OT,

Is this the worst place on earth to be a woman?

In Yemen, women belong to men. Most are illiterate. They are arrested in the street. They die in childbirth. In this special report, Rachel Cooke meets the brave few who are campaigning for midwives and against early marriage

It is early morning in Al-Hudaydah, a small city in the northwest of Yemen, and Aminah, my translator, is going about the awkward business of eating breakfast. We have come to a restaurant, our hotel dining room being somewhat unappetising in appearance, and this means, for starters, that we've been put in a special room, segregated, away from the eyes of male diners.

In fact, it's more of a corridor, a place at the back of the restaurant, where oil cans are stored, and great piles of vegetables kept in the cool. There are no windows - the only light is provided by the door through which we entered - and not much space: our table takes up all of that. It is dark and dank, and it makes me feel as though we are being punished rather than entertained. Aminah, I can tell, is in two minds about her veil. Should she raise it, so she can eat? Or should she leave it down, in case of passing males, and push her bread, beans and spring onions awkwardly behind it? Sometimes, I have noticed, waiters count as males, and sometimes they don't; they become conveniently invisible. This place, though, is wide open to the street, so waiters are the least of her worries. Eventually, she decides: the veil goes up, and she eats. Only now she is sitting at an odd angle, so that her face is carefully cast in shadow, like that of a spy or a fugitive.

When I first met Aminah, four days ago, I was dismayed. In Yemen, few women go about unveiled. In fact, almost none. Even so, for some reason I was expecting her to be different: the fact that she spoke English, and had a job, encouraged me to believe that when I talked to her, I would be allowed to see her face, and thus to tell what she was thinking. So when I saw her, sitting in our hotel lobby, another inverted ghost, with only her brown eyes and her hennaed fingers revealed to the world, my heart sank.
http://lifeandhealth.guardian.co.uk/women/story/0,,2278332,00.html

Posted by: interestinconundrum at May 12, 2008 4:09 PM

From the article:

Apparently unwilling to show any degree of caution with respect to its financial support of IIIT programs and events, emboldened by their new policy preventing the identification of Islamic extremists and terror support organizations, and unashamed of their past designation of a major al-Qaeda operative as one of their “goodwill ambassadors”, the State Department can be added to the growing list of U.S. government agencies experiencing severe confusion over which side to take in America’s War against Islamic Terror.

Perhaps the State Department should have charges brought against it for illegally funding a member of a Specially Designated Terrorist Group by ... the State Department.

Posted by: Concerned Citizen at May 12, 2008 4:47 PM

It's a good thing State Department is at Foggy Bottom. A fog is the ideal place for those who wish to see no evil, hear no evil and hope that the fog will protect them from the [j-word].

Whoever selected that site for State had either amazing foresight or a wicked sense of humor.

Posted by: PMK at May 12, 2008 4:50 PM

Something tells me that Osama's place of hiding is actually in the State Department. That explains why he can't be found in Pashtoonistan.

Posted by: Infidel Pride at May 12, 2008 5:14 PM

interestinconundrum: Thanks for the story and link. Moving to say the least. I have to wonder how many rubes in the State Department would want their daughters or wives treated as women are in Yemen. Amazing how going native (especially if one has advanced degrees) leads to excusing the most basic human rights violations, all in the name of understanding and multiculturalism.

Posted by: Wellington at May 12, 2008 5:47 PM

How was that Condi quote again?

"America is too big to have permanent enemies..." or some such?

Posted by: sheik yer'mami at May 12, 2008 6:03 PM

"America has no permanent enemies"

The PhD proves a little knowledge is a dangerous thing. She forgot the rest of the quote that she thought she was being clever by citing part of.

Nations have no permanent friends and no permanent enemies, only permanent interests.

Posted by: PMK at May 12, 2008 6:55 PM

You may all thank Bennie Thompson, 1st Democratic Chairman of the HSC.

To begin the 110th Congress, Thompson was promoted by his colleagues to serve as the first ever Democratic Chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, a committee which was created by the U.S. House of Representatives in 2002 in the aftermath of September 11, 2001. As Chairman, Congressman Thompson recently introduced and engineered House passage of the most comprehensive homeland security package since September 11th, H.R. 1, the "9/11 Commission Recommendations Act of 2007".

You can contact Rep Thompsom via his website, but don't expect any positive action from this guy.

Posted by: raja at May 12, 2008 7:06 PM

Again is it me or have we surrendered to islam it appears to me that we have.
I think if we really look at what western goverments run by business is doing is islamifying the western world to control us with the religion of obediance .
Even if you disagree with this you have to admit somethings very strange in how there acting.

Posted by: spcbat at May 12, 2008 7:21 PM

When will awareness spread among the American people about the traitors in the State Dept. and the CIA? When will the citizens revolt? When will a Superfund cleanup of those two depositories of the most toxic elements of the American population be conducted?

Ruslan Tokhchukov, EnragedSince1999.

Posted by: Enragedsince1999 at May 12, 2008 7:34 PM

“When will awareness spread among the American people about the traitors in the State Dept. and the CIA? When will the citizens revolt? When will a Superfund cleanup of those two depositories of the most toxic elements of the American population be conducted?”
Ruslan Tokhchukov, EnragedSince1999.

The “GREAT AWAKENING”

will occur

when the brilliant flash of light gives birth

to the mushroom cloud.

Posted by: Davegreybeard at May 12, 2008 7:57 PM

the International Institute for Islamic Thought (IIIT) — an organization currently under active federal grand jury investigation for terrorist support activities....

I doubt if this outfit is much danger. After all, it must be a very,very small organization.

Posted by: ebonystone at May 12, 2008 8:09 PM

PMK-

I love hearing the whole 'America has no permanent enemies' quote. I never knew that! What a difference it makes!

Reminds me of LBJ's favorite Bible quote he used all the time - "Come let us reason together".

The complete quote is "Come let us reason together, sayeth the Lord."

Posted by: poetcomic1 at May 12, 2008 8:20 PM

Question: Is the "International Institute for Islamic Thought (IIIT)" the same entity as the "International Institute for Islamic Thought and Civilisation" which crops up several times in the affiliations of some of the '138 "scholars"' who signed off on the Letter from the Muslims to the Christians, in October 2007?

Where is it based, when was it founded, and by whom?

One thing I noticed when reading through the list of '138' was the proliferation of mysterious organisations with high-faluting names.

I have begun to wonder whether, the longer and more elaborately academic or morally high-minded the name of the Muslim body, the more suspicious Infidel investigators should be.

The names of these bodies remind me of the names that used to be employed by communist front groups. But the fact that Orwellian doublespeak seems to be Islam's normal and natural mode of operation, should make us particularly suspicious. Ministry of Love, and so on.

Further request: in this case, the organisation is known under an English name. But whenever an Islamic organisation with an Arabic (or Persian, or other) name crops up in a news story, I think for the benefit of new readers, or those who will be curious and check out the archives,we should always, always, supply a clear English translation of the name or title - e.g. the Filipino jihad outfit, Abu Sayyaf, should ALWAYS be clarified by a translation 'Son [or Sons?] of the Sword'; Hezbollah/ Hizbollah, should ALWAYS be accompanied by its translation, 'party of allah'.

Posted by: dumbledoresarmy at May 12, 2008 8:29 PM

... and people in the State Department and in the administration responsible for this treason are not being hanged for their crimes against the people of this nation, the Constitution which they swore to uphold -- because, why?

Did I miss something or is the jist of the article showing how aid and comfort is being given to an enemy in a time of war by people in the government?

Or do I fail to comprehend the meaning of what it is I am reading?

If so, where is my lack of comprehension and on what point(s) am I in error?

Posted by: witness at May 12, 2008 8:42 PM

Yes indeedy, IIIT has a website!, and it is pleased to announce its "Summer Institute for Scholars"

The first Summer Institute for scholars will take place at IIIT headquarters in Herndon, VA between July 15 and August 15, 2008. The purpose of the Summer Institute is to bring together and engage senior and young scholars with a particular interest or expertise in Qur’anic studies or Sunna in focused, organized discussions of topics related to a contemporary understanding and articulation of issues involving Qur’an and Sunna. More...

Extra credit courses include "How Best to Behead a Kuffar," "Why Shi'ites Deserve to Die Horribly," "The Logistics of Roadside Bomb Emplacement," "The Healiing Qualities of Camel Urine," "Taqiyya and Kitman, Then and Now."

Are you a student of means who would like to help other needy students to attend the Summer Institute? Then consider becoming a member of Students Helping IIIT. (Actually, we are looking for someone to coordinate this effort. Inshallah, YOU are the SHIIT Head that we are looking for. Submit your resume. No phone calls, please!)

Posted by: Lex at May 12, 2008 8:44 PM

Oh, by the way,

The Institute is committed to the development of Islamic scholarship in contemporary social sciences and humanities. It is dedicated to the revival and reform of Islamic thought, and its methodology is to help Muslims deal effectively with modern social challenges and ultimately contribute to the progress of civilization by giving it a specific meaning and direction derived from Divine guidance. Through Islamic scholarship, the Institute hopes the ummah will regain its intellectual and cultural identity and re-affirm its presence as a dynamic civilizational force.

Uh, Allah says to kill and/or subdue the infidels. Isn't that how progress should be measured? Are we Muslims not civilized already? What intellectual and cultural identity have we lost? Aren't you people at IIIT a bunch of stinking Islamophobic apostates who want to make us feel bad about ourselves? Death to YOU!!!

Posted by: Lex at May 12, 2008 9:02 PM

The IIIT is located at 500 Grove Street in Herndon, VA according to its website.

Google 500 and 555 Grove Street, Herndon, VA and FBI to get a night's worth of reading about all the islamic organizations located there and how they were raided shortly after 9/11. According to one of the thngs you'll find there, the IIIT was tied up with Sami al-Arian. www.sperryfiles.com has quite a bit on info as well.

Posted by: eve_anne_gelical at May 12, 2008 9:07 PM

dumbledoresarmy--The International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilization (ISTAC) is part of the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM). The IIIT (ey yi yi!) dispenses with civilization altogether (DCA).

Posted by: Nick Danger at May 12, 2008 9:08 PM

"The IIIT board and executive members comprises of the foremost scholars, academics and intellectuals in the Muslim World, including the Leading Islamic Theologian Dr. Yusuf Al-Qardawi, the former Finance Minister of Malaysia, Dr. Anwar Ebrahim, the exiled Iraqi leader Dr. Ahmad Totonjie and the Founder and Rector of the International Islamic University (IIU) in Kuala Lumpur, Professor Dr. Abdul Hamid Ahmad Abu Sulayman, to name a few."

Posted by: Nick Danger at May 12, 2008 9:21 PM

Nick, consider the "moderate" Sheik Yusuf al-Qaradawi: Theologian of Terror

Posted by: Lex at May 12, 2008 9:32 PM

Check out how moslems rule this street in Britain.
http://glen-jenvey.com/

Posted by: interestinconundrum at May 12, 2008 10:26 PM

al-Qaradawi, Red Ken's best buddy

Posted by: bigwhiteinfidel at May 12, 2008 10:49 PM

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Hesham Islam continues as the "right hand man" to Deputy Undersecretary of State Gordon England.

And the construction of mosques in the good old U.S.A. goes on, and on, and on...........

And McCain knows next to nothing about Islam.

And our Commander In Chief knows absolutely nothing aboug Islam.

And Dr. Rice knows less than nothing about Islam.

And we don't know what Obama knows about Islam.

And Mrs. Clinton knows nothing about Islam, save for the fawning she did over Mr. Arafat at the White House (weren't those the good old days?).

And the current Administration continues to act as though Spencer, Fitzgerald, West, McCarthy, Coughlin, Ye'or, Shoebat, Hirsi-Ali and the others who do know something about Islam were never born.

When will this madness end?

Posted by: INFIDELATLARGE at May 12, 2008 10:49 PM

Nick - thanks for the clarification on the distinction (but also the connections) between ISTAC and the IIIT.

For people's further information, I note that Anwar Ibrahim, former finance minister of Malaysia, listed on the board of the IIIT, was one of the '138 "scholars"' who signed off on the 'Letter from the Muslims to the Christians' in October 2007.

So, despite his alleged 'moderation', here he is on the IIIT board, cheek by jowl with Qaradawi.

If I've got this clear: Abdul Hamid Ahmad Abu Sulayman founded, and is rector of, IIUM. ISTAC operates under the auspices of IIUM.

Abu H. A. Sulayman is ALSO on the board & exec of IIIT, TOGETHER WITH Anwar Ibrahim [signatory to the 'Letter from the Muslims to the Christians'] AND our jihad-loving sharia-promoting Yusuf Qaradawi.

(I had to resort to drawing diagrams to start seeing the relationships).

Posted by: dumbledoresarmy at May 12, 2008 11:43 PM

DDA,

(I had to resort to drawing diagrams to start seeing the relationships).

I'm sure your end result was a true "spaghetti bowl" of lines that twist and turn to infinity.

Stupid zombies. And stupid western governments for not seeing this mess.

Posted by: boneshack at May 12, 2008 11:48 PM

Sorry - typo - in the second last paragraph above, 'Abu H. A.' should read 'Abdul H. A.'.

Posted by: dumbledoresarmy at May 12, 2008 11:48 PM

The US government, under Bush is becoming diagnostically schizophrenic.

Posted by: duh_swami at May 13, 2008 12:40 AM

The same IIIT "think tank" in Herdon, VA affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood (Anwar Ibrahim is listed as the founder), part of the SAAR Network set up by the Saudis, the IIIT
that donated to the Al-Haramain Islamic Foundation which provided directed support to Al Qaeda(Al-Haramain in turn tied up with the tangle of banks and charities where everyone serves on the boards of the other)...even Tarik Handi who purchased the battery for the satellite phone he personally delivered to bin Laden, the phone used to coordinate future attacks, worked at and served on the board of the IIIT in Herndon, Va. The IIIT also donated to Sami Al-Arian's think tank WISE, the front for the PIJ, whose current secretary general Shallah came to the U. of South Florida to work at WISE.

All in all about as "moderate" as those scholars writing the Pope (such as Dr. Muhammad al-Buti's books as opposed to the contents of that letter). I can almost hear Orson Welles' Hank Quinlan now:
"guilty, guilty, guilty. Every last one of
them - guilty." (Touch of Evil)

Posted by: Nick Danger at May 13, 2008 2:34 AM

Mosques like mushrooms in the US?

Take a look at olde England:

http://sheikyermami.com/2008/05/13/uk-man-rapes-woman/

Posted by: sheik yer'mami at May 13, 2008 2:46 AM

Babe, you ain't seen nothin yet!

Muslim threats force out disabled teacher with dog Islamic students reportedly taunted 'unclean' animal

This must have happened in Saudi land right?

Nope, guess again!

A Muslim high school student's intolerance for a service dog needed by a student teacher with a disability has reportedly prompted the student teacher to abandon the last 10 hours of his scheduled assignment at Technical High School in St. Cloud, Minn.

http://worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=64151

Maybe its time fighting for "freedom" in Iraq?

Perhaps the time has come to start "fighting for freedom" in the "land of the free (wanna bet?) and home of the brave>/b> (phony tough and wanna-be brave these days)"

Don't see shariah popping up like mushroom clouds all over the US?

Then you ARE blind or stupid -- most likely both!

Posted by: witness at May 13, 2008 7:11 AM

Maybe its time fighting for "freedom" in Iraq?

Correction...

Maybe it's time to stop fighting for "freedom" in Iraq?

(damned Wi-Fi !!)

Posted by: witness at May 13, 2008 7:13 AM

You'll never guess who did this:

Guard's throat cut in front of shoppers

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,23690002-2,00.html

Nothing to do with islam. Of course not. Otherwise they would have mentioned something, don't you think?

Posted by: sheik yer'mami at May 13, 2008 7:43 AM

Mmmm, I'm confused? Are you talking about the Saudi Arabian State Department based in Washington DC?

Posted by: Rick at May 13, 2008 8:17 AM

The legion of stupid and dangerous fools at Foggy Bottom.

Where do they find these people ?

Posted by: dgene at May 13, 2008 9:57 AM

Probably at the premier colleges and universities, much like Dr. Rice.
If you know enough foreign languages or at least one or two of the specials, like Urdu or Farsi, you're in.

Posted by: PMK at May 13, 2008 4:05 PM