Sharia alert from the Holy Kingdom. From AP, with thanks to Fanabba:
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia - He just wanted his colleagues in the government's legislative arm to discuss the possibility of conducting a study into the feasibility of reversing the ban on women drivers — the only prohibition of its kind in the world.But Consultative Council member Mohammad al-Zulfa's proposal has unleashed a storm in this conservative country where the subject of women drivers remains taboo.
Al-Zulfa's cell phone now constantly rings with furious Saudis accusing him of encouraging women to commit the double sins of discarding their veils and mixing with men. He gets phone text messages calling on Allah to freeze his blood. Chat rooms bristle with insulting accusations that al-Zulfa is "driven by carnal instincts with 454 horsepower."
Barring women from driving is a purely fundamental interpretation. Since cars were not invented when the Koran was supposedly written, this proves that radical interpretatino of religious texts and government do not nor will they ever mix. Moreover, this is one o the key things that is holding Islam back from joining he rest of the world and driving moderates (no pun intended) from their countries.
Anyhow, I have a close friend named Leila. She's from Iran, is quite religious, and drives everywhere. She rejects the interpretation that the Koran forbids women from driving, as does her husband. "That interpretation has no place in today's society and it is simply a ploy used by Imams to control women." Yet, she and her husband consider themselves devout Muslims and belong to a medium sized Mosque. I celebrate Eid with them every year and enjoy their unique perspectives.
I agree with the last comment. The ban on women riving has no place in the modern world. It is laws like that which contribute to what some people might call Saudi bashing. How else can normal respond when they learn about the ban on women driving?
That's it KT - mention the driving, forget the veils, the beating (4:34), the half inheritance (4:11), the halved legal value (Q 65 as I recall). Concentrate on the driving. That's the real issue here.
pwnage
Geoff
Geoff - You seem to stop at nothing to pick an arguement. In case you did not see it, this thread is titled: "Saudis Outraged Over Women-Drive Proposal" and tht is what I commented on.
Perhaps my point is something you agree with?
This reminds me of a cartoon from the time of the first U.S. moon landings, showing two commissars looking up that the full moon in the sky, and one is desparaging the achievement by commenting:
"Oh, we soviets could have sent cosmonauts to the moon long ago... but we were afraid they would defect."
The Saudis must have similar fears.
The ladies would just drive away.
I`d be happy to agree with your point, KT, if it was pointing somewhere.
To wit, twit: I imagine if spaceships (or the promised "personal jetpacks"; and where ARE those things, anyway? =( ) had been invented, islam would take misogynist issue with those also. Or personal submersibles. Or Star-Trek-style transporters. But what's the real issue here? Fundamentalism? Or islam? Why do these things keep cropping up?
In Saudi Arabia, it's driving.
In Iraq, it's veils.
In Pakistan, it's veils AND sexual mores, such as they are.
And on and on,
Geoff
KT is correct. It is just another part of a woman's life the Immam's get to control. That's what it is all about, control, dominance, and fear. Fear of offending a god who can make you burn in hell forever because you had the unmitigated gall to drive an automobile. They want control of your movements and thoughts, and the dominance of their will in your life. Because hey, they know better.
[insert name of religion here] fundamentalist teachings about not wearing pants or makeup, not using birth control and other social constrictive dogma are intended to control the lives and wills of otherwise intelligent people making them dependant on their spiritual masters. Screw that crap. I’m free. Drop the shackles of religious dogma and join the rest of the free humans on the planet who are no longer each others slaves via spiritual chicanery.
f.g. free gringo
Yeah FG, but who in the Christian camp is pushing the same horse? Robertson??
...how about someone who ISN'T certifiably loony?
Geoff
Hey guys,
Don't worry, our friendly Imam has given us his wise counsel as to why women shouldn't drive.
Fatwa
Can't see anything wrong with that, can you??
Regards,
Kc
KingOfTalkingCr@p:I celebrate Eid with them every year and enjoy their unique perspectives.
Yes, we know there are moderates out there but that is not what the issue is about. Heck, even a blind hog finds a truffle now and again so the fact you have stumbled into some very nice muslims does not mean there is no jihad.
While not letting women drive is undenyably unequal and unfair... I do wonder what the accident rates of Saudi's vs the rest of the world are.
hhahahaahahahahaha
I'd always assumed that a hog used its nose to find truffles. (to be honest I have no clue)
PS. However, I do agree... Jihad is to be found everywhere misery and Islam co-habitates.
These Saudis sure don't mind female American
Pilots risking their live to defend the right to deny females to drive a car.
I say bring on the new technology to get
vehicles off the Oil supply and tell the Saudis to shove-it where the Quran don't shine.
The reasons for the burka, the veil, no driving, no jobs, sexual surgery exc, is because muslims are so insecure with their own sexual manhood, that they put these restrictions on women so they wont wander. So other men cant see them, so they wont interact with other men. Seems like muslims just dont trust those muslimahs, who might know that there are "bigger",and "better", "things" out there. A secondary reason is to protect them from getting raped by another muslim...
Before I start here, let me qualify my statements first:
1) I do cherish women very much but,
2) Not impressed with their driving ability.
There, I said it and I'm not taking it back either. Let Muslim women drive! The gridlock that will be created by multiple accidents all over SA will bring the kingdom to it's knees! No need for cruise missiles or putting the lives of American servicemen and women at risk! No Sir! Let the Muslimahs drive between 6 and 9 a.m. and between 3 and 6 p.m. at maximum velocity. The bigger the vehicle the better! Let them disregard all posted signs and traffic lights too. WOOOEEEE! Now that's progress!
Johnny Cash, I probably can out-drive you. I (some years ago) used to race "funny cars"
Never mind The Imam's fatwa against driving,here he gives the reasons why it is forbidden to watch TV http://www.islam.tc/ask-imam/view.php?q=9923 And a few comments about ladies with moustaches.
Watching tv is not permissible due to the following factors:
1. Pictures of animate objects
2. Voice of women and music
3. Nudity
4. Waste of time
5. Stops a person from Dhikr and other virtuous acts
6. Inculcates western lifestyle in a person
7. Removes Hayaa (modesty)
8. Harms the body permanently
So that includes Al Jazeera and beheading videos and Osama's pep talks presumably?
Why not?
Answers on the back of a postcard please.