Or has The Independent completely departed from reality? My latest in FrontPage:
The UK’s Independent, hitherto generally regarded as not run by insane people, on Sunday ran a piece entitled: “How the teachings of Islam could help us prevent more sexual abuse scandals.” Now on the question of the Independent’s sanity, the jury is decidedly out.
The article is written by Qasim Rashid, which explains a great deal. Rashid is a professional liar, a one-man cottage industry of deception and hypocrisy. He has whitewashed Muhammad’s support for torture and the reality of jihad violence and Sharia oppression; dissembled about the Qur’an’s sanction of deception of unbelievers; lied about the presence of violent passages in the Qur’an; lied about the Qur’an’s sanction of beating disobedient women; lied about the nature of Sharia; called for limitations on the freedom of speech and expression to outlaw behavior and speech some Muslims may find offensive; and lied about Muhammad’s stance toward the persecution of Christians. He has even blamed Christianity for Islam’s death penalty for blasphemy. When challenged about the “facts” he has presented, he (like virtually all other Islamic supremacists) responds with furious ad hominem contempt, but never answers the refutations of his articles on substantive grounds — because, of course, he cannot do so.
In this one, however, Rashid has outdone himself, claiming that “the teachings of Islam could help us prevent more sexual abuse scandals.” This is true in one sense: since Islam doesn’t actually recognize many varieties of sexual abuse as wrongdoing, the scandals would go away. But the abuse wouldn’t.
Rashid contradicts himself right off the bat, saying that “the cancer of sexual abuse against women that we see in Christian majority America is just as prevalent in Muslim majority Pakistan.” Yet later in the article, he claims below that “rather than preach empty dogmatic theories, Islam instead prescribes a proven secular model.” Proven where? In which Islamic country has sexual abuse been eradicated or even lessened by people following Islamic teachings? If not in Islam-besotted Pakistan, then where?
Undaunted by any obligation to provide a rational, evidence-based argument, Rashid continues: “This is where Islamic teachings and Prophet Muhammad’s example provide a solution that no state truly can. And while there are people who don’t believe that sexual abuse is even a problem, some on the left will disagree that accountability to a higher power is a solution….Quran 4:2 first establishes men and women as equal beings. Chapter 4:20 then forbids men from forcing a woman to act against her will, thereby ensuring women maintain autonomy and self-determination.”
Rashid’s Qur’an is one verse off from the standard edition. It’s 4:1 that says “O mankind, fear your Lord, who created you from one soul and created from it its mate and dispersed from both of them many men and women,” and it’s 4:19 that says, “O you who have believed, it is not lawful for you to inherit women by compulsion.” That is not exactly the same thing as forbidding men from forcing women to act against their will; it refers only to forcing them to be given in inheritance.
As always, Rashid’s pieces are notable more for what they leave out than what they put in: Rashid doesn’t mention that the same chapter of the Qur’an says that a man can have sexual relations with “those your right hands possess” (4:3, 4:24), i.e., slave girls whose consent is neither required nor sought.
Rashid adds: “Chapter 4:35 furthermore prevents violence against women by forcing men to control themselves and never resort to physically harming women – preempting physical abuse.”
In reality, Qur’an 4:34 says just the opposite. It doesn’t forbid men to harm women physically. Instead, it says to beat women from whom a man “fears disobedience”: “Men have authority over women because Allah has made the one superior to the other, and because they spend their wealth to maintain them. Good women are obedient. They guard their unseen parts because Allah has guarded them. As for those from whom you fear disobedience, admonish them and send them to beds apart and beat them.”
In case anyone is skeptical that Rashid’s verse citations are one verse off from the standard Qur’anic verse divisions, here is 4:35: “And if you fear dissension between the two, send an arbitrator from his people and an arbitrator from her people. If they both desire reconciliation, Allah will cause it between them. Indeed, Allah is ever Knowing and Acquainted.” Nothing in that verse says anything about not physically harming women.
Digging deeper, Rashid continues:
The Quran further obliges men to provide for a woman’s every financial need, while holding that anything a woman earns is hers alone – preempting financial abuse. And when it comes to the Islamic concept of Hijab, it is men who are first commanded to never gawk at women, and instead guard their private parts and chastity, regardless of how women choose to dress – pre-empting sexual abuse.
In reality, the Qur’an says: “O Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to bring down over themselves of their outer garments. That is more suitable that they will be known and not be abused. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful.” (33:59) The implication there is that if women do not cover themselves adequately with their outer garments, they may be abused, and that such abuse would be justified. And indeed, the assumption behind the hijab is not that a man must not gawk at women, but that women are responsible for making sure that they don’t. And if men gawk anyway, the woman he is gawking at could end up being punished.
Not content to misrepresent the Qur’an, Rashid misrepresents Muhammad:
Prophet Muhammad himself illustrated this point. In a famous incident, a woman described as strikingly beautiful approached the Prophet to seek his guidance on some religious matters. The Prophet’s companion, Al Fadl, began to stare at her because of her beauty. Noting this, the Prophet Muhammad did not scold the woman for her attire, but instead, he “reached his hand backwards, catching Al Fadl’s chin, and turned his face to the other side so that he would not gaze at her”.
Accordingly, the Prophet Muhammad by example demonstrated that the burden of modesty, respect, and combating abuse of women rests on men. Indeed, men must take the lead in stopping such sexual abuse. After all, while the Quran obliges women to dress modestly as a covenant with God, Islam prescribes no punishment whatsoever for women who choose to dress otherwise.
On the contrary, on numerous occasions Prophet Muhammad punished an accused rapist on the testimony of the rape survivor alone. In this environment of gender equity, women in Islam rise to the rank of legal scholars, warriors, entrepreneurs, and philanthropists while lovingly embracing identities as mothers and housewives.
In reality, Muhammad condoned the rape of captive Infidel women: “The Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) sent a military expedition to Awtas on the occasion of the battle of Hunain. They met their enemy and fought with them. They defeated them and took them captives. Some of the Companions of the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) were reluctant to have intercourse with the female captives in the presence of their husbands who were unbelievers. So Allah, the Exalted, sent down the Qur’anic verse: (Sura 4:24) ‘And all married women (are forbidden) unto you save those (captives) whom your right hands possess.’” (Sunan Abu Dawud 2150; see also Sahih Muslim 3433) “O Allah’s Apostle! We get female captives as our share of booty, and we are interested in their prices, what is your opinion about coitus interruptus?” The Prophet said, “Do you really do that? It is better for you not to do it. No soul that which Allah has destined to exist, but will surely come into existence.” (Sahih Bukhari 34:432) “I drove them along until I brought them to Abu Bakr who bestowed that girl upon me as a prize. So we arrived in Medina. I had not yet disrobed her when the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) met me in the street and said: ‘Give me that girl.’” (Sahih Muslim 4345)
So not only does Muhammad allow the rape, cautioning only against coitus interruptus, but he seizes one of the slave girls for himself.
Qasim Rashid undoubtedly knows the material I am quoting here. He is being deliberately deceptive, to hoodwink people into ignorance and complacency regarding the sexual abuse that is rampant and taken for granted in Muslim countries. In the final analysis, he is on Harvey Weinstein’s side.
Peter Buckley says
Just read the comments section of the original article. Every single comment is against Rachid. A great mixture of sarcasm and quotes from Quran and hadith from all those who took the time. I don’t know if Rachid will have the guts/ honesty to read the comments. Unlikely, but there is just a small chance that he will realize how completely out of touch he is with Westerners in general. He may even think twice about writing this sort of crap again, knowing the reception he will get.
So a piece of Islamic propaganda has been exposed and turned against itself. Nice one guys. Bring on the next delusional piece so we can collectively rip it to shreds. There are some JW readers who think that Islam is winning. In fact, Islam has already lost. All that is left is for a small group of people to collect its remains and bury them piece by piece………….
Jayell says
I believe that this is the second piece of ‘islamic propaganda’ (misinformation) on this subject in the UK press within a week, and with almost identical content. I can’t recall who wrote the other article – it was some muslim human rights lawyer (there must be a joke in there). This must be the latest tack in their ongoing propaganda campaign following on from the blanket publicity of the national paedophile grooming gang debacle. The celebrity sex witch-hunt campaign seems to have come to a halt after the Cliff Richard and Edward Heath campaigns exploded in people’s faces, plus it’s becoming too predictable. So if the (pretty disgusting) mud-slinging smoke-screen tactic has now failed, they’re now reduced to in-your-face lies to try and force their grotty product down people’s throats. When they’re reduced to the level of third-rate door-to-door salesmen (like this character here) trying any bullsh*t to get their foot in the door, you know they’re at the end of the line. All they have left after that is the strong-arm stuff, and that’s definitely illegal. Not that that would bother them.
gravenimage says
Yes–I have been heartened by the overwhelming preponderance of Islamo-savvy comments. It is great to see.
MFritz says
Rachid will call them “islamophobe” and the media will only print his statement. End of Line.
mortimer says
Agree with Fritz. Leftard journalists engage in SPIKING any stories that question ISLAMIC MIGRATION. They want to block as much as possible the conservative, nationalist vote by importing leftist voters from Muslim countries. Guess what, though? Most Muslims prefer Islamic fascism to Islamic communism!
No Fear says
The beauty of the internet is that muslim source texts are freely available for ALL. It is quite easy to read about the disgusting behaviour of the prophet in the Hadith e.g. Bukhari and Muslim. I urge people to read as much of Hadith and Quran as possible. (anti nausea pills may be needed)
Peter Buckley says
You’ve got it. Perhaps most importantly, it’s allowing ex-muslims to get together and form “pressure groups” that can openly challenge other muslims. You will know Islam has lost when these ex-muslim groups are no longer necessary and voluntarily disband.
Benedict says
Can Islam Help Us Prevent More Sexual Abuse Scandals? –
Yes, sure! By legalizing sexual abuse under sharia the scandalous aspects of the abuse will miraculously disappear.
gravenimage says
Spot on, Benedict.
Singh the Sikh says
For a deeper understanding of Islam from one of the world’s finest minds:
https://www.newslaundry.com/2017/04/14/ambedkar-on-islam-the-story-that-must-not-be-told
mortimer says
Thanks, Singh, fine article. Critical thought is alive but somewhat guarded in India. Ambedkar deserves to be better known.
eduardo odraude says
Useful article, Singh. Thanks.
mortimer says
Rename a SKUNK as ‘a rose’, the stench will be the same.
Islam renames GENOCIDAL RAPE as ‘those that your right hand possesses’.
Islam renames PEDOPHILIA as ‘early marriage’.
Islam renames HONOR KILLING as ‘restoring the family name’.
Islam renames ETHNIC CLEANSING as ‘fighting in the way of Allah’.
See? No scandal…just a dignified cover-up of VICIOUS and AMORAL deeds.
Next episode… let’s discuss the cover-up of pedophilia and rape of little boys in the madrassas.
mortimer says
The Left may have DUMPED WEINSTEIN because he was getting too CONSERVATIVE in his views (e.g. re Israel), rather than because he was too highly sexed.
gravenimage says
Abusing women is not a sign of being “highly sexed”, Mortimer–unless you believe that Muslim rapists are just extremely virile, which I know you don’t.
Horatio says
It’s not a question of sanity, I suspect. The Independent is now partly Saudi-owned.
John W says
The left loves Islam and from my understanding it’s the women’s responsibility to dress in a manner that does not excite a man like Harvey (or any man for that matter). For some bizarre reason these women don’t seem to understand its all their fault, not Harvey’s. If they had just worn a hijab and other drab clothing this would all be a non issue.
gravenimage says
Robert Spencer in FrontPage: Can Islam Help Us Prevent More Sexual Abuse Scandals?
…………………….
As I have noted previously–and as David Wood has also pointed out–Islam would not lessen sexual abuse – just the opposite – it just is not a scandal under Islam.
e says
For his purposes as a propagandist for Islam, it doesn’t matter that the content of his article is garbage. He knows perfectly well that most people only read the headlines.
Axis porcinus says
When refugee muslim man rapes free western woman it is called Foreign Relations. AKA islamic Love.
Aquilan says
Qasim Rashid, the author of the article, is practicing Taqqiyah or lying to cover up for Islam. As a person of minority ethnic and a minority religion in a Muslim majority country, I state the claims of Qasim Rashid are almost all entirely bogus! Cases of incest are common in Muslim society, whether by grandfathers, uncles, fathers, or brothers against females supposed to be in their care, It is not just hearsay, as these are court cases with convictions. Females who have sex out of wedlock, get pregnant and deliver child are punished for zina or illicit sexual intercourse while the males get away free unless caught in the act. Children born out of wedlock are not allowed to insert the fathers name in the birth cert, even if any male is willing to claim paternity! The child is cruelly marked in official documents as illegitimate although the child is totally the innocent party. Muslim females are pressured by parents, relatives, society, govt schools and govt as employer to cover up with only the face, hands and feet to be seen! A Muslim man can divorce any of his wives (total of 4 wives allowed at a time for a Muslim man) by just saying ‘talak’ 3 times! But a Muslim woman cannot ask for divorce from her husband unless in restricted circumstances and only after lengthy process and procedures in the Islamic Courts! Many other facts to show Qasim Rashid is lying for Islam here, but space and time don’t allow to be stated here!
Jacqueleen says
The only thing this idiot’s account will do is increase the abuse, killings and beatings of women and children because in reality there are a few Muslim Homosexuals who will have to have abhorrent sex with a women for fear of losing their heads, top and bottom.
This story just proves how Satanic this so-called religion or rather, CULT IS. Everything it commands is contrary to goodness, kindness, humility, generosity, the dignity of every human person….and most of all….love….all of the attributes that describe God as we know Him. However, if you look at what the Koran commands, you will see the character of Satan in all aspects….hate, killings of infidels, honor killings of family members, child marriage and sex relations, beatings, punishments, Lying, deceiving, manipulations,etc. How does that get you? All fits the description of Satan… Muslim men love the fact that they are considered superior to women and will be very reluctant to change. ISOLATION IS KEY…EVICT AND BAN EVERY MUSLIM TO SAUDI ARABIA FOR FINANCING THEM AND TO YEMEN FOR TRAINING THEM….Let them kill each other living in tents and caves in the desert.
Pray for their conversion….God will find them even in the desert.