Some would say that as a Western man, I’m in no position to judge the beating and killing of women, but I am much more than the sum of my earthly domain. It is apparent that all the major religions of this world have been tainted by countless unholy acts, such as idolatry and murder. The arrogant neurosis of the dysfunctional group dynamic, is often found in the form of general collectivism in cults and religious groups. Hence most religions by default exude a corrupted group conscience, virtually imposing it as collective arrogance, and denial. Religion means salvation to many, but don't be deceived; blind faith in primitive dogma, is also the great wall, between God and the heart of man. Like everyone, I am a child of our Creator; and I know all too well what He has written on my heart! We all see the great suffering that our people endure, not in the will of God, but in the name of religion. It would be morally irresponsible of me not to rebuke any culture or faith in this world that practices such apparent evils; as barbaric, arrogant and delusional.
The long suffering women of Islam might have the greatest standing on the issue, and a reason to be heard. That is, until they lose consciousness.
On April 7, 2007, a teenage Yazidi Kurdish girl named Du’a Al-Aswad was stoned to death by a lynch-mob in Iraq, because she had violated her family’s honor. She was not the first, nor the the last, as thousands of women and children continue to meet the same tragic fate.
A year after the stoning, Saudi reformist and human rights activist Wajeha Al-Huweidar wrote a scathing article in which she harshly criticized the sexist character of Arab culture and particularly the phenomenon of “honor killings.”
"Du’a Al-Aswad is a victim of the wild male madness called ‘honor.’ This concept is prevalent throughout the Greater Middle East [Al-Sharq Al-Awsat Al-Kabir], or perhaps I should say the Greater Filthy East [Al-Sharq Al-Awsakh Al-Kabir], since it is worthy of this label from every perspective – in particular [when it comes to] the treatment of women. From Pakistan and Afghanistan through Iran, the Middle East, and all the way to Morocco, this entire part of the world [is full of] defeated and dejected men, whose only way to gain some sort of victory is by beating their women to death".
"The depraved men who participated in the stoning of Du’a – all of them [guilty of] premeditated and deliberate murder – were raised to believe that the lives of their women are theirs to control. That is why they competed with one another at stoning Du’a, and fought to film her as she gasped out her last breaths. These horrible men conspired to kill a young girl who had committed no crime and hurt no one. Each of them picked up a boulder and hurled it at her. [Feeling] prideful and glorious, they bashed in this young [girl’s] head, and her blood pooled on the ground as she lay there dead…"
"But killing her was not enough for them. After she was dead, they mutilated her young body, kicking her and piling more rocks on top of her. Then they broke out in cries of ‘Allah akbar,’ and ‘there is no god but Allah’ as though they had just won a strategic battle".
"Had Du’a been an animal, someone would have [probably] taken notice and tried to rescue her from these inhuman men. But she was a woman, and in the Greater Filthy East, the life of a woman is worth far less than the life of an animal".
Wajeha Al-Huweidar doesn't say barbaric or subhuman, but she doesn't have to. She says much more.
"Those who believe that men have more rights than women, and raise their children to believe the same, are raising [more] men who will kill another Du’a in some other place. All those who believe that they have the right to hit a woman in order to ‘educate’ her or ‘correct her ways’ might be involved in the murder or harming of a woman".
"Any legislator who passes a law dealing leniently with ‘honor killings’ is just as culpable as those who actively participated in the murder of the victims – [just as culpable as] the murderers who have the blood of Du’a and of other women on their hands".
"All governments that discriminate between men and women in rights and duties, that shelter the perpetrators of ‘honor killings,’ and that give men either partial or complete control over women’s lives… collaborate with the perpetrators of these despicable crimes…"
Riz Khan - Jordan Honour Killings - 15 May 07
Islam & Mental Illness (Arabic with Subs.)
For the heart and soul of Man, there is indeed hope for the future. We must follow what has been placed in our hearts by the Holy One; and seek liberty and justice for all women. For us to become complacent with apathy, would mean more death sentences for thousands of God's greatest gift to man. ` Hope' for abused women in Dubai - 10 11 07
People come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. Take no one for granted and embrace all equally with joy!
Julie A. Manhan ...
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