Thursday, November 30, 2006

More on women and religion

‘Rigid Interpretation of Religion Hampers Women’s Progress’
Javid Hassan,
Source: Arab News


RIYADH, 30 November 2006 — Rigid religious interpretations by a segment of Saudi society and the lack of implementation of policy regarding the rights of women were identified as main hurdles to the progress of women in the Kingdom, who make up only 6.1 percent of the national work force.
Rigid interpretations or government sponsored wahabi religion funded well with oil money!!..Common sense dictates that invisible influences such as religion and culture do not hold back humans from their rights unless there are equally harsh laws to enforce such religion or culture. Religion or culture cannot be blamed when the law itself does not provide equal rights..instead itself is based on such culture or religion. This way, the religion and culture become the moral constitution of the country.
By the way why do we need "identification" here??? its a well known fact and there is no denying that from a person who has a common sense less than the size of grain. The element of surprise author is trying to create by starting off in an explosive tone is just confirming he is a bedouin from Riyadh..

This message rang out loud and clear at the concluding session of the United Nations Development Program’s seminar titled, the “Role of the Media in Human Development.” The feelings of anguish and despair among Saudi women were expressed forcefully through two prize-winning paintings that were on display at the venue of the seminar.

One of the paintings by Nour Attar Dina Abu Dawood, a 9th grade student of Dar Al-Fikr School in Jeddah, shows a series of closed doors. The caption to the painting reads: “We can do it all! Just start by opening the doors.” Another painting by Hgada Al-Afesaan shows a split map of Saudi Arabia reflecting a society torn across by the gender gap.

Mostafa Benlamlih, UN Resident Coordinator, told Arab News that 80 girls (in the 12-18 age group) from nine Saudi and international schools from all over the Kingdom participated in the competition on the Eight UN Millennium Development Goals. The prize-winning exhibits in each category would be used for bringing out posters to highlight the millennium goals in Saudi Arabia.

The suggestions that emerged from the two-day debate would now be submitted to the UN, which will later issue its recommendations that will be placed on its website.

The theme of the discussion was the empowerment of women for the advancement of society. Benlamlih described it as a lively discussion on the issues facing Saudi women. The thrust of the debate was toward equal opportunities for women. Sparks also flew in all directions on the issue of polygamy, with one side in favor of polygamy and the other against it.

The example of Tunisia, where polygamy has been banned, seemed to inspire those ranged against it. Delegates from the men’s side hit back at the advocates of a ban on polygamy by alleging that some of them were divorcees. Overall, it was a healthy debate that produced both heat and light.
Why on earth the comparison is being done with Tunisia..there is an entire continent of Asia, Europe and Americas to compare.

“All we can say is that no one can lay claim to the whole truth. It depends on how you look at it. I hope that through this discussion we had a better understanding of the issues relating to the empowerment of women as well as alternative solutions,” said Benlamlih.
Discussion regarding women rights do no include any women speakers by themselves. Which direction this leads to is clear to all

Speaking to Arab News, Samar Fatany, a Jeddah-based radio journalist and one of the participants in the seminar, said she hoped that the event would “mark a constructive change toward development by confronting the rigid interpretation of Islam and discrimination against women. I hope the debate will help in changing the perception of the image that has harmed Islam and also the image of Saudi Arabia as the leader of the Muslim world.”
Constructive change???? spare me but than is not happening until Saudi Arabia adopts a human rights complaint constitution and abandon 6th century Quran as their constitution. Islam and women rights do not sound compatible in any mix unless you are delusional.

In this context, she stressed the role of the media in highlighting the denial of job opportunities to women wherever they exist. “It should expose any injustice against women or the inefficiencies of the government.” She said the debate also focused on the need for setting up training programs for journalists in the interest of upgrading the professional caliber of the Arab media.
Well, employ a women and go to jail is the law of this country. Your government has explicitly imposed laws to prohibit employing women except in pre-approved professions. And that cuts down the women probability to 1:100000..Unless the ban is lifted..women are not getting any successful and competitive employment anywhere.

Calling for equal opportunities, Adlah Al-Essa, a Saudi woman journalist, said women should not be discriminated against when Islam itself gives them equal rights. “I drive in other countries, but here I can’t. Why should I use a chauffeur-driven car in which I am seated along with someone who is not my relative? What happens if there is an emergency at home and the driver is not available?” she asked.
Islam and equal rights..????? May be Quran talks about equal rights but any nation is as good as it is practiced and in that sense i say it is delusional to think such.
Well if there is an emergency at home and driver is not available.. you fix yourself a straight face and repeat after me.."whatever happens is due to Allah's will"..


The interpretation of the Holy Qur’an, Adlah pointed out, was left to the whims and fancies of some people. “We are not asking for freedom,” he said. “What we are asking for is our legitimate right given by Islam.”
Common sense is a luxry available to gifted ones in this oil gulf. Why brag and drag after a 6th century transcript when the UN Charter of Human rights 1947 is readily available for adoption?????
Regarding interpretation of Quran, well that has been done a few thousand times by now and everytime it come out more or less the same. In a nutshell, it is not gonna work any better than a lame excuse.

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