Saudi Women Defend Veil

An article in the post sheds light on a large group of Saudi women who are defending the use of the veil within Islam. Many are activists and scholars.

Its encouraging to see active, intelligent, Muslim women who are into their religion, instead of the anti-Muslim Westerners and whiney ex-muslims who consistently trash it and are paraded around in the media as if the speak for the majority of "oppressed" Muslim women (Hirsan Ali, Manji).

That being said, I think Islam in Saudi Arabia is a little off the mark. It doesn't make sense preventing women from driving, for example. Also, despite views to the contrary by many Muslim scholars, there is no compelling argument that the niqab (face-covering) is compulsory. But hey, if a woman wants to wear one that's fine, it's up to her.

In the West, women can wear what they want, even if its almost nothing. This rules goes except if you're a Muslim in France or Turkey, in which case wearing a headscarf is considered an offence to the secular state. There is something wrong here.

In any case, Islam is about finding the middle way, the right path. Sisters, if you're going for your driver's license, have a little common sense and remove your niqab before they snap your picture. Brothers in the Kingdom of Saud, its time to allow foreign muslims to marry your beautiful and intellectually stimulating women. Fellow westerners, let Muslim women wear their hijab to school, for God's sake.

Freedom of Speech?

A little more Western hypocrisy for you to digest:

One of France's most popular rappers will appear in court today charged with offending public decency with a song in which he referred to France as a "slut" and vowed to "piss" on Napoleon and Charles de Gaulle. Monsieur R, whose real name is Richard Makela, could face three years in prison or a €75,000 (£51,000) fine after an MP from the ruling UMP party launched legal action against him over his album Politikment Incorrekt.

I thought there was freedom of speech in France? I suppose you are only allowed to speak freely when insulting Muslims. Insulting France, that's another story...

Afghan Riot A Turning Point?

If the Soviet, British, and Macedonian invasions of Afghanistan are any guide, sooner or later Afghans always rise up against their occupiers. In the 80's, the mujaheddin didn't really start fighting until 5 years after the USSR had captured Kabul and installed a puppet regime.

Now, after friction caused by the Abdul Rahman case, and a resurgence of the Taliban fighters in the eastern and southern provinces, news of a riot in Kabul echo past conflicts.

Is this a turning point in the war, or is it just part of the status quo? Only God knows.

Afghanistan

Sectarianism Killing Iraq

The news from Iraq is becoming worse every day. Young men are being killed for being named Omar, or for wearing shorts. Sunnis are pitched against shiites and no one seems to be able to stop the killing. What is the cause of this fitnah?

[6:159] Those who divide themselves into sects do not belong with
you. Their judgment rests with GOD, then He will inform
them of everything they had done.

[30:32] (Do not fall in idol worship,) like those who divide
their religion into sects; each party rejoicing with what they have.

[42:14] Ironically, they broke up into sects only after the
knowledge had come to them, due to jealousy and
resentment among themselves. If it were not for a
predetermined decision from your Lord to respite them for
a definite interim, they would have been judged
immediately. Indeed, the later generations who inherited
the scripture are full of doubts.

Meanwhile, marines in Haditha are killing women and children.

Iraq

Deadly Earthquake in Indonesia

Pray for the victims of this terrible tragedy in Indonesia.

The Muslim community has been very stingy when dealing with these types of tragedies (Tsunami, Kashmir quake). Its time for rich Arab Shaikh's who stash money in Swiss banks to commit to helping the poor and unfortunate as required by Islam.

Indonesia
Earthquake

Iran Badge Story False: Western Spin Factory Strikes Again

The story about a new law in Iran requiring Jews to wear identifying badges a la Nazi Germany have turned out to be false. Media critic Antonia Zerbisias has the scoop.

After making it as frontpage news on Canada's conservative National Post the paper deleted the story from its website and posted a slimey retraction/information piece.

It appears the anti-Muslim feeding frenzy continues, fed by supposedly legitimate Western news sources generating a (un)healthy supply of dangerous propaganda. Despite the Iraq WMD debacle and the scandal of former NYTimes reporter Judith Miller, the media has either not learned from past mistakes or are actively continuing to perpetrate an insidious campaign to misrepresent Muslims and Islam.

Iran

Afghans Can't Get Asylum, Threaten Suicide

Seemingly legitimate asylum seekers from backward, war-torn, Islamic afghanistan are being denied asylum in Ireland and are threatening suicide.

Maybe they should take Ayaan Hirsi Ali's example and lie about their origins. Perhaps they can say that they are Christians who were forced into male circumcision or someother tearjerking story that plays well with the anti-Islamists.

If they denounce Islam, they could probably become internationally acclaimed intellectuals and even be elected to the Irish parliament. Of course, being Muslim, they probably are loath to lie.

I pray that their situation improves.

Ayaan Hirsi Ali

What goes around comes around, so they say. Call it karma, call it ironic, call it Qadr, but whatever you call it, but news that notorious apparently Somali-born former Dutch MP and slanderer of Islam has been sent packing by her fellow Dutchmen has definitely caused quite a stir.

The vehemently anti-Islamic blogosphere has seized on the case as an example of Europe's surrender to "Islamism" and its meek acceptance of the dreaded "dhimmitude" status of its people. The misguided opinion-shapers leading the charge against Islam has tried to portray Hirsi Ali as a brave heroine that had the courage to tell the truth about the "evil" of God's great religion.

The reality is that Ayaan, a publicity seeking polemic, has been exposed as a fraud and a liar. Her pseudo-intellectual sister-in-arms, Irshad Manji, would be well advised to take a break from her incessant heckling of muslims on topics such as "the truth" and call her girl over for a little one-on-one.

Ali's horror story, the one that has conveyed on her such moral authority, that of having been forced into marriage by her backward Somalian family after living through 5 civil wars has been debunked in a recent documentary which showed her family living comfortably in Kenya and denying the apparent forced marriage, suggesting that she was, in fact, present for the wedding in question.

It is clear that the credibility of Ayaan has taken a serious hit from these revelations. How easy could it be for her to falsely accuse Islam, a religion and a people she obviously hates, if it was so easy for her to lie on her refugee claims? To the neoconservative Christians who jump up to defend her, is it not said "thou shalt not bear false witness?"

Not only is she untruthful, but seemingly hypocritical. Herself an immigrant, she became a vocal critic of immigration as a member of the right wing Dutch VVD party. It was, in fact, her own party member, hardline immigration minister Rita Verdonk that called for her passport to be revoked. I suppose principle rarely gets in the way of politics and ambition.

In a way, I feel sorry to see her go out this way, used and betrayed. It is, however, understandable considering that western world, despite claims of freedom, justice, and equality, have a history of systemically exploiting and lynching Africans (Dutch apartheid, European colonialism, American slavery).

Having been dumped by 3/4's of the people of the Netherlands, Ayaan Hirsi Ali (not her real name), plans to spend her time in America at the neoconservative AEI, no doubt leading more unsuspecting lemmings into unwinnable wars and human rights violations. Perhaps she should give her friend Michelle Malkin a call, their shared opposition to illegal immigration notwithstanding, for a little advice, sponsorship, and a spot on the couch.