Missing the point

Let Sharia Law govern women’s lives, Amen!


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Missing the point
by Azar Majedi
18-Feb-2008
 

Perhaps Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury thought his statement about Sharia Law will be received enthusiastically as well-intended and an effort to reduce racial tensions in the society. However, his proposal got him into trouble. He was attacked from right and left. Those who saw their “white Christian culture” under threat asked for his resignation. Women rights activists, secularists and such like attacked him for the negative effects of Sharia Law on human rights, particularly the disastrous effects of such a practice on women in so-called Muslim communities. In response to harsh criticism he tried to qualify his proposal by stating that he did not mean the whole Sharia Law, but in family matters. He has just missed the point.

The status and rights of women in Islam is the Achilles hill of this religion, and I must add, ideology. Misogynism is the trade mark of Islam. The veil is its banner and gender apartheid its main pillar. Moreover, today a very active reactionary political movement has based its ideology on Islam, namely political Islam. Anywhere they gain power they first and foremost victimize women, strip them of all their rights, force them under the veil and segregate them in society. The same movement that laments lack of tolerance for Sharia law in western societies is terrorizing the population in societies under its rule to obey Sharia Law, observe the veil and gender apartheid and punishes the defiant by flogging, cutting their limbs and execution.  

One main reason to oppose Sharia law is the way it treats women. Rowan Williams’ promise that he only means the family code of Sharia law is no comfort to any woman living under the threat of losing her rights, nor to any girl who is frightened by “honor violence,” forced marriage and veiling. In fact it only exposes his ignorance.  

It may be argued that the Archbishop’s intention is to combat racism. Let us examine whether the Archbishop’s proposal is anti-racist. One might argue that he has taken Muslim’s demands and culture into consideration, particularly when Muslims are increasingly being stigmatized. This assumption is false. Historically, the fight against racism has meant fighting for equality not for differentiating; equality before the law and in social, economic and political sphere. Anti-racism has been about integration not segregation. The civil rights movement in America was not about creating a set of different laws for blacks, but treating blacks and whites equally. The essence of long battle against racial apartheid in South Africa was to create one system and one law for all citizens, which treated them equally.  

However, it is not only the Archbishop who espouses this upside-down approach to racial equality. This is a political trend. For this trend the meaning of anti-racism has changed from equality to differentiation, from integration to segregation. We owe this falsification to post modernism, which gave rise to cultural relativism and eventually giving such high socio-political status to the concept of multi culturalism in this deformed interpretation of it.  

Some misled section of the “intelligentsia,” academia and political institutions have played a significant role in defending these concepts as progressive, libertarian, egalitarian and anti-racist. Reactionary political forces, such as political Islam have been the only beneficiaries of this trend. For decades gross violations of human rights in societies under Islam were neglected and even justified by these mal-formulated theories. Only when these brutal practices made an inroad into western societies in the form of terrorism, particularly after September 11, some outcries began to be heard.  

Multiculturalism is racism; cultural relativism is racism; this should be recognized once and for all. By defining different laws for different citizens on the basis of such arbitrary concepts such as culture or religion, we leave the lot of the weakest sections of that so-called “cultural community” to the mercy of the self-imposed leaders of that community. We deprive these weakest sections the protection of the law and society. Women under Islam are down trodden and deprived of any rights. Leaving them under Sharia law will only victimize them further.

There are many fallacies involved in such an approach. One which is seemingly very liberal is the assumption that members of the “Muslim communities” will voluntarily resort to Sharia law. If Muslim women or children had any choice or voice, they would tell the Archbishop, to keep these proposals to himself. The question of choice is non-existent in a hierarchical and deeply male chauvinist community. Allowing Sharia Law to be practiced will cut off the poor voiceless women from any protection and make life much more difficult for the young women who struggle with backward traditions at home.

Giving the Archbishop’s intention the benefit of the doubt is the best case scenario. The other, to my opinion most probable scenario is that he is cunningly trying to strengthen the grip of religion and religious institutions on the society as a whole. By assigning a stronger position to Islam in “Muslim Communities” he is trying to foster the position of the church and Christianity in the wider society. If one accepts the role of Islam and Islamic laws in one community, by the same token, they should accept the role of Christianity and Church of England in the larger community. His defence of Sharia Law is a clever step towards revitalizing the role of Church in the wider society.  

And finally, as a veteran women’s rights activist and one who has suffered first hand under a brutal Islamic state, as an activist who has fought hard against Islam and political Islam for liberty and equality, I am very indignant by Rowan Williams’ proposal. We do not need to establish Sharia law in any form or shape. We need a secular, free society, free from racism, misogynism and inequality. We need to rid the society from religion and religious establishment, be it Muslim, Christian, Judaism or the like. 

Azar majedi founded the Organization for Women’s Liberation - Iran in November 2002, and at present is acting as its chair.


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more from Azar Majedi
 
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Oh My God, Is She for reall???!!

by Tahirih (not verified) on

Mrs Majedi ,I really used to think you are for freedom.But this is what you said;

"" Progressive forces determine what is good, and they send everybody who disagrees either to camps or to mental asylums. Just look at how efficiently Stalin accomplished that (although I do disagree with a few of the things he did).""

So if someone do not agree with you belongs to a camp or mental Hospital!!!!

I am not going to look at your articles the same ,you lost your credibility!!!


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I am not anti-Semitic (Azar Majedi)

by Azer Majedi (not verified) on

I am not anti-Semitic. I advocate the eradication of ALL sub-cultures, and all religions. What we need is to enforce one universal culture. One size fits all. Universal goods *can* and should be imposed upon everyone because they are good.

You might ask, "But who is the judge of what is good? Who determines that? Isn't it subjective?" No, it is not. Progressive forces determine what is good, and they send everybody who disagrees either to camps or to mental asylums. Just look at how efficiently Stalin accomplished that (although I do disagree with a few of the things he did).

Jewish culture is particularly hostile to women, perhaps even more so that Christian and Muslim religions. Judaism is also older than these other religions, which means they want to take women back to even more primitive conditions. That's the problem with all "traditions": they want you to suspend your rational faculties. They are for brainless people. Think for yourselves! Say no to outmoded ways of life.

Azar Majedi


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Apologize? No way. -Azar Majedi

by AMajdi (not verified) on

People say, "Ms. Azar Majedi, you need to apologize for comparing Jews to slave-holders!" The answer they hear: "I hereby apologize to all slave-holders."

Multiculturalism is evil. We don't need minorities with old traditions who want to take us back to the Dark Ages. These people don't have brains.

The Age of Enlightenment has come. Enlightenment means eradicating cultural diversity. Get used to it!

A. M.


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My Mistake: Minority Rights doesn't include Perverts

by Maria Cerankowsk (not verified) on

In my backward family tradition, monogamy is forbidden. Furthermore, in my backward family tradition, equality between the sexes is forbidden. But it is not right for me to force my values on others!

According to liberal thought, alternative lifestyles
are legal as long as they do not include sado-masochism to which I adhere. Yet, liberal-minded
persons like Azar Majedi and Maryam Namazie (who support democracy) want to force their democratic and egalitarian values on all individuals and communities.

We should not *force* everybody to live according to our values. People should have the right to live according to values other than mine.

In my lifetime, I have only heard of three names:
Locke, Smith, and Rawls. Read them as if they are part of the Bible or Koran. Then pass me my pills, because otherwise I might shoot someone!

MC


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My Mistake: Minority Rights doesn't include Perverts

by Maria Cerankowsk (not verified) on

In my backward family tradition, monogamy is forbidden. Furthermore, in my backward family tradition, equality between the sexes is forbidden. But it is not right for me to force my values on others!

According to liberal thought, alternative lifestyles
are legal as long as they do not include sado-masochism to which I adhere. Yet, liberal-minded
persons like Azar Majedi and Maryam Namazie (who support democracy) want to force their democratic and egalitarian values on all individuals and communities.

We should not *force* everybody to live according to our values. People should have the right to live according to values other than mine.

In my lifetime, I have only heard of three names:
Locke, Smith, and Rawls. Read them as if they are part of the Bible or Koran. Then pass me my pills, because otherwise I might shoot someone!

MC


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Liberal Democracy = No

by AnonymousCitizen (not verified) on

Liberal Democracy = No Jewish Fundamentalism of Maria Cerankowski


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Here is an excerpt of

by SickofCerankoski (not verified) on

Here is an excerpt of Strauss (father of Neoconservatives philosophy) Neocon's philosophy:

While professing deep respect for American democracy, Strauss believed that societies should be hierarchical – divided between an elite who should lead, and the masses who should follow. But unlike fellow elitists like Plato, he was less concerned with the moral character of these leaders. According to Shadia Drury, who teaches politics at the University of Calgary, Strauss believed that "those who are fit to rule are those who realize there is no morality and that there is only one natural right – the right of the superior to rule over the inferior."

This dichotomy requires "perpetual deception" between the rulers and the ruled, according to Drury. Robert Locke, another Strauss analyst says,"The people are told what they need to know and no more." While the elite few are capable of absorbing the absence of any moral truth, Strauss thought, the masses could not cope. If exposed to the absence of absolute truth, they would quickly fall into nihilism or anarchy, according to Drury, author of 'Leo Strauss and the American Right' (St. Martin's 1999).

Second Principle: Power of Religion

According to Drury, Strauss had a "huge contempt" for secular democracy. Nazism, he believed, was a nihilistic reaction to the irreligious and liberal nature of the Weimar Republic. Among other neoconservatives, Irving Kristol has long argued for a much greater role for religion in the public sphere, even suggesting that the Founding Fathers of the American Republic made a major mistake by insisting on the separation of church and state. And why? Because Strauss viewed religion as absolutely essential in order to impose moral law on the masses who otherwise would be out of control.

At the same time, he stressed that religion was for the masses alone; the rulers need not be bound by it. Indeed, it would be absurd if they were, since the truths proclaimed by religion were "a pious fraud." As Ronald Bailey, science correspondent for Reason magazine points out, "Neoconservatives are pro-religion even though they themselves may not be believers."

Secular society in their view is the worst possible thing,'' Drury says, because it leads to individualism, liberalism, and relativism, precisely those traits that may promote dissent that in turn could dangerously weaken society's ability to cope with external threats. Bailey argues that it is this firm belief in the political utility of religion as an "opiate of the masses" that helps explain why secular Jews like Kristol in 'Commentary' magazine and other neoconservative journals have allied themselves with the Christian Right and even taken on Darwin's theory of evolution.

//chalabigate.blogspot.com/2003/05/leo-straus...

There are more reference do a google search of your own.


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Here is an excerpt of

by SickofCerankoski (not verified) on

Here is an excerpt of Strauss (father of Neoconservatives philosophy) Neocon's philosophy:

While professing deep respect for American democracy, Strauss believed that societies should be hierarchical – divided between an elite who should lead, and the masses who should follow. But unlike fellow elitists like Plato, he was less concerned with the moral character of these leaders. According to Shadia Drury, who teaches politics at the University of Calgary, Strauss believed that "those who are fit to rule are those who realize there is no morality and that there is only one natural right – the right of the superior to rule over the inferior."

This dichotomy requires "perpetual deception" between the rulers and the ruled, according to Drury. Robert Locke, another Strauss analyst says,"The people are told what they need to know and no more." While the elite few are capable of absorbing the absence of any moral truth, Strauss thought, the masses could not cope. If exposed to the absence of absolute truth, they would quickly fall into nihilism or anarchy, according to Drury, author of 'Leo Strauss and the American Right' (St. Martin's 1999).

Second Principle: Power of Religion

According to Drury, Strauss had a "huge contempt" for secular democracy. Nazism, he believed, was a nihilistic reaction to the irreligious and liberal nature of the Weimar Republic. Among other neoconservatives, Irving Kristol has long argued for a much greater role for religion in the public sphere, even suggesting that the Founding Fathers of the American Republic made a major mistake by insisting on the separation of church and state. And why? Because Strauss viewed religion as absolutely essential in order to impose moral law on the masses who otherwise would be out of control.

At the same time, he stressed that religion was for the masses alone; the rulers need not be bound by it. Indeed, it would be absurd if they were, since the truths proclaimed by religion were "a pious fraud." As Ronald Bailey, science correspondent for Reason magazine points out, "Neoconservatives are pro-religion even though they themselves may not be believers."

Secular society in their view is the worst possible thing,'' Drury says, because it leads to individualism, liberalism, and relativism, precisely those traits that may promote dissent that in turn could dangerously weaken society's ability to cope with external threats. Bailey argues that it is this firm belief in the political utility of religion as an "opiate of the masses" that helps explain why secular Jews like Kristol in 'Commentary' magazine and other neoconservative journals have allied themselves with the Christian Right and even taken on Darwin's theory of evolution.

//chalabigate.blogspot.com/2003/05/leo-straus...

There are more reference do a google search of your own.


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M. Cerankowski : You're a

by SickofCerankoski (not verified) on

M. Cerankowski : You're a neocon. The neocon philosophy renounces the 'Seperation of Church and State' because they want the masses to stay ignorant and maleable by ignorance and backwardness promoted by the clergies. We are on to you.

Google 'Neocon philosophy' by Struass.


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Minority Rights are part and parcel of Liberal Democracy

by M. Cerankowski (not verified) on

Should we impose our values on minorities? Should the government tell us how to behave in the bedroom as consenting adults? In my tradition, polygamy and polyandry are forbidden. Furthermore, in my tradition, same-sex marriage is forbidden. But it is not right for me to force my values on others!

According to liberal thought, alternative lifestyles ought to be legal as long as they are consensual and do not cause public harm. Yet, totalitarian persons like Azar Majedi and Maryam Namazie want to force their values on all individuals and communities. But then again, Azar Majedi and Maryam Namazie support communism and Stalinism, and are also on record with anti-Semitic statements.

We should not *force* everybody to live according to our values. People should have the right to live according to values other than mine, or values different from that of majority (though within the limits prescribed by liberal philosophy as described by Locke, Smith, and Rawls).

MC


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Let's Support Azar Majedi and Maryam Namazie

by Kafka (not verified) on

Maria Cerankowski does not have a mind, but a tradition. She is a follower. She cannot think by herself. Well, Iranian women are very indepdent and have their own mind.

In her tradition, Maria Cerankowski needs a husband.

In Maria Cerankowski's empty brain, alternative lifestyles are legal as long as they are
fundamentalist, criminal and anti-woman. This woman (who supports Islamic fundamentalists) wants to force her crazy ideas on all individuals and communities.

Fundamentalist mental cases who have not taken their medication should have the right to live according to values other than ours: They should be thrown to the same psychiatric ward as Maria Cerankowski.


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Liberal Democracy=No Jewish Fundamentalism of Maria Cerankowski

by Progressive Woman (not verified) on

In Maria Cerankowski's tradition, STUPID women cause trouble for progressive women. Furthermore, in her tradition, she needs a husband. But it is not right for you to force her to be self-respecting!

In Maria Cerankowski's empty brain, alternative lifestyles are legal as long as they are
fundamentalist, criminal and anti-woman. This woman (who supports Islamic fundamentalists) wants to force her crazy ideas on all individuals and communities.

We should not *force* everybody to live according to our values. Fundamentalist mental cases who have not taken their medication should have the right to live according to values other than ours: They should be thrown to the same psychiatric ward as Maria Cerankowski (MC.)

PLease read the only three authors that MC has read while in the Psychiatric Hospital: Locke, Smith, and Rawls.

Progressive Woman


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Down with Sharia Laws and Maria Cerankowski

by anti - Maria Cerankowski (not verified) on

We can not have different laws for different people. Fundamentalist imbeciles like Maria Cerankowski should be subjected to the same laws as intelligent and progressive Azar Majedi and Maryam Namazie, if they live in the same society. End of the story.


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Liberal Democracy = Minority Rights

by M. Cerankowski (not verified) on

In my tradition, polygamy and polyandry are forbidden. Furthermore, in my tradition, same-sex marriage is forbidden. But it is not right for me to force my values on others!

According to liberal thought, alternative lifestyles are legal as long as they are consensual and do not cause public harm. Yet, totalitarian persons like Azar Majedi and Maryam Namazie (who support communism and Stalinism) want to force their values on all individuals and communities.

We should not *force* everybody to live according to our values. People should have the right to live according to values other than mine, or values different from that of majority (though within the limits prescribed by liberal philosophy as described by Locke, Smith, and Rawls).

MC


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Kachal Maria Cerankowski is looking for a husband

by Bozorgmehr (not verified) on

Let's find this backward Jewish Fundamentalist creature a husband. Do you know of any loser who is ready to marry this woman-hater?


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Decent Iranian Women versus Maria Cerankowski

by Haleh. (not verified) on

Get the hell out of here, as my sisters ordered you before. Iranian women support Azar Majedi and Maryam Namazie for their defence of democracy and women's rights. You fundamentalist Jew better go find yourself a husband instead of speaking of liberalism. Only the types of Abdullah and Hajiagha agree with you Stupid Bird-Brain!


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Pervert Maria Cerankowski

by Anti-Bullshit (not verified) on

Criminals are also a minority. Should we have laws protecting them? ZioNazis like you are an abominable minority who should be kicked out of our site. Get out of here and join Rosie T. (if you are not the same figure.)


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I'm sick of Maria and

by snow (not verified) on

I'm sick of Maria and Abdullah both fundamentalist relgious morons. MC uses the anti-semitism charges to discredit Maryam and Azar because she probably hates moslems and wants them to be enslaved by their clergies so their societies forever remains backward and destitude.


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Maria Cerankowski is anti-woman and anti-decency

by .Anonymous (not verified) on

Maria Cerankowski wants to impose her most backward and degrading ideas on us Iranians. Get the F*** out of here.


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Liberal Democracy = Minority Rights

by Maria Cerankowski (not verified) on

In my tradition, polygamy and polyandry are forbidden. Furthermore, in my tradition, same-sex marriage is forbidden. But it is not right for me to force my values on others!

According to liberal thought, alternative lifestyles are legal as long as they are consensual and do not cause public harm. Yet, totalitarian persons like Azar Majedi and Maryam Namazie (who support communism and Stalinism) want to force their values on all individuals and communities.

We should not *force* everybody to live according to our values. People should have the right to live according to values other than mine, or values different from that of majority (though within the limits prescribed by liberal philosophy as described by Locke, Smith, and Rawls).

MC


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Sad that Azar Majedi and Maryam Namazie are anti-Semites

by Maria Cerankowski (not verified) on

It is unfortunate that Azar Majedi and her friend Maryam Namazie have declared a desire for the Jewish tradition to disappear.

The Jewish tradition has brought beauty to the lives of many. Jews, like other communities, should be allowed to practice their traditions rather than being threatened with extinction.

It is unfortunate that Azar Majedi is an anti-Semite, and it is equally unfortunate that Maryam Namazie is an anti-Semite. They are on record saying that Jewish tradition advocates enslaving human beings and Judaism is evil. That is an untrue statement.

MC


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Maria Cerankowski: Get the hell out of here

by Negin (not verified) on

I agree. This backward poster should go to hell.


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Smelly Abdullah & Fascist Maria Cerankowski

by Anonnymous (not verified) on

We have read Locke, Smith, and Rawls, when we were teenagers. On your way to Hell, take Abdullah's hand. Ok? You need another IDIOT with you while you ROT there.

Now GET OUTf this site, IDIOT!!!!! You are so backward that you think every single person belongs to a TRADITION.


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There is a lot that can be

by Abdullah (not verified) on

There is a lot that can be learned from Maria Cerankoski. read her writings very carefully. Those of you who are Iranians with hot reacion come down and see what she is really saying it is actual beneficial to society to respect all the laws that people want to practice in their privacy. Listen Jews in America actively practice their religious laws along their country law. they even cover their heads with wgs and other practical ways of living the hebro laws. Those of you who commented just because you are Bahaiis with opportunity to once again jump at Islam( keep it up you are making an --of yourselves).


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Minorities have a right to a different life style

by Maria Cerankowski (not verified) on

Personally, I belong to a tradition that does not support multiple spouses or homosexual marriages. But the question is not MY values. The question is if my values should be forced on others!

Totalitarian/intolerant folk like Azar Majedi want to force their values on all individuals and communities.

As an upholder of political liberalism, however, I believe that I should not *force* everybody to live according to my values. People should have the right to live according to values other than mine, or values different from that of majority (though within the limits prescribed by liberal philosophy as described by Locke, Smith, and Rawls).

MC


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I have to agree with IRANIAN FEMINIST"S posting!

by Pary (not verified) on

Go to hell Maria cerekowski!!!!!You are no maria, you are a smelly fascist man!!!!no woman would want to have multiple husbands,it could only be in your sick smelly mind.
For god sake wash your feet!!!


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Should Polygamy and Same-Sex Marriages be Legal?

by Maria Cerankowski (not verified) on

Pary asks: what if a minority wants to permit polyandry or polygamy? Should that be allowed?

Why should it? Why should the government ban CONSENSUAL polygamy?

Suppose a religious tradition allows a woman to have multiple husbands. Why shouldn't a woman be allowed to have multiple husbands if the relationship is consensual? This is a counterfactual question, but let's consider the opposite: suppose a minority wants to allow multiple women to be consensually married to a man. Why not permit that?

Furthermore, why ban same-sex marriages if some traditions support it? (Reform Judaism supports same-sex unions, but the anti-Semitic Azar Majedi wants to wipe out anything having to do with Judaism.)

Liberalism is about letting individuals (and minorities) live life as they see fit as long as it does not harm *others* and doesn't lead to intolerable public harm, even if minority sexual practices go against majority values. Are you sure you want the government to govern what goes on in your bedroom as long as you aren't harming anyone and as long as what you do is consensual?

'Pary' posed the following question: "Do you think a muslim woman would chose to be stoned ... her daughter being sanitized by hounor killing???."

The question about stoning is counterfactual: none of the advocates of the Shari'a in the West are calling for the implementation of the pre-modern PENAL CODE. What they're talking about are the laws of personal status, which is a different area of law altogether. Actually, stoning has been suspended in *most* Muslim countries too, since the times have changed, and this makes the question even more anachronistic and unreal. Nobody in the West is calling for such a thing, and most people in the Musim World aren't calling for that either. When was the last time somebody was stoned in Indonesia or Morocco? (Yes, Iran is a different matter, but even in Iran the trend is towards suspension.)

As for "honor killing," nobody is calling for that being made legal in the West.

M.C.


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Ayatollah Maria Cerankowski : Go to Hell

by IranianFeminist (not verified) on

I am NOT Azar Majedi, but I like her stance against Islamo-fascism. We don't need an IGNORANT and MENTALLY DERANGED creature lke you to come here and do publicity for the TOTALITARIAN Sharia laws. Go to hell!!!


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Opposing Sharia Arbitration

by Readifyouhavetime (not verified) on

Opposing Sharia Arbitration Courts in UK
//eteraz.wordpress.com/2008/02/09/opposing-sh...

muslims against sharia:

//www.reformislam.org/

//www.mideastyouth.com/2007/09/25/muslims-aga...

Women against Sharia in Britain
//islamicmyths.wordpress.com/2008/02/11/women...

//ztruth.typepad.com/ztruth/2007/12/there-is-...

International protests against Shariah tribunals in Ontario
//www.wwrn.org/article.php?idd=18599&sec=36&c...

Top ten reasons why sharia is bad for all societies

//www.americanthinker.com/2005/08/top_ten_rea...


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A British Muslim woman

by nosharia (not verified) on

A British Muslim woman comments on the the flea-brained archbishop's support for Sharia law: "Look around the Islamic world where sharia rules and, in every single country, these ordinances reduce our human value to less than half that is accorded a male; homosexuals are imprisoned or killed, children have no free voice or autonomy, authoritarianism rules and infantilises populations. What's more, different Muslim nations claim to have their own allegedly god-given sharia. ... There is no agreed body of sharia, it is all drafted by males and the most cruel is now claiming absolute authority. In Pakistan, on the statutes are strictures on adultery introduced by the military dictator Zia ul-Haq. Women activists in that country have given their lives protesting against the injustice of those laws where women suspected of adultery, or rape victims, are punished in hideous ways and the man goes free. The Iranian theocracy changes its regulations from year to year, capriciously playing with the lives of females. .. Two Iranian friends chose to die rather than live under the demeaning religious orders. Go to Afghanistan if you fancy a 12-year-old bride – a practice approved by the mullahs. That's sharia for you. Many women, gay men and dissidents came to Britain to escape Islamic tyrants and their laws. Dr Williams supports those laws and, by default, makes the refugees victims again."

//www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/...

"Honor" abuse in the UK: "Up to 17,000 women in Britain are being subjected to "honour" related violence, including murder, every year, according to police chiefs. And official figures on forced marriages are the tip of the iceberg, says the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO). It warns that the number of girls falling victim to forced marriages, kidnappings, sexual assaults, beatings and even murder by relatives intent on upholding the "honour" of their family is up to 35 times higher than official figures suggest. The crisis, with children as young as 11 having been sent abroad to be married, has prompted the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to call on British consular staff in Bangladesh, India and Pakistan to take more action to identify and help British citizens believed to be the victims of forced marriages in recent years."
//prairiepundit.blogspot.com/2008/02/honor-ab...