When some Muslims, determined to avoid damaging the "image" of Islam in the West, deny -- but only to Infidels (they wouldn't dare make such a claim to fellow Muslims, who know what's what)- that little Aisha, sitting in a swing, or playing with her toys, before being taken away by Muhammad -- was nine years old at the time her marriage to him was consummated -- they are merely practiing taqiyya, that is the religiously-sanctiond dissimulation that is permitted, that is encouraged, in order to protect Islam -- to lie in the service of Islam.For lying is permitted to Muslims in three situations, and one of those is "making war" and Muslims are taught that they are in a state of permanent war -- though not alway open warfare -- with all non-Muslims who refuse to submit, refuse to remove all obstaces to the spread, and dominance, of Islam.

Keep in mind that Ayatollah Khomeini's first important act as the ruler of Iran was to lower the marriageable age of girls to nine. Not eight. Not ten. Not eighteen. Nine. And he did this, as a good Muslim, because nine was the age of Aisha when she became fully "married" to Muhammad, the Model of Conduct, uswa hasana, the Perfect Man,al-insan al-kamil.

This is the kind of thing that is easily understood even by those who do not understand a great deal else about Islam. It not only sanctions, but promotes the idea that whatever Muhammad did, as the Perfect Man, is right for all times and all places. What Muhammad did in the early 7th century is appropriate for Iran in 1980, or Great Britain and France in 2008, or America -- whenever Muslims are strong enough to impose their will. And that strength is a function of two things: the ability of Infidels to know, appreciate, and desire to defend their own civilizational legacy, and the ability of Muslims to push above their weight, to impose their will, which is a function of their absence of fear of any Infidel reaction and, of course, of their sheer numbers. The greater the number of Muslims in any society, the greater the threat to Infidel legal and political institutions.

It's that simple.

Posted by: Hugh at April 18, 2008 11:49 AM

The father of the girl, ... , saying "I made a mistake by forcing my daughter to marry. "

He didn't force her to marry. He sold her.

Posted by: jay at April 18, 2008 12:17 PM

Doesn't she get credit for the thirteen years of child abuse and rape that she suffered from her 67 year old husband? Prorated, of course.

Interested what the judge is worried about - the dowry.

I suppose that this means that a Saudi wife is a commodity that is purchased from the father and "transfered" to the husband.

This, of course, has nothing to do with Islam.

Posted by: tanstaafl at April 18, 2008 12:18 PM

Some good news, at least, about the little Yemeni eight-year-old seeking a divorce from her abusive forced marriage:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7351336.stm

Thanks to reader Luber, who posted this link on another thread.

Posted by: gravenimage at April 18, 2008 12:30 PM

"The girl, deemed as a 'rebel' by a judge in the capital, Riyadh, was forced to marry a 67-year-old man ... 13 years ago."

I'm just nitpicking, but was he 67 when she married him? That would make him 90 now.

Ewww. Now you've got me thinking of Anna Nicole Smith.

"There's just not enough yuk in the world."

Posted by: Lori B. at April 18, 2008 2:07 PM

Her father's regrets: "At 23 and previously used, she'll no longer fetch the price of a tender prepubescent virgin. Might as well let her do what she wants."

Posted by: Marwan'sDaughter at April 18, 2008 2:13 PM

Lori B. That would actually make him 80. No less hideous though.

Posted by: morguerat at April 18, 2008 2:39 PM

Muslim kidnap for ransom, now they know they can marry for ransom...

Islam..Just one big extortion ring, any way, any where. They have been sucking the money from the west for years, now they being sucking money from other Muslims..

MY advice to a Muslim woman..do not get married to a Muslim man, nothing good will come of it.

Posted by: pulsar182 at April 18, 2008 6:01 PM

And the media is having a hayday attacking the polygamists in Texas, yes it is wrong but why the blind eye towards Islam by the MSM?

Every sentence I read in the news about the polygamists can be followed by 'and what about the muslims?'.

As disgusting as the Texas ordeal is the polygamy in Islam is worst, but we westerners love to pity third world societies and religions even when it violates our laws and human rights.

I would love to see all of the polygamists in Texas say 'we converted to Islam' and watch the media, judicial system, and law enforcement start trying to start backing up on the prosecution.

And where is CAIR and the ACLU?

Posted by: alaskan1000 at April 18, 2008 6:35 PM

"If she wants to re-marry, it will be her decision who to do it with."... said the father.

That's an attitude that they cannot allow in Islamdom; the father needs to go to a re-education camp. Next thing womens will want to get a job and a car - and and vote! Gotta keep 'em pregnant, ignorant, and barefoot.

Posted by: Pelayo at April 18, 2008 8:00 PM

"Gotta keep 'em pregnant, ignorant, and barefoot.

Posted by: Pelayo "

and wrapped in horrid black body bags..

Posted by: pulsar182 at April 18, 2008 9:27 PM

and they claim women have rights under Islam a right tospread the legs and not say a word and to cook and clean for their owner sI orry ment husband

Posted by: crusader at April 19, 2008 12:04 PM