Comments on: Women, Islam and Syria http://www.feministe.us/blog/archives/2006/08/29/women-islam-and-syria/ In defense of the sanctimonious women's studies set. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:02:20 +0000 hourly 1 By: The Qubaisiate « Hilsen Fra… http://www.feministe.us/blog/archives/2006/08/29/women-islam-and-syria/#comment-62325 The Qubaisiate « Hilsen Fra… Sat, 02 Sep 2006 04:06:32 +0000 http://www.feministe.us/blog/archives/2006/08/29/women-islam-and-syria/#comment-62325 [...] ome About The Qubaisiate September 2nd, 2006 Interesting article on religious revival among women in Syria [...] [...] ome
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Interesting article on religious revival among women in Syria [...]

]]> By: The Quba « Hilsen Fra… http://www.feministe.us/blog/archives/2006/08/29/women-islam-and-syria/#comment-62324 The Quba « Hilsen Fra… Sat, 02 Sep 2006 04:03:45 +0000 http://www.feministe.us/blog/archives/2006/08/29/women-islam-and-syria/#comment-62324 [...] Home About The Quba September 2nd, 2006 Interesting article on religious revival among women in Syria http://www [...] [...]
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]]> By: DAS http://www.feministe.us/blog/archives/2006/08/29/women-islam-and-syria/#comment-62080 DAS Wed, 30 Aug 2006 19:47:47 +0000 http://www.feministe.us/blog/archives/2006/08/29/women-islam-and-syria/#comment-62080 Actually, in many Islamic areas, women have been a driving force for the adoption of Sharia -- because Sharia is, in many places, the only alternative to tribal law which the male-dominated societies will respect ... and women fair better under Sharia than under some of these tribal laws. Not surprisingly, this sort of subtilety has been missed by our "we don't do nuance" admin which seems to have somehow gotten the idea, e.g., that they can topple the Taliban and suddenly all of Afghanistan will be a paradise for the women living there (and "why aren't you feminists happy with us for doing this?"). It is not only a moral lapse, though, but also a strategic one. If you want to prevent, e.g., the Taliban from regaining power, you need to deal with the root causes of the situation -- and part of that is dealing with the situation of women under tribal law. OTOH, this sort of dynamic wouldn't seem to apply in Syria, would it? Actually, in many Islamic areas, women have been a driving force for the adoption of Sharia — because Sharia is, in many places, the only alternative to tribal law which the male-dominated societies will respect … and women fair better under Sharia than under some of these tribal laws.

Not surprisingly, this sort of subtilety has been missed by our “we don’t do nuance” admin which seems to have somehow gotten the idea, e.g., that they can topple the Taliban and suddenly all of Afghanistan will be a paradise for the women living there (and “why aren’t you feminists happy with us for doing this?”). It is not only a moral lapse, though, but also a strategic one. If you want to prevent, e.g., the Taliban from regaining power, you need to deal with the root causes of the situation — and part of that is dealing with the situation of women under tribal law.

OTOH, this sort of dynamic wouldn’t seem to apply in Syria, would it?

]]> By: Tuomas http://www.feministe.us/blog/archives/2006/08/29/women-islam-and-syria/#comment-62046 Tuomas Wed, 30 Aug 2006 16:55:12 +0000 http://www.feministe.us/blog/archives/2006/08/29/women-islam-and-syria/#comment-62046 <blockquote> When we position all Muslims as the enemy, we aid in establishing a collective religious identity that trumps nationalism. </blockquote> Should read "<i>if</i> we position...". As, IIRC, Bush & co consistently has not blamed Islam or all Muslims.

When we position all Muslims as the enemy, we aid in establishing a collective religious identity that trumps nationalism.

Should read “if we position…”. As, IIRC, Bush & co consistently has not blamed Islam or all Muslims.

]]> By: Mandos http://www.feministe.us/blog/archives/2006/08/29/women-islam-and-syria/#comment-62000 Mandos Wed, 30 Aug 2006 03:19:55 +0000 http://www.feministe.us/blog/archives/2006/08/29/women-islam-and-syria/#comment-62000 I once read an article in a Pakistani newspaper about a woman who studied with a conservative male religious scholar. He taught her the text, and how to understand the text, and then about "Islamic" religious practice. When she asked him for sources, and even quoted him chapter and verse in ways that made such practie sound dubious as to the aspects more directly disadvantageous to women, he scolded her and told her she must not use religious interpretation to question things about women, but just accept them... I'm amused by the margins that Assad et al. win. You'd think they'd put in a bit of effort to look slightly credible. Like, why not make it something like 60%? I once read an article in a Pakistani newspaper about a woman who studied with a conservative male religious scholar. He taught her the text, and how to understand the text, and then about “Islamic” religious practice. When she asked him for sources, and even quoted him chapter and verse in ways that made such practie sound dubious as to the aspects more directly disadvantageous to women, he scolded her and told her she must not use religious interpretation to question things about women, but just accept them…

I’m amused by the margins that Assad et al. win. You’d think they’d put in a bit of effort to look slightly credible. Like, why not make it something like 60%?

]]> By: Ape Man http://www.feministe.us/blog/archives/2006/08/29/women-islam-and-syria/#comment-61999 Ape Man Wed, 30 Aug 2006 03:08:36 +0000 http://www.feministe.us/blog/archives/2006/08/29/women-islam-and-syria/#comment-61999 We've got some commenters over a the Liberal Avenger who could really use a Feministe ass-whuppin. Both political stripes. It's out of hand. Help us. APS We’ve got some commenters over a the Liberal Avenger who could really use a Feministe ass-whuppin. Both political stripes. It’s out of hand. Help us.

APS

]]> By: Chris Clarke http://www.feministe.us/blog/archives/2006/08/29/women-islam-and-syria/#comment-61991 Chris Clarke Wed, 30 Aug 2006 02:32:55 +0000 http://www.feministe.us/blog/archives/2006/08/29/women-islam-and-syria/#comment-61991 <blockquote> Phyllis Schlafly, for example, who made an entire career out of telling other women to stay home, or Caitlin Flanagan, who’s making big bucks on the same thing today. Women exchanging ideas doesn’t automatically translate into progress.</blockquote> Why must you reflexively criticise the West in writing about feminism in the Islamic World? Why do you liberals hate America? Etc. (Well, someone had to. Why should G*ldst*in have all the fun?)

Phyllis Schlafly, for example, who made an entire career out of telling other women to stay home, or Caitlin Flanagan, who’s making big bucks on the same thing today. Women exchanging ideas doesn’t automatically translate into progress.

Why must you reflexively criticise the West in writing about feminism in the Islamic World? Why do you liberals hate America? Etc.

(Well, someone had to. Why should G*ldst*in have all the fun?)

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