabia is the only country in the world where women are not allowed to drive.
Saudi clerics see the guardianship of women's honour as a key to the country's social and moral order.

So "honor" is more important than their rights? I guess the West has it all backwards then[/sarcasm].

~ A, not muslim anymore ~

Muslim call to adopt Mecca time

2008-04-22T09:25:00.005-04:00

Click title above to see link.

Just wow. The arrogance.

Muslim scientists and clerics have called for the adoption of Mecca time to replace GMT, arguing that the Saudi city is the true centre of the Earth...
A prominent cleric, Sheikh Youssef al-Qaradawy, said modern science had at last provided evidence that Mecca was the true centre of the Earth; proof, he said, of the greatness of the Muslim "qibla" - the Arabic word for the direction Muslims turn to when they pray.

So where is this evidence from Modern Science? Or is it just the Muslim Scientists that have "proven" this?

~ A, not muslim anymore ~

Turkey in radical revision of Islamic texts

2008-02-27T07:06:00.006-05:00

Most of my posts have the link in the title, above. Click the title above(Turkey in radical revision of Islamic texts) to go to the page that has this article.

Turkey is preparing to publish a document that represents a revolutionary reinterpretation of Islam - and a controversial and radical modernisation of the religion.
The country's powerful Department of Religious Affairs has commissioned a team of theologians at Ankara University to carry out a fundamental revision of the Hadith, the second most sacred text in Islam after the Koran...
It says that a significant number of the sayings were never uttered by Muhammad, and even some that were need now to be reinterpreted...
The argument is that Islamic tradition has been gradually hijacked by various - often conservative - cultures, seeking to use the religion for various forms of social control...
According to Fadi Hakura, an expert on Turkey from Chatham House in London, Turkey is doing nothing less than recreating Islam - changing it from a religion whose rules must be obeyed, to one designed to serve the needs of people in a modern secular democracy.
He says that to achieve it, the state is fashioning a new Islam...

Wow, this is a brave step. It would be great if Islam would get more modernized, but the pessimist in me feels that most Muslims won't accept this.

~ ~ ~ ~
A, not muslim anymore

Plagarism: Don't do it.

2008-02-17T19:25:00.006-05:00

I did a search for my blog on http://www.copyscape.com, and found an MSN group that had copied several of my posts. I called them on it and they deleted them (and me as a member of their group) and tried to block me. There are ways to get around blocking by IP. I can check and make sure they don't do it again.

I don't mind links or a couple of paragraphs WITH A LINK, but please don't just copy and paste it on your site with asking me! That is not a request.

JUST ASK, that's all I'm asking!

Thanks!

A, Not Muslim Anymore

Women not as intelligent as men???

2008-01-18T09:38:00.000-05:00

I got this message on a forum that I am on. Here is part of the message:

Some of the statements by Muhammed SAW are general statements which include exceptions to the rule. furthermore, you may be mistaken in thinking that because women fall short in intelligence i.e as compared to men, that this is the same as being stupid, or dumb...
So if we look at the context, its general, this does NOT mean you cannot find women more intelligent then men, indeed, there are exceptions BUT, we have to admit, men are more intelligent then women, generally speaking, if this is not true why are most men in science, goverment, etc.

So because women have not been in government, science, and many other things they are not as intelligent as men? What about the differences in education that men and women have gotten through the centuries? Women were supposed to be able to excel as much as men even without equal education?

Women have come a very long way in the past hundred years, when women have tried to get an equal education. Islam treats women like they are children. Why would I want to stay in a religion where people think I am stupid just because I am a woman??? Muslims are ~~taught~~ brainwashed to believe this, and even Muslim women think it about themselves! Talk about blind sheep.

A, not a blind sheep anymore!

Irony of Apostates who leave Islam for no religion

2008-01-12T16:58:00.000-05:00

The last thing he says is the first thing I will comment on:

May Allah guide them back to the fold of Islam.

Why can't Muslims see that everyone has their own Path, their own way they want to live their life? There's more to life than Islam!

More idiocy:

The irony is that after they break free, they feel lost. Suddenly, they feel that they have no affiliation to any social group. While they were once part of a Muslim society, they find themselves a nobody after apostasy...
My guess is that such apostates are still living in the past. They have left Islam, yet they want others like them to be around, so that they can share the past, which they decided to leave behind.

Why don't you stop guessing about people you know nothing about?

Apostates who leave Islam without any religion should seriously consider if there really is a need to regroup apostates who have no religion. There are many other friends out there.

We have other friends. I have a multitude of friends, a minority of which are former Muslims. But who else can understand what it is like to deal with issues that only former Muslims deal with? And who else can really know what Islam is like, under all the "Islam is Peace" crap? Only former Muslims.

I don't go around with "former muslim" on my forehead. It is a very small part of who I am. It is a part, because I lived the Muslim life for 14 years, and my kids did too. I don't dwell on it. But I am proud that I left it.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A, not muslim anymore

Not Muslim Anymore Forum, it's fixed now!

2008-01-12T13:16:00.000-05:00

I'm sorry if anyone tried to apply to be a member, I didn't realize I had set it to not accept new members! It wasn't intentional!

It is fixed now if anyone wants to take a look:

Not Muslim Anymore Forum

I wanted a safe place for former Muslims or those considering leaving Islam to have discussions. Obviously safety and anonymity are important to both those who have left Islam and those contemplating it, since there is frequent violence against them.
The only post that is readable to guests to the board is About This Forum. Non-registered users cannot post or read other posts. This makes sure users posts and profiles will not be visible to anyone who is not registered. Registration requires Administrator approval.

Banned! AKA I'm not a former Muslim because I don't hate Muslims? Part 2

2008-01-09T11:54:00.000-05:00

Well my IP address has been blocked from the site I blogged about yesterday. But there are ways around that ;).

I guess they think making fun of me makes me look bad, but it only makes them look ignorant! I see they deleted the threads, but I did save them. I will find a way to post them here.

My first banning! I think I'll have a party. I've got the chips. Who's gonna bring the drinks?

I'm not a former Muslim because I don't hate Muslims?

2008-01-07T21:47:00.000-05:00

I guess I should read posts on forums before I join them. I joined a former Muslim forum (www.JihadChat.com), and now they think I'm not a former Muslim because I don't have the same hatred for Muslims that they do.

My Intro Post

Hoop Star Hoists her Hijab

When I said:

Am I the only one who believes in her right to wear hijab? Yes I am a former Muslim, but I believe everyone has the right to practice their religion. I am glad that Muslim girls are getting into sports, it is good for their self-esteem, their health, and it is good for non-muslims to get used to them doing what others do.

They started attacking me! First saying I was not Muslim.

at this point I am finding really hard to believe you are an Ex muslim as you claim because for one you ardently defend the faith you purport to have left and that is very unatypical of somebody at odds with Islam so much that have decided to left it.

Any person who defends vile militant, barbarian, pedophelic, totalinarianism is a supporter of such and is anti-freedom and anti-democratic and an enemy to western civilization.

Then more ludicrousness!

Yes, you are the only one who beleives in anyone's right to wear a hijab. Most of us on this forum think islam should be ILLEGAL in the west.

And it gets even more wierd!

if a man divorces a muslim women she is considered unmarraigable for the rest of her life. She will be treated as a leper for the rst of her life. Heck, in Saudi Arabia they have orphanages for divorced women although not many. So this story of marrying more than one muslim man reeks of lies itself...The only other thing I can think of is that she might be american woman who these men used for a green card in which I can imagine they probably would marry a leper.

Well I never experienced that! And I don't live in Saudi Arabia. Many Muslim men in the US will marry a woman who is divorced and has kids. Even a man who has never married or has sex.

I am called a secular humanist liberal like it's a bad thing lol.

Not Muslim Anymore Forum

2008-01-07T13:55:00.000-05:00

I wanted a safe place for former Muslims or those considering leaving Islam to have discussions. Obviously safety and anonymity are important to both those who have left Islam and those contemplating it, since there is frequent violence against them.

The only post that is readable to guests to the board is About This Forum. Non-registered users cannot post or read other posts. This makes sure users posts and profiles will not be visible to anyone who is not registered. Registration requires Administrator approval.

Edited to add: I accidentally disabled new members! I did fix that if anyone wants to join.

Why Muslim Apostates Should be Executed!

2007-11-09T22:26:00.000-05:00

Many Muslims say that people who leave Islam shouldn't be killed, but many say they should. This Islam Q and A (Question and Answer) site explains the "good" reasons why.

The punishment for the apostate is execution. Why such harshness?

Let's look at the reasons they state.

1. This punishment is a deterrent to anyone who wants to enter Islam just to follow the crowd or for hypocritical purposes...

Is thing kind like "until death do us part"? They don't enforce that! People change. That doesn't mean that they went into it as a fad or anything. I was Muslim for about 13 years. I lived as a Muslim, raised my kids as a Muslim, and really never thought I wouldn't be one. But what I believed and felt was important changed. Does that mean I went into Islam just to "follow the crowd"? If I was following the crowd, I never would have become Muslim!

2. The one who announces his Islam has joined the jamaa’ah (main body) of the Muslims ... Apostasy from Islam means forsaking the jamaa’ah and its divine order, and has a harmful effect on it. Execution is the greatest deterrent that will prevent people from committing such a crime.

Is freedom of religion a crime? When I became Muslim, they didn't have me sign an oath in blood! Why is one person or some people leaving Islam harm it? Is that the only way you can keep people in, by force?

3. Those Muslims who are weak in faith and others who are against Islam may think that the apostate has only left Islam because of what he has found out about its real nature, because if it were the truth then he would never have turned away from it.In this case executing the apostate is obligatory, in order to protect the true religion from the defamation of the liars and to protect the faith of its adherents and remove obstacles from the path of those who are entering the faith.

Oh, so they don't want people to see others leave Islam and think that they can leave it too. Or think that maybe things are perfect in Islam. Why don't you let people think for themselves and come to their own conclusions, instead of killing people who leave so others won't leave it?

4. We also say that the death penalty exists in the modern laws of man to protect the system from disorder in some situation and to protect society against certain crimes which may cause its disintegration, such as drugs etc. If execution can serve as a deterrent to protect man-made systems, then it is more appropriate that the true religion of Allaah, which Falsehood cannot come to it from before it or behind it [cf. Fussilat 41:42], and which is all goodness, happiness and tranquility in this world and in the Hereafter should punish those who commit acts of aggression against it and seek to extinguish its light and defame its image, and who fabricate lies against it to justify their apostasy and deviation.

So all apostates lie about the religion? How does leaving Islam and stating what you think about it relate to the death penalty in modern laws? That is for murderers, not people who want to change their religion!

This is the most ridiculous thing I have ever read! You want to justify killing people who left Islam. Is that the only way you can keep people in your religion? Thank DOYC that I left it!!!

An.

Saudi Women Lobby King for Driving Right

2007-09-17T22:33:00.000-04:00

JIDDAH, Saudi Arabia - For the first time ever, a group of women in the only country that bans female drivers have formed a committee to lobby for the right to get behind the wheel, and they plan to petition King Abdullah in the next few days for the privilege...

Good for them! It's not likely to do anything, however.

The last time the issue was raised was two years ago, when Mohammed al-Zulfa, a member of the unelected Consultative Council, asked his colleagues to think about studying the possibility of allowing women over age 35 or 40 to drive -- unchaperoned on city streets but accompanied by a male guardian on highways.
The suggestion touched off a fierce controversy that included calls for al-Zulfa's removal from the council and stripping him of Saudi citizenship, as well as accusations he was encouraging women to commit the double sins of discarding their veils and mixing with men.

Wow, taking away his citizen for suggesting that women drive? DOYC forbid that women discard their veils and mix with men.

A, veil-less and mixing with men on a daily basis

Women the world over find veil limits job choice

2007-08-28T09:22:00.000-04:00

Interesting article. Intro:

DUBAI (Reuters) - Aysha Obeid couldn't get a job as a shop assistant in Dubai because of the veil that covered her face, exposing only her eyes to the outside world. So to improve her employment prospects, Obeid stopped wearing the veil.
"No one takes women with niqab in the retail sector," said Obeid, 22.
While women who cover up for their faith may expect problems getting some kinds of work outside the Muslim world, those in the region also say they have trouble getting jobs -- particularly ones requiring them to interact with the public.

Egyptian Girl Dies in Circumcision

2007-08-15T14:53:00.000-04:00

CAIRO, Egypt -
A 13-year-old Egyptian girl has died during a circumcision operation, two months after the death of another girl prompted health officials to ban the widespread traditional procedure, local media said Saturday.
In June, the death of 12-year-old Badour Shaker during a circumcision operation in the southern town of Maghagh sparked a public outcry, prompting the government to officially ban hospitals from performing female circumcisions...
The Egyptian Health Ministry said violators would be punished, but did not specify the penalty. The ban is not as enforceable as a law, which requires passage in the national legislature...
While top clerics insist the practice has nothing to do with Islam, parents, especially in rural villages and Cairo slums, believe they are helping their daughters by protecting their virginity before marriage...
A 2003 survey by UNICEF said that 97 percent of married women in Egypt have undergone genital mutilation. A recent study by Egypt's Ministry of Health and Population found that only half of all girls between the age of 10-18 years have been circumcised.

Yes let's protect their virginity at all costs, even life. Better for them to be dead than to "disgrace the family." And of course no one cares if a man is a virgin or not. No, let's let them do whatever the hell they want.

Why do I think that he won't really be punished? A slap on the wrist, don't do this again, kind of thing. 97% of married women have had this done to them? This is really sad.

U.S. to defend Muslim girl wearing scarf in school

2007-08-15T13:44:00.000-04:00

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Justice Department announced Tuesday the government's civil rights lawyers have jumped into a legal case to support a Muslim girl's right to wear a head scarf in a public school.
Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Alex Acosta said government lawyers would support 11-year-old Nashala Hearn, a sixth-grade student who has sued the Muskogee, Oklahoma, Public School District for ordering her to remove her head scarf, or hijab, because it violated the dress code of the Benjamin Franklin Science Academy, which she attended.

Wow, the government does something good for a change!

Edited to add: This means I agree with the government's lawyers who are going to defend her, NOT the school for throwing her out and refusing her right to wear hijab.

Hot coffee, anyone?

2007-07-25T08:57:00.000-04:00

This is an old case that people bring up when they are talking about frivolous lawsuits. Don't ya know coffee is hot? Well duhh, of course. However:

During discovery, McDonalds produced documents showing more than 700 claims by people burned by its coffee between 1982 and 1992. Some claims involved third-degree burns substantially similar to Liebecks. This history documented McDonalds' knowledge about the extent and nature of this hazard.
McDonalds also said during discovery that, based on a consultants advice, it held its coffee at between 180 and 190 degrees fahrenheit to maintain optimum taste. He admitted that he had not evaluated the safety ramifications at this temperature. Other establishments sell coffee at substantially lower temperatures, and coffee served at home is generally 135 to 140 degrees.
Further, McDonalds' quality assurance manager testified that the company actively enforces a requirement that coffee be held in the pot at 185 degrees, plus or minus five degrees. He also testified that a burn hazard exists with any food substance served at 140 degrees or above, and that McDonalds coffee, at the temperature at which it was poured into styrofoam cups, was not fit for consumption because it would burn the mouth and throat. The quality assurance manager admitted that burns would occur, but testified that McDonalds had no intention of reducing the "holding temperature" of its coffee...
McDonalds also argued that consumers know coffee is hot and that its customers want it that way. The company admitted its customers were unaware that they could suffer thirddegree burns from the coffee and that a statement on the side of the cup was not a "warning" but a "reminder" since the location of the writing would not warn customers of the hazard.

The jury originally set punitive damages at 2.7 million, but it was reduced to $480,000, 3 times the compensatory damages.

In a nutshell, McDonalds Knew their coffee was much much hotter than people were used to at home and at other places that served coffee, but they didn't care even after hundreds of cases of burns. The woman originally just tried to recover her medical expenses, if McDonalds had paid that they wouldn't have had to go through a lawsuit, which probably cost them more than they paid out to her. Too bad the higher punitive damages didn't stick.

A, not a regular coffee drinker

First Female President for India

2007-07-22T08:47:00.000-04:00

Pratibha Patil is to become India's first woman president after winning a comprehensive election victory, Indian officials say.
Mrs Patil, 72, won nearly two-thirds of votes cast in state assemblies and in India's parliament, they said...
Mrs Patil's supporters say her election to the largely ceremonial role will be a boost to millions of Indian women.

I hope this improves women's lives in India, they really need it.

A. for President

Iran to intensify Dress Crackdown

2007-07-18T13:02:00.000-04:00

Iran will intensify a crackdown on women flouting Islamic dress laws, a senior policeman has told local media.
Tehran police chief Ahmad Reza Radan said from 23 July twice as many police will tackle "immoral behaviour".
Hundreds of women have already been arrested and some beaten by police since the drive began in April, human rights groups say.

Great, instead of going after real crimes (murder, rape, robbery, etc.) they have to take women to jail for showing their hair. [sarcasm] Because we all know that women who show their hair are whores [/sarcasm]. What's next? Going out alone? DOYC (Deity of Your Choice) forbid!

A, hair today, gone tomorrow

Interesting Searches that Find my Page

2007-06-25T09:58:00.000-04:00

My counter shows what page someone was on before they came to my blog. Some people find me from other blogs that I am linked to, and some find me through searches. Here are some examples of searches that lead them to my page:

Not Muslim and Not Muslim Anymore are common ones, I'm about the first one on the search list there.
Is it ok for muslim women not to dress traditionally [Umm, I'd say yes]
Leave Islam Pakistan
muslim woman marrying man in jail
dont want to be a muslim anymore
wearing niqab in malaysia

A, seek and you shall find

Man Jailed Over "Bible" Rape

2007-06-17T20:07:00.000-04:00

A Man who raped a Muslim woman because she showed an interest in Christianity has been jailed for at least five years by a Sydney court...
The men told her they [Christians] were "infidel people" and if she went with them, her killing "would be halal" - meaning her killer would go to heaven.

It states that she converted to Christianity (after this happened). Do you blame her the way he acted? Do they have to force people to stay in Islam in order to keep Muslims? If so, what does that say about Islam? A lot, to me.

He got 5 years in prison. Does 5 years seem even remotely long enough? No damn way!

Malaysia's Lina Joy loses Islam conversion case

2007-06-17T09:03:00.000-04:00

It's sad that in Muslim countries they don't let people be the religion that they want to be. I guess if they don't force people to stay in Islam, many will leave.

PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia (Reuters) - Malaysia's best known Christian convert, Lina Joy, lost a six-year battle on Wednesday to have the word "Islam" removed from her identity card, after the country's highest court rejected the change.

She could not marry her non-Muslim boyfriend while her religion was Islam on her identity card.

Interestingly, the only opposing judge was the only non-Muslim judge:

The three-judge appeal bench ruled 2-1 against Joy. The dissenting judge, the only non-Muslim on the bench, said the department responsible for issuing identity cards should have complied with Joy's request to remove "Islam" from her card.

A, glad to live in the West where everyone can choose their religion and marry who they want to.

'Honor Killing' Sister Breaks her Silence

2007-06-17T08:57:00.000-04:00

A really great article, and sad too.

The Introduction:

Britain was appalled by the horrific 'honour killing' of a girl murdered by her father for daring to kiss the man she loved.
Here, her sister, who narrowly escaped death herself and now lives in fear of her life, breaks her silence.
Every time Bekhal Mahmod leaves the safety of her home, she wears the hijab with a black veil covering her face - even though she would give anything for the freedom not to have to.

Ex-parliamentarian arrested for criticising corruption online

2007-06-07T19:49:00.000-04:00

I guess they're not as liberal in Jordan as they claim. Maybe next time he'll use a pseudonyme.

Reporters Without Borders today condemned the arrest of former Jordanian parliamentarian Ahmad Oweidi Abbadi on 3 May for accusing King Abdallah’s government of corruption in an open letter to US senator Harry Reid that he posted on the Internet.
“This is the first time that someone has been arrested in Jordan because of what they posted online,” the press freedom organisation said. “Using imprisonment to silence a government opponent and to cover up embarrassing scandals in unacceptable.”...
The traditional media are closely watch in Jordan, and journalists have to belong to the government-controlled Jordanian Press Association.

Apartheid worked?

2007-06-05T05:16:00.000-04:00

I contemplated a few days before publishing the latest comment on my article about the Jordanian King here because it was so rediculous.

Taboo Truth said:

Because of large IQ gaps between Palestinians and Israelis, total assimilation is difficult. That's why apartheid worked-because you have to keep very different races separate-and why South Africa is a crime haven post integration.

I decided to allow it so I could discuss and let others know what kind of sick racist minds are out there. Black South Africans didn't have equal opportunity for education when SA was under Apartheid. So how can they just magically have a perfect life now? We can't understand how it was under Apartheid, only those can who experienced it. To me it's similar to (but not the same as) slavery. They were held down and not allowed to be educated or to even make a decent life for their kids. When the slaves in the US were freed, they didn't just get up and go to college (they weren't allowed in white colleges, that's why they made their own black colleges) and be an equal part of society.

As for Palestinians having a lower IQ than the Jews...The Palestinians I have known in the US are very educated and wanting to better themselves. They also are held down in Israel, they are told where to live, where to work, are practically strip-searched if they want to leave their town to go to work or the hospital or anywhere. Sometimes their towns are locked down, and they can't get out at all for days or weeks at a time. So IF there is a lower IQ there, it's about being able to be educated, not about being smarter.

The dictionary.com definition on apartheid:

A policy or practice of separating or segregating groups.

That is exactly what Israel does, hence they practice Apartheid. It is wrong to do this. I can see part of their POV (Point of View), with all the suicide bombers. They can't trust any Palestinians. But I think it has been going on for longer than that.

From Head Scarf to Army Cap, Making a New Life

2007-06-05T05:12:00.000-04:00

Interesting article of Muslim women who joined the US Army after being abused/victimized by their Muslim families. Very inspiring!

Women's Bill in Pakistani Assembly

2007-06-05T04:54:00.000-04:00

Finally the women in Pakistan are getting their rights, but I seriously doubt that they will really get all the rights that the bill says they will.

Pakistan's national assembly has begun work on a bill to safeguard women's rights to property and inheritance.
The Prevention of Anti-Women Practices Bill seeks to ban various customs that deny women the right to marry or subject them to forced marriages.
Last November the assembly overcame bitter opposition from Islamic parties to amend the country's controversial rape laws...

The damn Islamic party is trying to keep women under the foot of the man. Now women can be jailed if they say a man raped them. Is the man in jail? No, there's not enough evidence. WTF??? I don't think there's any logic there.

Lastly it says:

The bill proposes that husbands who bring charges of infidelity against their wives under Islamic law but fail in their cases could face charges of slander.
In such cases, the wife would be given the power to initiate divorce proceedings.

Which means, in other words, they usually DON'T have the right to initiate divorce there. Islam treats women like they are children! And like we will just get mad every month when we are on our "monthly" and want to divorce our husbands!

When someone says that women in Islam got many rights in the 8th century that women didn't have anywhere else, ask them why they are still treated like it's the 8th century!

They need to treat women like the ADULTS we are! As long as women put up with this, in other words go along with it, it will keep happening. The "moderate" Muslims aren't making much headway in the actual lives of women in many Muslim countries, and some of them are not trying very hard.

A., lack of an appendage doesn't make me less of an adult

Jordan king in Palestinian plea

2007-05-21T21:09:00.000-04:00

Jordan's King Abdullah has urged the world to act to end what he described as the continuing suffering of Palestinians under Israeli occupation...
"This suffocating situation has brought poverty, malnutrition, frustration and radicalization," King Abdullah said.

I do not defend what the Zionists do. When I lived in Jordan we saw them bombing civilians in Lebanon almost every day. They don't show that much in the West. I believe that how they treat the Palestinians is how the blacks were treated in South Africa. It's apartheid.

HOWEVER...what about him telling the Palestinians to stop killing civilians and doing suicide bombings? Even women are doing them now! I think the fault isn't just on one side, both sides need to change. I'm sure the King won't say that though. About half (or more, depending on who you ask, Palestinians say more) of Jordanians are Palestinian, including his wife! Part of me doesn't blame the Israelis for not trusting the Palestinians.

A., Peace (and war) aren't one sided

Leading Afghan woman MP suspended

2007-05-21T21:02:00.000-04:00

An outspoken woman in the lower house of the Afghan parliament, Malalai Joya, has been suspended after comparing other MPs to animals.
Ms Joya said in a television interview that parliament was worse than a stable because, she said, at least stable animals were useful...
Ms Joya is sometimes described as the most famous woman in Afghanistan.
She made her name as a women's rights activist and has been a ceaseless critic of the warlords in parliament.

If she had been a man and said that, would she have been suspended? I seriously doubt it. They are probably getting back at her for helping women to have a voice in the country. Afghanistan is slowly getting back to it's Taliban era. I hope she can still be influential in getting women their rights.

Taliban Tells Pakistani Christians: Convert or Die

2007-05-21T20:16:00.000-04:00

Edited to add: BBC News Story Here

This really doesn't surprise me after how the Taliban has acted. It's just more of their stupid crap.

About 500 Pakistani Christians in Charsadda, a town in the North West Frontier Province bordering Afghanistan, received letters earlier this month telling them to close their churches and convert by Thursday or be the target of "bomb explosions."...
Asif Daudzai, a spokesman for the provincial government, asked Christians not to panic, saying authorities were doing all they could to ensure their protection.
"Christians are our brothers and sisters, and we will not allow any one to harm them," he told The Associated Press.

Brothers and sisters? Why does that not reassure me? Honestly I don't think Muslims consider them their "brothers and sisters". That is from 14 years of my own experience with Muslims, some from Pakistan. I don't think most of them wish them ill, but they don't consider them brothers, as only Muslims can be "brothers and sisters".

A., not a sister anymore

Feminist, socialist, devout Muslim: woman who has thrown Denmark into turmoil

2007-05-20T18:40:00.000-04:00

Interesting article about a Danish-Muslim woman who is running for Parliament.

The 25-year-old social worker, student and town councillor describes herself as a feminist, a democrat, and a socialist. She has gay friends, opposes the death penalty, supports abortion rights, and could not care less what goes on in other people's bedrooms. In short, a tolerant Scandinavian and European.
She is also a Palestinian and a devout Muslim who insists on wearing a headscarf, who refuses, on religious grounds, to shake hands with males, and who is bidding fair to be the first Muslim woman ever to enter the Folketing, the Danish parliament in Copenhagen...
The 25-year-old social worker, student and town councilor describes herself as a feminist, a democrat, and a socialist. She has gay friends, opposes the death penalty, supports abortion rights, and could not care less what goes on in other people's bedrooms. In short, a tolerant Scandinavian and European.

I think she should have the right to wear a scarf if this is what she believes. Why can't she be a tolerant Scandinavian and a Muslim who believes she should cover?

"This goes far beyond the extreme right," says Toger Seidenfaden, editor of the Politiken daily newspaper. "Asmaa is insisting on the right to be a religious Muslim and that's provoking broad debate among the public."

I don't know about Denmark, but in the US she would have the right to wear a scarf and get a job anywhere.

"We don't like the idea of her performing as an Islamist in the parliament," says DFP spokesman Kim Eskildsen. "We find it wrong that she'll use the parliament as a tool for Islamism ... We don't consider this woman a Nazi. But the way the headscarf is used is comparable to other totalitarian symbols."

Why are they afraid of a small scarf? Do they think all Muslims are terrorists? Just because she wears a scarf doesn't mean she will try to make everyone in the country Muslim or use Parliament as a tool for Islam. That is ridiculous. She should be judged on more than just her looks.

Ironically, Muslims are not on her side either!

But conservative Muslim leaders are also disapproving of her activism.
"Some Muslims don't think it's right for a female to act like this. They go to my father and tell him, get her married, get her married," she laughs. "Others think you can't be Muslim and Danish at the same time. Some of the Muslims and the extreme right are just the same.

I say go girl. Go with what you believe. As long as you aren't saying that all non-Muslims are going to hell and stuff like that, then live your life according to your own path.

Muslims are more integrated in society in the United States, in all kinds of jobs and parts of the country. They have jobs in government and schools. I think they need this in Denmark, so they won't think that all Muslims are terrorists or want to convert all non-Muslims.

Saudi woman Sues Moral Police

2007-05-15T08:38:00.000-04:00

Wow, you go girl! It's about time! Some excerpts from the article:

A Saudi civil court is to hear the first ever case brought against the kingdom's religious police, commonly known as the Muttawa.
The unnamed woman is seeking compensation after she and her daughter were allegedly wrongfully arrested in a shopping centre car park in 2004 for "not wearing decent clothing", Abderrahman al-Lahm, her lawyer said...
The woman's family is bringing the case before a civil court in Riyadh on Sunday after an Islamic court rejected the complaint, ruling that "a member of the religious police cannot be judged".
Al-Lahm said he hoped his client's case would help consolidate the role of justice in defending individual freedoms and human rights...
The interior ministry issued a decree in May 2006 aimed at reining in the religious police by requiring them not to interrogate detained suspects, as they had previously done, but to hand them over to the regular police instead.

It probably won't go anywhere, but I am glad that someone is trying.

A.,

Iran Cracking Down!

2007-05-15T08:16:00.000-04:00

I guess they think they can't trust people to make decisions for themselves, they must tell them how to dress, how to have their hair cut, and even what to text each other!

50 women barred from boarding flights over un-Islamic dress

Tehran: Iranian police have prevented 50 women from boarding flights in their ongoing crackdown on dress styles deemed to be out of line with Islamic dress rules, officials said yesterday.
"Fifty badly-veiled women were prevented from boarding domestic and international flights for failing to respect Islamic dress rules," said the head of airport police Mamoud Bot-Shekane, according to the Fars news agency.

So they're not only telling them what to wear in Iran, but in other countries as well. Do they think they are going to obey them once they leave the country?

Now Iran bans Western Hairstyles.

Tehran: Iranian police have warned barbers against offering Western-style hair cuts or plucking the eyebrows of their male customers, Iranian media said on Sunday.
The report by a reformist daily, later confirmed by an Iranian news agency, appeared to be another sign of the authorities cracking down on clothing and other fashion deemed to be against Islamic values...
Iranian young men have in recent years started paying more attention to the way they look and dress, especially in affluent parts of the capital Tehran. Spiked up hair, by using gel, is known as the khorusi (rooster) style and some also use make-up...
Barbers who do not follow these rules might be closed down for a month and even lose their permits to operate, Etemad quoted him as saying...
"Currently some barber shops apply make-up and use hair styles that are in line with those in European countries and America," Eftekharifard said.
He added: "An official order has been sent to the union ... not to apply make-up on men's faces (or) do eyebrows ... and hence the barbers are not allowed to do these things."

Oh no, we must not have men with plucked eyebrows or makeup, that's a sure-fire way to go to hell! They must be MANLY men!

Iran to Filter Immoral Mobile Messages

Tehran: Iran's Telecommunications Ministry will start filtering "immoral" video and audio messages sent via mobile phones, state television reported on Saturday.
The Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution, a body set up after Iran's 1979 Islamic revolution, has instructed the ministry to buy the equipment needed to prevent any misuse of Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS), it said.

How ridiculous it this?!? They should just take away cell phones, and make people pass notes to each other like we did in school. Of course, then they'd have to have "official" note readers to make sure there was nothing immoral in the notes, or that they did not *GASP touch hands when they passed the notes. Are they going to be monitoring phone calls next? Or maybe they already do that. I'm sure email is next.

We mustn't have free speech. That's a Western concept!

A., don't look at my unplucked eyebrows!

Malaysia's converts test freedom of faith

2007-05-14T23:57:00.000-04:00

I posted my opinions about Does Islam say Apostates should be Killed a few days ago. I just found this article today, although it is not a new article.

Five days after she declared legally that she had converted from Islam to Christianity, several officers from Malaysia's state Islamic department turned up at the woman's office and arrested her...
While Malaysia is one of the world's most modern and relaxed Muslim countries, its treatment of apostates, primarily those who have given up the Muslim faith, has ignited a heated debate...
The ruling comes amid calls for capital punishment for apostasy, and follows a spate of civil suits by Malaysians seeking official recognition of their decision to leave Islam.
Half of Malaysia's 26 million people are ethnic Malays, who by law must be Muslim, while its Chinese and Indian minorities include Muslims, Christians, Buddhists, Hindus and Sikhs.

Why is there a law saying they HAVE to be Muslim? Are they that concerned that they might leave Islam?

Malaysia's civil courts have said they cannot recognise conversions from Islam and refer apostates to the Islamic courts, where sentences for various offences range from caning to jail.
Although such sentences are rarely carried out on apostates, Malaysians who leave Islam can find themselves in a legal limbo, unable to register their new religious affiliation or to marry non-Muslims. Many keep quiet about their choice or move abroad.

This is just wrong. Islam is holding people hostage. They don't live in the US where they can believe what they want to believe. Yes the US has many problems, but I am glad that everyone here has the right to hold their own beliefs, whether Muslim, Athiest, Hindu, Christian, Pagan, etc.

Some groups, including the opposition party Parti Islam se-Malaysia (PAS), want apostasy to be punishable by death. One government cleric said about 250,000 Malaysians had left Islam.
The Koran forbids Muslims to abandon their faith, but it doesn't specify the penalties, said Sohirin Solihin, professor of Koranic studies at Malaysia's International Islamic University.
But traditional writings, or Hadith, associated with the Prophet Mohammad proscribe death.
"The Koran is clear that there is no compulsion of religion but the issue of religious freedom is different for Muslims and non-Muslims. The Muslim understanding of this is different from the Western one," he said.

Oh, so religious freedom is for non-Muslim, not Muslims themselves? They are in it till they die, whether they like it or not?

I am all for everyone having their own path, their own belief. But my path is not yours, and I am against forcing anyone to be on a path that is not for them. And paths do change, look at mine: I grew up as a Seventh-day Adventist, didn't go to any church for years afterward (and was married to a Hindu), then was Muslim for 13 or 14 years. Now I have been going to a Unitarian Church. If someone wants to be Muslim, go ahead. If my kids want to be Muslim someday, that is their own choice. I won't like it, but it is a mother's job not like what her kids do, right? But I will say something if they are intolerant of anyone else's path.

This is the scariest part of the article:

The minister in the Prime Minister's Department for religious affairs, Abdullah Md Zin, declined to comment. His spokesman referred questions to the government's Department of Islamic Development where officials declined comment.
But the department's Web site recommends isolating and counselling apostates and then jailing them if they fail to repent.
"If the person remains an apostate, it is left to the respective authorities to impose the fitting sentence that is death," the department said in its Malay-language "Frequently Asked Questions" section.

A, catch me if you can

Crackdown in Iran over Dress

2007-05-08T14:08:00.000-04:00

Thousands of Iranian women have been cautioned over their poor Islamic dress this week and several hundred arrested in the capital Tehran in the most fierce crackdown on what's known as "bad hijab" for more than a decade...

Can't have "bad hijab", can we? It might make men actually look at women, then the country would implode.

Police cars are stationed outside major shopping centres in Tehran.
They are stopping pedestrians and even cars - warning female drivers not to show any hair - and impounding the vehicles and arresting the women if they argue back.

Why the heck does a woman showing her hair merit this? Why do they blame all ills on women?

Thousands of women have been cautioned by police over their dress, some have been obliged to sign statements that they will do better in the future, and some face court cases against them.

All over a scarf? And we wonder why the world doesn't take the Middle East or Islam seriously?

Here's an article talking to 3 Iranians about their views.

ZAHRA ANSARI, 36, MOTHER OF TWO CHILDREN said:

I believe in personal choice but also in modesty, as modesty is a virtue that our religion advocates - for both from men and women.
I am all for modesty, but modesty cannot be imposed by force.

Hmmm, soo which is it, personal choice or modesty? What if it is someone's personal choice Not to be modest? Does personal choice go out the window then?

HS, BUSINESSMAN, TEHRAN said:

For women, since we live in an Islamic country, they should wear something polite and modest and respect Islamic rules. But I do not believe in police enforcing these rules!

Oh, so only women should be modestly dressed? But who is to enforce this, if not the police? If they don't enforce it, the women will go wild and all dress naked!

A., glad she lives in a country without the fashion police.

Jordan opens children's museum

2007-05-08T14:05:00.000-04:00

Jordan will soon open a new museum just for children in the capital, Amman. The innovative Children's Museum-Jordan combines hands-on learning with scientific knowledge.

Does Islam say Apostates should be killed?

2007-05-08T12:56:00.000-04:00

Many Muslims say that this is just culture, that it is not in the religion at all. However, there are many Hadith (sayings and doings of the "prophet" Muhammed) which state this (the links are from a Muslim site with Hadith online):

Sahih Bukhari, Volume 9, Book 83, Number 17

Narrated 'Abdullah:
“The blood of a Muslim who confesses that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and that I am His Apostle, cannot be shed except in three cases: In Qisas for murder, a married person who commits illegal sexual intercourse and the one who reverts from Islam (apostate) and leaves the Muslims.”

Sahih Bukhari, Volume 9, Book 84, Number 57

Narrated 'Ikrima:
Some Zanadiqa (atheists) were brought to 'Ali and he burnt them. The news of this event, reached Ibn 'Abbas who said, "If I had been in his place, I would not have burnt them, as Allah's Apostle forbade it, saying, 'Do not punish anybody with Allah's punishment (fire).' I would have killed them according to the statement of Allah's Apostle, 'Whoever changed his Islamic religion, then kill him.'"

Sahih Bukhari, Volume 9, Book 84, Number 58

Narrated Abu Burda:
...Behold: There was a fettered man beside Abu Muisa. Mu'adh asked, "Who is this (man)?" Abu Muisa said, "He was a Jew and became a Muslim and then reverted back to Judaism." Then Abu Muisa requested Mu'adh to sit down but Mu'adh said, "I will not sit down till he has been killed. This is the judgment of Allah and His Apostle (for such cases) and repeated it thrice. Then Abu Musa ordered that the man be killed, and he was killed...

Sahih Bukhari, Volume 9, Book 89, Number 271:

Narrated Abu Musa:
A man embraced Islam and then reverted back to Judaism. Mu'adh bin Jabal came and saw the man with Abu Musa. Mu'adh asked, "What is wrong with this (man)?" Abu Musa replied, "He embraced Islam and then reverted back to Judaism." Mu'adh said, "I will not sit down unless you kill him (as it is) the verdict of Allah and His Apostle.

Sahih Muslim, Book 016, Number 4152

'Abdullah (b. Mas'ud) reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: It is not permissible to take the life of a Muslim who bears testimony (to the fact that there is no god but Allah, and I am the Messenger of Allah, but in one of the three cases: the married adulterer, a life for life, and the deserter of his Din (Islam), abandoning the community.

Sahih Muslim, Book 020, Number 4490

It has been reported on the authority of Abu Musa who said: ... Mu'adh said: Who is this? Abu Musa said: He was a Jew. He embraced Islam. Then he reverted to his false religion and became a Jew. Mu'adh said: I won't sit until he is killed according to the decree of Allah and His Apostle (may peace be upon him) (in this case). Abu Musa said: Be seated. It will be done. He said: I won't sit unless he is killed in accordance with the decree of Allah and His Apostle (may peace be upon him). He repeated these words thrice. Then Abu Musa ordered him (to be killed) and he was kilied.

Muslims are supposed to follow the Hadith as well as the Quran, not just selective parts of it. They say that this isn't Islam. If they admitted otherwise, it kind of makes it laughable that they say the religion is peace. Killing apostates is a part of Islam, although a part they wish to remain hidden from non-Muslims.

Veil Row in England

2007-05-08T06:53:00.000-04:00

If you haven't read about it: No Discrimination in Veil Row.

Aishah Azmi, 23, was asked to remove the veil after the Church of England school in Dewsbury, West Yorks, said pupils found it hard to understand her.
The tribunal dismissed her claims of religious discrimination and harassment on religious grounds...
Headfield Church of England Junior School, which has 546 pupils, suspended Mrs Azmi because it said pupils found it hard to understand her during lessons.
Kirklees Council said the decision was taken after a monitoring period in which the impact of wearing the veil on the teaching and learning was studied.

I am against discrimination in women wearing hijab or niqab, but sometimes the situation just isn't conducive to someone wearing niqab. Teaching children at a Christian school is probably one of them. She brings up that if you call someone in a call center, you can't see what they are wearing. Yes that is true. But she wasn't working in a call center, and what you wear around children can impact their education.

I have posted an interesting interview with her above from You Tube (here's the link if you can't see it). You noticed the interviewer asks her several times if she wore a veil in front of a man during her interview. She kinda beats around the bush (doesn't really answer the question) before she answers that no, she didn't. She can't say that she can't take it off when she is teaching there, when she wasn't upfront and honest during her interview. It sounds like she is wearing it selectively. If you wear hijab or niqab and say it is obligatory on you, but only wear it sometimes, then that kind of negates your wearing it for religious reasons, doesn't it?

A, just my 2 cents.

Ahmadinejad accused of indecency

2007-05-06T22:55:00.000-04:00

Iran's president has come under fire from a conservative newspaper after he publicly kissed the hand of a woman who used to be his school teacher.
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, a conservative by the standards of Iranian politics, was attacked by the Hezbollah newspaper for acting "contrary to Sharia law".
It accused him of "indecency and violating religious values".
The elderly woman at the centre of the controversy was wearing thick gloves, a headscarf, and a long black coat.
Ahmadinejad, better known in the west for his fiery anti-Israel rhetoric and his staunch defence of Iran's nuclear program, has been criticised in the past by ultra-conservative elements in Iran.
He once suggested that women should be allowed to watch football matches. This proved highly controversial and was turned down.

How ridiculous is this? Indecency for kissing an elderly lady's hand that had a heavy glove on it? And ohh, can't let women watch soccer ("football") matches. It might make us attack the men. They are half naked ya know! It's inappropriate!

A, who will be inappropriate if she wants to!

Another ridiculous post that I have to comment on

2007-05-01T23:46:00.000-04:00

A post I saw today about Polygamy Here

My husband believes that God knows the nature of men and He knew that a “typical” man would not be happy or satisfied with one woman so, He allowed polygamy in Islam...
I, on the other hand, think that when God knew that men would mostly be “typical” and would not be satisfied with one woman..

Sorry but that's another big load of crap today (see the previous post, not sure which is the biggest one). A typical man can't be satisified with one woman? What are women, just a place for him to satisfy himself? Sorry but this is just an excuse that men make up so they can have more than one woman. In Islam they say it's ok since they're married, but many Muslim men just marry because their wife is away and they want to have sex. They don't spend equal time with their first wife, they want to spend all their time with the new, more exciting (for now) one. Plus in the Western countries they cannot legally marry more than one woman, so the woman doesn't have the protection of the law. Don't give me "but he will give her her rights." That's another load of bull.

Most men can be satisfied with one woman, but not if they want to find any excuse not to be. Those are not typical men, they are just idiots.

Islam is supposed to allow polygamy so that women can have a husband and protection, plus have legal sex with a man, since that's not allowed outside marriage, esp. if she is divorced/widowed and it's not very easy for her to find a husband, not just as an excuse for a guy who wants to someone new and younger to screw around with.

Muslims regularly argue with non-Muslims that certain verses or Prophetic traditions (ahadith) were taken out of context or not read within the context in which they were revealed/said, but the verse on polygamy is never read within the context in which it was revealed.

But sometimes things are in black and white, and saying you are taking them out of context is just excusing the real meaning (such as the verse in the Quran saying men can beat their wives, read it here: Quran 4:34)

If a Muslim woman remarries, her children from the first husband automatically go to the father.

This is mostly cultural. In most muslim countries a man won't accept or take care of children from another man. Easy way out of that: just send the kids away. So what the woman is only the mother if she is with their father? If she is with someone else she is not their mother and won't put their well-being above her own? I have a big problem with that. "Islam respects women," but we'll take away their kids if they want to remarry. Hmm, somehow I missed the respect there.

A, try to take my kids away and you may die trying.

There's just too much wrong with this thinking!

2007-05-01T10:37:00.000-04:00

I just read this American Muslim's blog post here

There's so much wrong with this guy's thoughts I don't know where to begin! He blames "feminism" for all ills in society:

From its origins in the Secular West feminism has spread like a cancer through the entire world as a modern version of Western imperialism...

First of all, what is "feminism"? Is it women getting the right not to be beaten up, and to be able to call the police if her husband is beating her up and him getting arrested? Years ago the police did almost nothing unless she was almost dead. They still don't do much in many Muslim countries. Is it women getting the right to vote decades ago, which they didn't get in some Arab/Muslim countries even today, or only recently? Is it women being able to go to any college or get any job without discrimination? Is it the right to marry who she wants, and to leave that marriage if she is not happy or if she is being abused? If that is feminism, then it has greatly improved this country and the world! It's not to blame for all of society's problems.

Today women work so they can shop till they drop and women have fueled the culture of consumerism and materialism that we see today.

All women are working so they can just buy stuff? First of all, many women are single parents. They are working so they and their kids can have a roof over their heads, not just to buy designer purses. Second, even if they are married, it many times takes two incomes to afford a decent life for a family. It's not the 50's anymore. Things are less affordable now. Having a house and 2 cars and cable doesn't make you rich. Third, if you take the time and money to go to college, why wouldn't you use your education? I am glad I was home with my kids when they were young, but not everyone can do that. Plus I needed time out of the house for my own sanity but I rarely got it (both the time and my sanity *grin). I do know people who work so they can have more "stuff", but most people I know work out of necessity.

In talking about the woman working and not being with the children:

For poor families this time is often a time when kids get into trouble and experiment with sex, alcohol, drugs and crime

Only poor kids get in trouble and do drugs and alcohol and have sex? Where is he living?

With no clear head of the household there is no order and a constant fight for power which has sent millions of couples to divorce or thera-pimps.

Why should one person or the other be the "clear head of the household"? What makes men better than women? Why should one person "rule"? Sorry but I don't live in a dictatorship or a kingdom! When I was married, I told my husband he was more like a co-President. I elected him, but he could always be impeached!

...the kids have no discipline as the male disciplinarian has been stripped of his role (and many times his manhood) and the kids run the show. We see this today as your average high school girl goes to school dressed like a hooker...

Oh so only men can disclipline the children? Women are just wimps? What is the mother then? Just a rent-a-womb and udder, maid, cook, etc?

A breakdown in traditional gender relations and the criminalization of masculinity has caused a breakdown in the moral and social order.

So if women stayed at home, barefoot and pregnant, in the bedroom and kitchen, life would be just peachy? Men should be the "clear head" of the household and disclipline the kids and wife, then everyone would be happy? That's the biggest load of crap I've ever heard!

Rewriting the Ad Rules for Muslim Americans

2007-04-29T12:50:00.000-04:00

I thought this was a good article, thanks for sending it to me L! First part of the article:

For years, few advertisers in the United States have dared to reach out to Muslims.
Either they did not see much potential for sales or they feared a political backlash. And there were practical reasons: American Muslims come from so many ethnic backgrounds that their only common ground is their religion, a subject most marketers avoid.
That is beginning to change. Consumer companies and advertising executives are focusing on ways to use the cultural aspects of the Muslim religion to help sell their products.

Some areas, such as Detroit, have a large Muslim population, and some already carry products for Muslims:

Companies in the Detroit area, where there is a dense population of Muslims, are leading the change. A McDonald’s there serves halal Chicken McNuggets; Walgreens has Arabic signs in its aisles. And now, Ikea, which recently opened a store in the suburb of Canton, Mich., that has had trouble attracting as many Muslim customers as it had hoped, has been touring local homes and talking to Muslims to figure out their needs.

The biggest problem is that Muslims come from such a variety of countries, as well as American Muslims, who are in between all the cultures. The article addressed that, although there is no easy solution, or maybe no solution to that at all.

Muslims are not Required to Cover Up

2007-04-28T09:49:00.000-04:00

Muslims are not Required to Cover Up

This is an interesting article from a site that is moderate muslim (link is on my blog) and has articles criticizing some things about Muslims or Islam.

A few quotes from the article:

There is not a single reference in the Koran that obliges Muslim women to cover their hair or their face. The only verse that comes close to such a dress code (Sura 24, "The Light," verse 31) directs believing women to let their head coverings obscure their bosoms...
Beyond fashion, however, this supposed symbol of modesty has assumed a decidedly political and religious tenor, dominating the debate on civil liberties and religious freedoms in the West. Any opposition to the hijab is viewed as a manifestation of Islamophobia...
An inquiry into historical precedent, however, suggests the Koran does not mandate the hijab at all.
It should be noted that the khimar, a head scarf that predated the hijab, was worn by Arab women before the Koran's stipulations on modesty of dress and demeanour. Verse 24:31 did not introduce the garment, but modified its use when it said that Muslim women should "wear their head-coverings over their bosoms" -- previously, they were left bare, although decked with jewellery and ornaments.
The intent of the verse was to exhort believing women to cover their nakedness rather than their hair, which was left partially uncovered even though the khimar was a head dress. Moreover, the khimar was never rooted in religious precept -- it was rooted in custom. Modifications for its use were introduced into Islamic practice when the religion spread into Byzantine and Persian territories, where once again the head dress was prevalent as a social custom.

Their conclusion:

Islamists have turned the hijab into the central pillar of Islam. They consider Muslim women who do not cover their heads -- the vast majority -- as sinners or lesser Muslims. They should come out and debate the issue rather than using young Muslim girls as shields to pursue a political agenda.

I agree with the fact that Muslims who do wear hijab look down on other Muslims who don't wear it. Been there, done that, bought the t-shirt. Hijab isn't a piller of Islam. When you become Muslim you don't swear to wear it. Why is it the end-all and be-all of being Muslim? Isn't what is more important what is in your heart and how you treat others?

I got a comment this week that says:

What makes you think that Islam treats women like dirt? Is it because of the order from Allah swt to cover parts of your body that can make men go wild?

Ok, so women's body parts MAKE men go wild? They don't have their own brain that can say, "Hey, stop looking at that woman's breasts/butt/any body part?" This is ridiculous! Men take responsiblity for yourselves! Don't blame women if you are staring at a woman. Don't act like she MADE you look at her or she MADE you want her! Yes Islam treats women like dirt if they blame the woman if the guy stares at her or wants her. Men do have a big brain, they don't just think with their little brain all the time (just most of the time).

I once saw a cartoon in a Muslim magazine with 2 men sitting on a bench. Several non-muslim (meaning not covered) women walked by and one guy would be staring at them. But when a covered woman went by, he didn't look at her at all. Double standard anyone? Is it ok for muslim men to treat non-muslim women like they are sex-objects, but to treat women who cover like they are not? Not all muslim men act like that, I know some who don't.

But is this person being serious, blaming women for what men do? "Oh she made me rape her officer, because she was wearing a mini-skirt." Riight. Don't even get me started on countries such as Pakistan where women are jailed for saying they are raped, but of course there is not enough evidence to put the man in jail.

A, who doesn't take the blame for what anyone else does!

Blogs I have Been Reading

2007-04-11T16:55:00.000-04:00

I've been doing some blog-hopping and have been reading a few blogs with interest. Several I have added to my link list on the side, others I haven't. Not in any specific order.

Edited to add another one I just found: Peaceful Muslimah ~ A woman who speaks out when she sees an injustice, even if they are Muslim. Go girl! Also her trials and tribulations with a soon-to-be-ex husband whose estranged and supposedly soon-to-be-ex wife got back with him right after she married him. He does not support her or spend much time with her.

Between Obligation, Conscience, Beliefs and Desire ~ Fascinating Blog by a Canadian Muslim who lives in Egypt. She is a great writer, really makes you feel like you are actually there in the moment. She is dealing with problems with her husband, who is still in Canada (after she being in Egypt 6 years). He has married a couple of times and she found out by accident. In Islam, you (well he really, since women can't have more than one husband) are supposed to spend equal time with each wife if you have more than one wife. He has not done this and gets mad when she brings up her rights.

Honorary Arab ~ American (I think) Muslim convert who blogs about what she has gone through over the past few years in her life and with her now-ex Egyptian husband, who was married in Egypt and had twins and didn't tell her until after her marriage.

Chickpea Love ~ Woman who grew up Muslim with parents who converted. She blogs about her life and her recent trials and tribulations in dealing with her family concerning her serious relationship with her non-Muslim boyfriend. Coincidentally, she grew up in the same town that my ex's brother lives in and she knows his family. She's diplomatic with her family but firm. We have emailed and chatted, she's very nice.

Apostate ~ Pakistani who was raised Muslim and is now an atheist. Interesting articles and opinions.

A, blogging fool ;)

Hmm, am I Snarky? Naah, couldn't be me!

2007-04-10T13:22:00.000-04:00

Ok, well maybe I can be a bit Snarky. Another Unitarian Universalist mentioned my blog on His blog here. He said: "Fascinating blog, serious snark". Thanks for the fascinating part. Not sure if snarky is good or not lol. Guess I'll take it as a good thing. Thanks Daniel!

Happy Passover!

2007-04-07T10:26:00.000-04:00

Happy Passover to all my Jewish readers. Yesterday the kids and I went to a Passover Seder at church held by a Jewish couple that has hosted it there 4 years in a row. It was very interesting to learn about the rituals and traditions of Passover. My kids were the only children there, so they got to ask the four questions. Everyone got to read from some material that they printed out for us. I want my children to learn about other religious and cultural traditions. They know about the Muslim ones.

One interesting fairly recent tradition was the orange on the Seder Plate. What we were told was that a Jewish Rabbi said that the woman belongs as a rabbi as much as an orange belongs on the Seder plate. However, This site and This site have a different version of events. It seems that story may be an urban legend.

How does Polygamy benefit the first wife?

2007-04-04T22:26:00.000-04:00

I found this web site and was reading the story of a "first wife". Her husband married another wife and just let her know he was getting married. She goes through years of depression. At first she cannot even take care of her children. So they basically have lost both parents.

Then she says:

How does polygamy benefit the first wife?...I came to the conclusion that the first wife is actually sacrificing herself for the pleasure of Allah...
The blessing of polygamy is that through the trial, if a sister endures and is patient, she will mature as a Muslim and become stronger in her faith. A Muslim woman who endures polygamy will increase in faith, insha’Allah, simply by enduring the hardships of polygamy and trying to be patient and steadfast.

So her kids lose time with their mother that they can never get back, have to take care of themselves while their mother can't get out of bed being depressed because her husband felt she wasn't good enough and had to get another wife. What is she going to say to them? That it's for Allah? All because her husband couldn't stay away from another woman!

I hope she can pay for her children's therapy when they grow up, and that they still talk to her. This will affect them the most of all. She is sacrificing them by staying in this relationship and by acting like it will make her a better person. It's a load of something alright!

Here's a little more from her site:

The Muslim sister in polygamy suffers much pain and hurt on an on going basis, which presents ample opportunity for her sins to be forgiven.

So life has to be full of pain and hurt or we go to hell? What happened to Allah AR-RAHMÂN (The Most Compassionate, The Beneficent The Gracious) AR-RAHÎM (The Merciful)? Did he go somewhere, or he's just not as merciful or compassionate as Muslims claim him to be?

Just something to think about before bed...

Imam speaking at my Unitarian Church

2007-04-03T19:11:00.000-04:00

I was looking at the calender for the Unitarian church I go to today, and I noticed that in a week and a half a local Imam (leader of a mosque) is going to speak there. That'll be interesting. Don't worry, I won't boo him or throw food at him. Not in the church anyway lol

I have nothing against Muslims. I will welcome what he has to say to the group. Hopefully he won't get all preachy at me, saying I shouldn't have left Islam, or that you can't leave it (I'm sure he won't say the latter with non-Muslim around anyway). If he asks why I left I'll tell him the truth: the rituals got empty for me, and then I finally started questioning things I should have questioned earlier but had just accepted. It is a misogynistic religion, and I won't stay in a religion that treats women like children that don't have a brain. I won't raise my kids in that.

Schools drop Holocaust lessons so they won't "offend"

2007-04-03T09:22:00.000-04:00

Schools have avoided teaching the Holocaust and the Crusades in history lessons because they are concerned about causing offense to Muslim pupils or challenging "charged" versions of history which children have been taught at home, government research has found.

Oh this is smart. Let them keep thinking the stupid things they are taught at home, instead of teaching them the facts. Why do we teach them anything? Let's just let them learn everything at home. That would be such a smart generation. NOT! History is about facts. What happened. You can't change the facts, no matter what your opinion is. We will end up teaching nothing because someone don't agree with anything. Why are we afraid of offending someone? Can't do anything for fear it will offend. Well just deal with it. If you are offended by your child learning the real facts, then go put them in a private school that will teach what you agree with, instead of what actually happened.

Edited to add another link with more information:

UK Teachers Drop the Holocaust to Appease Muslims

First part of the article:

Schools are dropping the Holocaust from history lessons to avoid offending Muslim pupils, a government-backed study has revealed.
It found some teachers are reluctant to cover the atrocity for fear of upsetting students whose beliefs include Holocaust denial.
There is also resistance to tackling the 11th century Crusades - where Christians fought Muslim armies for control of Jerusalem - because lessons often contradict what is taught in local mosques.

Conclusion of the report:

The report concluded: "In particular settings, teachers of history are unwilling to challenge highly contentious or charged versions of history in which pupils are steeped at home, in their community or in a place of worship."

This is probably why there will be more Holocaust denial among the generation growing up. If they study it, they would see just now atrocious it was. Let's just avoid it so we can keep denying it, shall we?!?

But we mustn't offend the Muslims or Christians, DOYC forbid!

A., who is an equal opportunity offender. She offends everyone lol.

About me (short version)

2007-04-02T09:51:00.000-04:00

I'm an Agnostic Unitarian, former Muslim, who is a single mom of 3 in the Midwest. I made this blog so I can put my opinions about what happens in the world. Some of it is by Muslims, some is against Muslims. I don't hate Muslims, but I do disagree with some of what they believe and what they do, and I speak out about it when I can. I don't believe Muslims should be discriminated against, however, and I speak out about that too

Why do Muslims react with violence?

2007-04-02T09:48:00.000-04:00

Yesterday I was wondering why Muslims always seem to react with violence towards things they don't agree with or they view as against Islam. Obviously it's not always, but sometimes it seems like there's never a time when Muslims aren't reacting violently towards non-muslims (or even other muslims) in protest of something. The cartoons are a recent example.

In the US, we speak out, boycot stores/companies, picket the company/store, go on strike if we think we are not getting a fair deal on our job, have people sign petitions, or write letters to the president, congressman, or the editor of the newspaper to publically show our views. Why can't they do this?

Then I realized something: they can't do this in their native countries! In most majority muslim countries (or even those that have a large minority), they can't speak their mind. Well ok, technically they can, but then they would be taken to jail for years, tortured, and maybe "disappear". To them it's "can't", because they are trying to raise their family and stay alive.

We take for granted in the United States and other Western countries our ability to say what we think, even about our president or our religion. There is a limitation about what you can say, however. If you are threatening the life of the president or someone else, you probably will be arrested. The secret service (who protects the president) investigates people who send letters that could be viewed as threatening or violent. But if you don't agree with him and want to tell him so, feel free to do so (or even write about it on your blog!)

This past weekend my dad was pissed about why the "fucking muslims" (his words) didn't speak up about the terrorism and violence the minority are doing. I didn't give my opinion, because he doesn't listen to it or even think that maybe I might know more than him about anything. Even though I lived among and with Muslims for 12 years, of course I can't know more than him about them since he has more life experience than I do. What he knowsabout them he reads in the media. Of course they are unbaised, riiiight.

His ranting is what made me wonder about it. I think it is a valid point. Then I came to this conclusion. I am not trying to excuse them, but I think fear of your life/liberty is possibly the reason why many of the ones who object to it don't speak out. You might say yes, for those living in a "muslim country of your choice", but what about the ones who have immigrated to a "western country of your choice"? They don't have to worry about that. I don't think you can get rid of the fear of reprisals when you are raised in that atmosphere. They may be afraid of reprisals of their family/friends back in their country, or they may just not be used to speaking out against what other muslims do. They also may be speaking out in their homes/mosques, but don't want to be seen speaking out in public (again because that is not what they are used to having the freedom to do, or because of reprisals).

I don't hate Arabs/Muslims. I speak out when they are discriminated against (just view my blog to see that). I also am critical of them, esp. when I see an example of how they treat women. I know that the majority of them are peaceful and don't hate westerners, and would never commit a terrorist act. I lived with/among them for many years, and most of them are just trying to do all the things you are supposed to do so they can go to heaven. They do have an incorrect view of westerners from what they have seen in the media in their countries, but then again, Where do you think Westerners get their view of Muslims? Most from the media, unless they work with/live next to or know any Muslims very well.

A., just my thoughts on the subject.

Yusef Islam, building bridges between Eastern and Western cultures? NOT!

2007-03-31T12:00:00.000-04:00

Yusef Islam Ignores Bare-headed Women

Muslim singer YUSUF ISLAM reportedly refused to speak with the female guides at a German event over the weekend (24-25MAR07) because they weren't veiled - despite accepting an honour for building bridges between Eastern and Western cultures.

Hmm, how how can you bridge bridges to people you don't speak with because they are different from you? Sign language, maybe?

This is idiocy to treat others as if they are not good enough to speak with because they are not covered. Do you expect everyone to become a Muslim, or cover because you are uncomfortable with seeing their bare head? Isn't building bridges about getting along with people of different cultures, not alienating them? Did you forget that you grew up in the "Western" culture? If Muslims had treated you like that, I'm sure you would not have converted. Let's hope not, at least.

Conversion: the double standard among Muslims

2007-03-31T11:40:00.000-04:00

Conversion: the double standard among Muslims

This is an interesting blog post about why Muslims don't like it when other Muslims leave Islam. Muslims rejoice when others "join the club" (convert to Islam), but leaving Islam is a big no-no. I guess they forgot to tell us that it's a one-way club: You can get in but you can't get out!

When I was a Muslim, some born-Muslims seemed in awe of me changing my religion. Later I realized it's because they are brainwashed into never even thinking of leaving Islam, no matter what. It's psychological abuse, plain and simple (leaving out the threats of death and bodily harm). I don't live around Muslims like I did in New Jersey, and I don't have to worry about my life, but plenty of former Muslims do. Even if I still lived in New Jersey I would be careful but not afraid. If I meet a Muslim, I would not be scared to tell them I'm a former Muslim. My name and my kid's names kind of give that away. I am not trying to drag all Muslims away from the religion, but it wasn't right for me, and I don't want to raise my kids, esp. my daughter, in such a misogynist religion.

The worth of a woman: The Quran vs. the Bible

2007-03-31T10:27:00.000-04:00

The worth of a woman: The Quran vs. the Bible

This is an interesting post for both Muslims and Christians. Their books agree on something (maybe the only thing). Both our books are misogynistic.

Definitely worth reading. A small taste of it:

"Take the worth of a woman, for example. They go at it from slightly different angles, but come up with the same answer. A woman is worth about half as much as a man."

Half as much? Women do twice (or more!) the work as men, esp. if they work outside the home and have kids.

New Translation Prompts Debate on Islamic Verse

2007-03-30T22:41:00.000-04:00

New Translation Prompts Debate on Islamic Verse

Anyone who has heard of the Quran knows what verse she had an "inspiration" about. Even after over a thousand years of people who studied the Quran for decades and whose native language was Arabic (hers wasn't), it took an Iranian-American to discover that the Quran doesn't say to beat your wife. Yes we Americans know everything, don't ya know? (said with voice dripping with sarcasm).

"I decided it either has to have a different meaning, or I can’t keep translating,' said Ms. Bakhtiar, an Iranian-American who adopted her father’s Islamic faith as an adult and had not dwelled on the verse before."

And magically she found a different meaning, what a coincidence. Everyone keeps trying to say it doesn't say to beat your wife. Ok, so only tap or scourge her? If you look up scourge in a dictionary, one meaning is: "to punish, chastise, or criticize severely.". Hmm why would you do that to an adult?

"There are at least 20 English translations of the Koran. “Daraba” has been translated as beat, hit, strike, scourge, chastise, flog, make an example of, spank, pet, tap and even seduce."

Seduce? I don't think I've read that Quran.

"The verse 4:34, with its three-step program, is often called a reform over the violent practices of seventh century Arabia, when the Koran was revealed. The verse was not a license for battery, scholars say, with other interpretations defining the heaviest instrument a man might employ as a twig commonly used as a toothbrush."

Well that's still hitting, in case you didn't realize it! And where does it say a twig? They are just trying to make excuse it and make it palatable to the West. When will these men realize that women are ADULTS, not children that need punishment or a time-out? Hitting is hitting. Full stop.

“The whole idea is not to punish her,” said Ingrid Mattson, an expert in early Islamic history at the Hartford Seminary and the first woman to be president of the Islamic Society of North America. “It is like a fear of sexual impropriety, that the husband takes these steps to try to bring their relationship to where it is supposed to be. I think it is a physical gesture of displeasure.”

And what about if she fears sexual impropriety on the part of the man? Are woman the only ones who do that? I think not, or else women would be doing them only with other women.

I just cannot stand the gender-bias in Islam. And that is what it is. Women are treated like children because we don't have an extra appendage. Hello, we have brains! (Which men might notice if they stopped looking at our butt or our chest).

Le Sigh. I really, really don't want my daughter to be treated like this. I hope to DOYC (Deity of your choice) that her dad doesn't try to get her to marry a Muslim.

About me and My thoughts on Islam

2007-03-30T17:32:00.000-04:00

I had these posts on another blog, but decided to make keep that blog personal, and make this blog for more serious posts.

This is my intro post: About me and how I left Islam, and my feelings about it.

I became Muslim in 1992, after reading about it for over a year. After being married to several Muslim men and living in a Muslim country (Jordan), I have come to realize that this isn't something I want in my life or that I want to raise my kids in.

On paper Islam, like many things (communism for example), sounds great. One of the things I liked about it when I was reading about was the rights of women in Islam. They have their own identity; keep their own family name when they get married, keep any money they earn, inherit, etc; can choose who to marry and can initiate a divorce, and on and on.

However, in practice I have realized that men are the ones controlling the rights the women get. Most mosques you go to in the US won't give a Muslim women an Islamic divorce, even if the guy abandoned her or is a wife-beater, until they talk to him and he agrees. Many Muslims believe a woman has to ask her husband's permission to go out of the house. That is not in the Quran at all. They treat women like they are children and too stupid to do anything themselves. In most Muslim countries the woman can't get a divorce if the guy doesn't want one, even if he has another wife. In Egypt if the guy has another wife you can get one, thanks to Jihan's law. Also in Egypt the woman CAN get divorce, but she has to give up all rights to support.

In Islam the woman is respected for bearing the children and taking care of them. But in reality, women are the ones doing all the work with no recognition by the men, and if they divorce the man gets the kids. He's not going to be the one taking care of them. They will be stuck with his mom or sister, or his wife, the latter usually doesn't treat them as her own (blood is thicker than water kind of thing).

So in reality things are not what they seem to be. Yes Islam gave women rights in the 8th century that were unheard of until the late 19th century in many "civilized" countries. But...now they are stuck in the 8th century as far as the rights the women actually HAVE. I don't want to live that way, or my daughter to be raised thinking she is not as good as a boy or man just because she is female. She shouldn't be ruled over by men. I want her to grow up to be independent and be her own person and make her own decisions. That is how I was raised. Yes I choose to be in Islam, but I have chosen to leave it. They have the right to choose what they want for their lives.

The Quran also has some things that are disturbing to me, such as the verse that says you can beat your wife (Quran 4:34). No matter what Muslim apologists say, that is what it says. They usually put (lightly) in there but that's not what the verse says, that is added in the translation to placate non-muslims. Muslims try to counter that in many ways, but it's there in black and white. Do I want to be in a religion that says that, or have my daughter be married to someone who may think he can hit her if he thinks she is disobeying him?

Muhammad's hadith (sayings and doings of the prophet) also said that he Prophet said, "Isn't the witness of a women equal to half that of a man?" The women said "yes". He said "This is because of the deficiency of the women's mind." (Sahih al-Bukhari, volume 3, hadith 826). Well sorry but women are as smart as and in many cases smarter than men! No way I want my daughter growing up believing that, or marrying someone who believes that. When I became Muslim I think I was looking for a community where I could belong, and just looked past things like this or accepted things that Muslims say to "explain this" like that men and women have different roles in life and society, separate but equal kind of thing. NOT! Men and women are different physically and mentally, but that doesn't mean that men are smarter than women or they should be able to tell them what to do or what not to do like they are children.

There are other things that bother me about Islam as well. One is that it is very PC to say that Islam is not a violent religion. But in reality there is a lot of violence in the Quran. The religion was spread by the sword by Muhammad and later generations. It didn't spread slowly by Muslims going to the countries and living there, they took over the countries, killed people, took slaves.

There is a lot of violence in Muslim and Western countries over the infamous cartoons. I don't like them, but being raised in a country based on free speech, I can't take away someone's right to their free speech. Here in the US we make fun of everybody: in cartoons in the newspaper, stand-up comics, late night talk shows. You can make fun of the President, politicians, practically anyone and everyone are targets at one time or another, including religions. Even though I don't like them, and I don't think the newspaper should have printed something that can be viewed as racist, why do they have to be violent about it? There's no excuse for that. To me it's just another example of Muslims being violent and making excuses for it.

Now at their father's house it is a TOTALLY different story! He doesn't think they have a choice. He married a young woman from Egypt about 4 years ago, and they are very "cultural" at his house. They tell my daughter that she will go to hell if she wears skorts (shorts that look like a skirt) or doesn't wear a scarf. He told my son that you can't marry a non-Muslim or you go to hell, but HELLO, did he forget? HE was married to a non-Muslim! What a hypocrite! When my son brought up that little "forgotten" fact he didn't answer of course. Do as I say not as I do! He tells them not to lie, but he lies in court under oath.

Everything here is my own opinion. If you don't like my view, you are certainly entitled to your own opinion and your own blog. This is my view on a religion I was involved in for 12 years, and that I choose to leave. If it's right for someone else, then more power to them, but it's not right for me, and I will not raise my children in it.

Wife’s petition to leave hubby is rejected

2006-12-26T16:00:00.000-05:00

Wife’s petition to leave hubby is rejected

ABU DHABI — The Federal Supreme Court has ordered a woman not to leave her husband and travel abroad without his permission.

Court records show a woman filed a lawsuit at the Abu Dhabi Shariah Court of First Instance seeking divorce and the payment of her deferred dowry. She alleged that her husband assaulted her.

The husband filed a counter suit, requesting the court to ask his wife not to leave his house or travel abroad without his permission. He also wanted to keep her passport and other official documents in his possession.

The Abu Dhabi Shariah Court of First Instance dismissed the wife’s petition and ordered her not to leave her husband and travel abroad without his permission.

The wife contested the verdict at the Abu Dhabi Shariah Court of Appeal, which ruled in her favour.

The husband approached the Federal Supreme Court, contending that the previous ruling should be declared null and void since it was based on his wife’s claims, which she failed to substantiate with evidence.

The court rejected his wife’s plea and ordered her to live with her husband and asked her not to travel abroad without his permission. The court said the woman failed to prove that her allegations were true.

This is a VERY idiotic way of treating women. We're just property to keep under lock and key, unless the court (staffed by men judges, I am sure) says otherwise? Umm, short answer: NO! Long answer: Hell No! And what chance is there of that? Probably very small. Just one of the many reasons I left Islam.

A., who doesn't let any man tell her what to do and is proud of it!

Little Mosque on the Prairie

2006-12-24T16:56:00.000-05:00

Little Mosque on the Prairie From the NY times article:

“Little Mosque on the Prairie” ventures into new and perhaps treacherous terrain: trying to explore the funny side of being a Muslim and adapting to life in post 9/11 North America. Its creators admit to uneasiness as to whether Canadians and Americans can laugh about the daily travails of those who many consider a looming menace.
“Little Mosque” is the brainchild of Zarqa Nawaz, a Canadian Muslim of Pakistani origin whose own assimilation, particularly after she left Toronto for Regina, Saskatchewan, 10 years ago, provides much of the comic fodder.
This is a very interesting concept of a show, with the idea of it by a Muslim. I wish they would have one like that here. Maybe they will show it here, or we can get it on dvd. I would watch it. It even has some humor * gasp, Muslims have a sense of humor? Who'd a thunk it?
The struggle over what constitutes modest dress is central to the show. When a Muslim girl flounces into her immigrant father’s presence with her navel showing, he recoils in horror, saying, “You look like a Protestant.”
She counters, “Dad, you mean a prostitute?”
He responds, “No, I meant a Protestant.”

Now don't you all dress like Protestants. Because we all know how Protestants dress, now don't we? (yes I was kidding, hear the sarcasm there?)

A., who never dresses like one ;)

You Might Already be a Unitarian Universalist

2006-11-30T17:02:00.000-05:00

If you...

* Believe that every person is important and valuable.

* Feel there is a spiritual value in all the world's religions and philosophies.

* Find inspiration in the wonder of nature and the mystery of life.

* Want to help build a just society and peaceful world.

* Believe we should think for ourselves in our search for meaning.

You might already be a Unitarian Universalist.

This is from a pamphlet I got at church this past Sunday. This kind of thinking is what attracted me to the Unitarian Universalist Church. They let you be smart enough to decide what you believe, not just tell you to believe this or that or you're going to hell. I was in 2 religions that did that. Some UU's don't believe in God, some do. No one is there to tell anyone what to believe. The church I've been going to has a pretty small congregation. There is none in my town, this one is about 20 minutes from me, and there's another one 20 minutes in the other direction in a larger town.

I think that this is from the www.UU.org web site:

"With its historical roots in the Jewish and Christian traditions, Unitarian Universalism is a liberal religion -- that is, a religion that keeps an open mind to the religious questions people have struggled with in all times and places. We believe that personal experience, conscience and reason should be the final authorities in religion, and that in the end religious authority lies not in a book or person or institution, but in ourselves. We are a "non-creedal" religion: we do not ask anyone to subscribe to a creed."

Most churchs or religions don't want you to question things very much, or at least not question what THEY say is right. You have to have "faith", even if things don't make sense. But you can't stop thinking when you are living your life. I am a questioner. I did go a long time in believing in Islam without questioning it, which was a mistake. Sometimes it's hard to question things and admit that you were wrong about what you thought, though. Whatever someone else wants to believe, that's great for them, but don't come to my house trying to convert me. That's why I have an attack cat *grin.

6 Imams Removed from US Airways Flight

2006-11-22T17:06:00.000-05:00

6 Imams Removed from US Airways Flight

Not only were they removed from the flight, US Airways would not let them on a later plane! They need to be sued but good, and boycotted. We cannot permit this kind of discrimination.

And this is a load of bull:

"We are always concerned when passengers are inconvenienced and especially concerned when a situation occurs that causes customers to feel their dignity was compromised. We do not tolerate discrimination of any kind," the airline said.

Tolerate it? Umm, You did it!

I hate it when a company feels like they can treat people this way. Who do they think they are, the government? Sadly, that should be funny but it's not. The government wants to do a lot of things that are against the constitution, like be able to hold someone indefiniately, and torture terror suspects. Did we move to a country while I was sleeping where things like this allowed? Bushville, perhaps?

Well I, for one, will not use US Airways. Not that that is going to hurt them, I rarely fly. But anyone else who reads this, do not fly an airline that treats people this way.

Let's boycot US Airways. Hit them where it hurts, in the wallet. Maybe then they will change how they treat people. Or, there's always Bankruptcy Court *Grin.

I am not willing to give up my constitutional freedoms just because I have nothing to hide. A.

As barrier comes down, a Muslim split remains

2006-06-25T17:11:00.000-04:00

As barrier comes down, a Muslim split remains "The Islamic Society of San Francisco took the controversial step of tearing down the barrier separating male and female worshippers."

Read the full story at the link above. In many mosques there is a barrier between where men and women pray, or even a separate room (usually a much smaller room, sometimes in a balcony where it can be hot and stuffy). The women in this mosque wanted to hear the sermons better and be able to follow the prayer. Now there is a controvery about not having the barrier during prayer. The men say they don't want distractions during prayer. Well instead of putting the women behind a wall, maybe they should take responsiblity for how they act around women. It's not hard to be a gentleman and not stare at women when they are not seen or heard. Do they think women are going to be flirting with them or something? The women are fully clothed, plus covering at least their hair, if not their face.

Since the Saudi's began having oil money to build or support mosques in the US, the mosques are more and more segregated, since this is what they insist on if it's their money funding it or supporting it. Women don't have much of a say in the Muslim community, the men are in charge of pretty much everything. Women need to have a voice, they should not just be not seen and not heard.

Jordanian women face an unequal fight for equal rights

2006-06-10T17:13:00.000-04:00

Jordanian women face an unequal fight for equal rights

This an interesting article. I lived in Amman, Jordan for about 1 1/2 years (from January 1999-May 2000). The more religious people seem to get, the less rights women seem to have, le sigh. I'm very glad I am not raising my kids in any Muslim country. With all the problems the US has, you still have the right to practice your religion of choice, or not to follow any religion.

A couple of excerpts from the article:

24/03/2006: During the past 10 years, there have been attempts to amend laws related to the rights of women in order to enhance their status and social and economic role, and protect them from violations and violence, including what are known as "honor crimes." (The Daily Star Lebanon).
Yet these efforts have shown very limited progress, meeting strong resistance from traditional and religious actors who control the Jordanian Parliament and impose their cultural and behavioral practices upon wide sectors of Jordanian society. These campaigns have also encountered political obstacles that can be traced in part to Jordan's demographic structure.
Continuous efforts by Jordanian women's organizations, supported by human rights activists and the Jordanian political leadership, have produced some amendments to marriage and divorce laws. The legal minimum age for the marriage of girls was raised to 18 years, and women obtained the right of divorce, or kholu, by which they could start divorce procedures based on certain conditions such as restitution of all dowry money.
During the past few years, several attempts to amend Article 340 of the Penal Code have failed. This article sometimes provides a "lawful" excuse for criminals who assault women or murder them to protect "family honor." The murderer in an honor crime, usually one of the victim's closest relatives, receives a commuted sentence or several months' imprisonment. The result is that 15-25 women continue to be murdered annually in Jordan. Despite civil and religious campaigns against such crimes, Jordanian society, yielding to traditional and religious influence, continues to sympathize with honor crime murderers and finds excuses and justifications for their act.
There can be no doubt that the spread of Islam in Jordanian society over the past two or three decades has contributed to the formation of a sociopolitical front opposing legislative initiatives by Jordanian civil society and its active women's organizations. The Muslim Brotherhood has grown stronger and has come to control a large number of active non-governmental organizations, such as professional unions and student councils. Its infrastructure of educational, service, cultural and other social institutions extends to cover a broad section of society, including those people living in the poorest areas.

Women in Islam Verses Women in the Judaeo-Christian Tradition

2006-06-03T17:22:00.000-04:00

I just read this article today: WOMEN IN ISLAM VERSUS WOMEN IN THE JUDAEO-CHRISTIAN TRADITION: THE MYTH & THE REALITY, by Dr. Sherif Abdel Azeem.

In it they are trying compare what is in the Quran with what is in the Bible, mostly the Old Testament, to show that Islam is superior. One problem with that is that the Old Testament was written hundreds or thousands of years before Jesus. Some authors of some books of the bible are unclear or even unknown. Secondly, comparing something that is taken literally with laws in many countries based on it (the Qur'an) and something that is not taken as literally and doesn't have law based on it (the Bible) does not make sense to me. The verses they bring up in the Bible are not used as the basis for law. It's like comparing the laws from over 2000 years ago to the laws now.

Women allegedly have many rights in Islam, but...

"A woman in the Quranic conception has the right to argue even with the Prophet of Islam himself. No one has the right to instruct her to be silent. She is under no obligation to consider her husband the one and only reference in matters of law and religion."

Ok, now this just doesn't happen! Women did argue with the prophet, but try that now and see just what happens. Who are the ones interpreting the Quran and Hadith? Sheiks (Muslim scholars), who are men. Who are the ones making the laws? Mostly Men! Who is in charge of implementing the laws? Men again! Women are not involved in most stages of interpreting or implementing laws in Muslim countries. Yes there are women in Parliaments and other government in Muslim countries, but the ones establish laws that deal with the way of life, esp. anything mentioned by the Qur'an or Hadith (esp. family law), are the Skeihs, the religious leaders or Muslim scholars; who are, you guessed it: men.

Some of the laws in the Qur'an or Islam are out dated. One example is the woman getting half the inheritance of the man. In times when the family would take care of the woman even if her husband died, she didn't need the money, but now, especially in western countries, she will be on her own if he dies or leaves her. Another is the woman's testimony being equal to half of a man's. Women back in the 7th century may not have known much about life or been out in the real world, but that is not the case now. Just because I am a woman doesn't mean that I have a worse memory than a man does.

Many of the rights given to them by Islam are not given to them in reality. For instance, in many Muslim countries (as well as in many mosques in the US) the woman doesn't have the right to get a divorce if she wants to, only if her husband agrees. The article even admits it. They seem to hem and haw about it though:

"The one question all the non-Muslims, who had read an earlier version of this study, had in common was: do Muslim women in the Muslim world today receive this noble treatment described here? The answer, unfortunately, is: No. Since this question is inevitable in any discussion concerning the status of women in Islam, we have to elaborate on the answer in order to provide the reader with the complete picture.

They do admit however:

"Almost all Muslim societies have, to one degree or another, deviated from the ideals of Islam with respect to the status of women. These deviations have, for the most part, been in one of two opposite directions. The first direction is more conservative, restrictive, and traditions-oriented, while the second is more liberal and Western-oriented."

However, they absolve Islam of the blame for it:

"The societies that have digressed in the first direction treat women according to the customs and traditions inherited from their forebears. These traditions usually deprive women of many rights granted to them by Islam. Besides, women are treated according to standards far different from those applied to men. This discrimination pervades the life of any female: she is received with less joy at birth than a boy; she is less likely to go to school; she might be deprived any share of her family's inheritance; she is under continuous surveillance in order not to behave immodestly while her brother's immodest acts are tolerated; she might even be killed for committing what her male family members usually boast of doing; she has very little say in family affairs or community interests; she might not have full control over her property and her marriage gifts; and finally as a mother she herself would prefer to produce boys so that she can attain a higher status in her community."

The other societies they blame the Western influence for being too modern:

"On the other hand, there are Muslim societies (or certain classes within some societies) that have been swept over by the Western culture and way of life."

Things are not always as they appear to be, in any religion. Just my thoughts tonight. A.