Women in the Culture of Islam

In Islam, the man has been declared as the head of the family; the maintainer, the provider, the caretaker, the leader. He is the one who disciplines his woman if she goes astray.

Men are in charge of women by [right of] what Allah has given one over the other and what they spend [for maintenance] from their wealth. So righteous women are devoutly obedient, guarding in [the husband's] absence what Allah would have them guard. But those [wives] from whom you fear arrogance – [first] advise them; [then if they persist], forsake them in bed; and [finally], strike them. But if they obey you [once more], seek no means against them. Indeed, Allah is ever Exalted and Grand. (4:34)

I am conflicted over this verse. Firstly, this sounds more fair than what is normally practiced; men hear something unpleasant to their ears about their women, the first thing they do is hit them (oftentimes without even validating). They hit them so hard that it leaves the women black and blue. They hit them on their face as well. All commentary so far unanimously agrees that a man must not hit a woman on her face, and that the act must not leave a mark on her body. So what is the penalty for a man who doesn't follow the proposed way?

What is this then?

Secondly, what action can a woman take if her husband goes astray? It is irrational and illogical to believe that women cannot feel as angry as men, or that in their state of anger they don't have destructive thoughts as men do. So how do they show this anger? All she can do is take divorce, or forgive. Believing for a moment that a man's rage is far worse than that of a woman's, I fail to understand how the authority of divorce is in the hands of the husband, since in the advent of such an occurrence, it is the woman on the receiving end.

Divorced women shall wait concerning themselves for three monthly periods. Nor is it lawful for them to hide what Allah Hath created in their wombs, if they have faith in Allah and the Last Day. And their husbands have the better right to take them back in that period, if they wish for reconciliation. And women shall have rights similar to the rights against them, according to what is equitable; but men have a degree (of advantage) over them. And Allah is Exalted in Power, Wise. (2:228)

This constant reminder of how a man is superior, has a degree of advantage, is more knowledgeable, has more control, is more trustworthy, is more powerful, is not at all making me feel very useful. Perhaps to those who like submission, and who like to believe that they are worthless. But would that kind even exist by default? Or is it a character-trait that has been ingrained in our genes?

For all such Islamic characterizations of a man, it has been argued that a man is capable of maintaining control in his interfaith marriage; retaining his religion, and also making sure his children are brought up as Muslims. This makes me wonder. What right does this non-Muslim wife/mother have in such a relationship? She is obviously allowed to practice her religion, and any force on her to convert is haram. Is she an outsider in this marriage who prays separately, joins her family in her religious celebration, and most certainly has a different appearance than that of a Muslim woman? Would not the kids from this union be intrigued as to why their parents are different from that of other kids in the neighborhood, or in school? Or is this oppression a form of making the woman feel bad and disconnected, and thereby unconsciously self-forced into converting?

Taking this similar scenario with a Muslim woman married to a non-Muslim man, what the Islamic clergy fears is the similar unconscious submission of the Muslim woman by either giving up her faith or converting. One thing I absolutely do know, women who believe in Islam, have not given up their faith prior to falling for a non-Muslim man, know for a fact that turning back on Islam is a big sin, it is absolutely unacceptable. Under no circumstances will she convert or leave Islam, unless she becomes doubtful of the Text at her own account. Saying that it is inevitable that she becomes doubtful is not a legitimate argument because her doubts will arise from the behavior of the society around her and her culture, of how difficult they make her life. While non-Muslim women may easily consider converting for her Muslim partner for the sake of marriage.

Keeping our talk to the present times, we know that there are many non-Muslim women who end up hurt, forced and misused by Muslim husbands. I agree that many Muslim-woman/Non-Muslim-man marriages also end up in the dump. We all also agree that intra-faith marriages also fail, and the percentage of which continues to rise. Marriage is a gamble. You cannot guarantee success unless each of the involved parties put their egos and prejudices aside.

Do not do to others, what you would not have done unto you. As Karen Armstrong quotes repeatedly, is the golden rule for success at any level. Dethrone yourself, and put the other in that position.

There are more men in the Islamic world who are not excited over equal rights in comparison to those in the non-Islamic world. Islamic cultures are unjust towards their women. These women kill personal desires only for the sanctity and well-being of her husband and family. She reduces herself to a nobody; a nobody who keeps giving. In today's world where there are so many challenges and opportunities, why would a woman feel happy with becoming a nobody? Scholars argue that Islam gave women respect and the Western world has sexually objectified their women and turned them into social butterflies. Sorry, but they aren't being forced into doing so. I am not glorifying Western culture at all, I only see it as a stark contrast to Islam, and I am desperately seeking the mid-culture, the mid-road, where things aren't so black and white.

Regardless of how wonderful Islam is or isn't, that fact of the matter is, Islamic cultures are oppressive, they deprive the women of her rights. When her rights in her own culture aren't being met, what difference does it make if she marries a Muslim or a non-Muslim. So what if her husband isn't fasting with her or praying with her? I read somewhere, What can a Christian husband do for a Muslim wife? What is the Muslim husband doing for a Muslim wife? At least in the non-Muslim world, her rights are protected by the state, and she won't go hungry and naked in case of a divorce, where otherwise all she has is a few hundreds from the haq mehr.

They keep shouting and screaming, it's not Islam, it's the Muslims. Well I really don't care, because it is effecting me largely and negatively either way. Everywhere in the Quran the first command is for the man, and then to the woman. Every cause has an effect, every action has a reaction. So when the first order isn't being implemented, it is damn right going to effect of how women then implement it. It's a balance that needs to be maintained; the crop isn't going to grow if it isn't being taken care of.

It is seriously fucked up of how Muslim women are expected to follow their orders down to the last letter, while the Muslim men run around like horny horses with nobody to answer to.

Vanity, Modesty and Islam

Vanity is impermissible under religious law. Taken that the hijab and burqa (or whatever it is called in different countries - I am talking of the head and body cover) is the normal clothing style approved for a woman, and that we are not allowed to wear make-up when going out (or basically when we are in the presence of other na-mehram men), it does make life rather bland. The only time we are allowed to dress up, wear make-up and perfume is when we are either only in the presence of other women, or with husbands. As soon we leave this company, the fancy clothing, the make-up, the perfume has to somehow magically disappear. With perfumes though, in case of some really stubborn ones, the fragrance can linger on even if you scrub yourself to nothingness.

The supposed rationale behind all this is that you should not try to beautify yourself any more than how Allah has already made you. Yeah, too bad if you haven't already landed a Giselle-Bundchen face! Quran is supposed to be for all times, it's theory cannot fail, and you cannot challenge it. Well for the Islamic well-being, a woman would be better off with godzilla features really.

But there is a problem. Regardless of how ill-looking and unpresentable a woman is, no matter how old or young, and how covered or uncovered she is, she still faces harassment. So how exactly a hijab and lack of cosmetic indulgence is working, I have no idea. Even more sad is how it is worse in Muslim countries. No matter how appropriately you're dressed, you can't escape harrassment. Sure they'll say they've lost Islam's way, they're under-educated. But is that what has become of Islamic countries? It's so easy to always blame the woman. Does Atefah Sahaleh ring a bell? The execution of an under-age girl in Iran, and so many other similar cases, where women end up on the execution stand, and their abusers stand amongst the public and mercilessly watch.

It is really stupid to say that there is harasment in the West as well because according to us, they are immoral as it is. But guess what, the harassment of Islamic countries far exceeds that of a non-Muslim one. So vanity or no vanity, every woman gets her fair share of it. Practically looking at it, we should just be modest, adopt the middle path. Neither overdo it, nor be too relaxed. Because as for the men, they are going to be annoying anyways.

This can be tricky though, since everyone has their own understanding of being modest. Europeans may find the Indian belly showing in their sari immodest, and the Indian may find the European mini-skirt immodest. But if I'm not mistaken, mini-skirts and uber-shorts aren't consider completely modest here in the West either. It's about how you wear it. If you pair it with high-heels or a posture that says look at my boobs, then go back to see my ass, you know what that means.

I think intuition-ally, we know when we are doing too much. We know when we are just trying to be sexy and appealing in the wrong way. That gut instinct cannot be ruled out. And that is where the understanding of modesty comes about. We should simply aim towards being graceful and pleasant. And a burqa combined with a hijab/niqab is just at one far end of the spectrum.

What pisses me off the most is how a Muslim woman's modesty (at first glance) is only judged by her outer garb. While there is no such criteria for a man. Otherwise I'd be seeing all these white caps and trousers above ankles. It doesn't matter what she is from the inside, in the strict Muslim countries, lack of adherence to the proper dress code can mean a harsh penalty. Does anyone remember that instance where a girl's school caught fire in Saudi Arabia, and the girls weren't allowed to leave the blazing building because they were not wearing the correct Islamic dress? Read here. How fucked up is that?

Muslim women suffer a lot more than any given Muslim man. The laws are harsher for her. Life is much harder for her. Inequality is screaming from every corner and crevice! Those who don't get it, don't know any better. Their reality is so well indoctrinated into them that it's really sad.

Men can have multiple wives. He can choose from a larger audience. If his spouse disobeys, he can hit her. He can take his shirt off in public and think no woman is going to feel sexually drawn to him on his flexing muscles (if he has a good body, i.e.). He can plough whenever he feels like and the woman cannot reject. He is the master and she must be submissive.

And what does a woman get? An ordained burqa? And if she behaves well, mercy of her husband? what kind of a twisted relationship is this?

The current version of Islam doesn't sit too well with me, of how our cultures bring it to us. The real Islam seems like a fine silk thread: you have to look real hard to know it's there. A woman has so much more rights than we are made to believe. Can someone please link me to a female scholar of Islam who hasn't studied her subject through other men?

Any moderate family I come across is not a result of a true religious following, but rather the lack of following. My parents believe themselves to be religious, and I am an outcast because I wasn't in sync with them. The number of times I've seen my father hit my mother is enough for me to know for a fact that Islam is the single most corrupt ideology of any given household!

I haven't disowned Islam. I have disowned those who have left me in this predicament. All of them!

Vanity may be a sin. But being a little selfish every now and then isn't. I'm not getting a second life.

p.s. I have a strong feeling that God has something else in store for women!

Aquila, For Stylish, Moderate Muslim Women

Reuters

















Women on top, eh? *chuckles*
I hope they are all enthusiastic about the context I am reading it with :D

Modest and Fabulous! That is the slogan of this new women's magazine, Aquila-Asia, that is being issued from Indonesia. Liana Rosnita Redwan-Beer (Singaporean), the founder and publisher of this magazine, launched the first edition just last month.

She says, We're not a magazine that preaches, we don't tell our readers what is right or wrong; but we help them live their lives to the fullest by including information about Islam in the context of modern living.

There's a fashion spread that features a heavily made-up model in tight-fitting clothes with a headscarf that still shows off a lot of her hair; another about the all-covering burqini swimsuit; an article on premarital sex and virginity, and an opinion piece on what to do if your daughter dates a non-Muslim.

From the looks of it, I'm quite drawn to it. It has a very modern, relaxed, and open feel to it. Should do good in projecting a better image of Muslim women than just being on the news because of the burqa-controversy. I would be interested in reading what they have to say. Though the article isn't really precisely giving out what side they lean on. Do they say yes to dating non-Muslim men? Is pre-marital sex not a taboo anymore? They are dealing with a whole bunch of issues, but I wonder if they aren't preaching, what exactly are they saying? Maybe they're just testing waters for now, and see what their audience is really like.

I am looking forward to this. As for now, it's thumbs up! Congratulations to your first edition.

Their facebook page here.

South Park and Muhammad, the Controversy

Fox News












South Park is an American animated sitcom created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone for the Comedy Central television network (if you already didn't know that :P). It's quite known for it's sarcastic humor, and there isn't a topic they haven't ripped apart, and I love them for that.

For their 200th mega episode they decided to do a mash up of all major previous hits, which of course means a mega controversial show. We all remember the Super-best-Friends episode where they combined all the important religious figures - yes, including Muhammad (p.b.u.h) - and I personally found it quite alright, nothing to get all defensive/offended over. Considering all the hoohaa over Islam recently (I wonder who's to blame *rolls-eyes*), I am not surprised that the show decided to put Muhammad in their mega-episode once again, even though it isn't a secret that you aren't supposed to be sarcastic about Islam or it's prophet, because if you do, they go all Theo-Van-Gogh on you! Not pretty eh.

So as (almost) expected (though I would've dearly hoped otherwise), the creators of the show have been warned by a radical Islamic website over the possibility of a Theo-esque destiny to them if the show is aired. It's really funny how they go to saying that it isn't a threat, but it's a very likely possibility. What is that supposed to mean? I don't expect any tolerant behavior from such nutjobs. But for the love of the rest of Muslims, please don't defame the entirety with such horrendous statements!

Anything happens anywhere in the world that goes against the liking of these radicalists, Muslim countries are painted red and non-Muslims get another kick to think of something even better to piss them off. When the Danish cartoon came out, I rememeber how the Pakistani cities were spray painted with Denmark = Hell (or a similar equation). Why?

During the time of Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h) there were plenty of people who ridiculed him and had a hateful attitude towards him. He didn't go out to kill them, or ask someone to go kill them. Instead he showed patience and preserverence always. And it is nothing else he asks from us. I hate receiving all those chain mails about boycotting Denmark because how would I face Allah and His prophet when I will be questioned about what I did when they made fun of Muhammad (p.b.u.h). Well I showed patience. That will be my answer.

It's insane how some Muslim go about saying how Islam brought enlightenment to Europe. Well, true. Al-Adulus (Spain) got super prosperous when the Muslims came there. They accomplished and taught a lot. And then it was all taken away when the Christians invaded, and the Muslims from Africa came along to see how their brothers were doing. These African Muslim were completely shocked at what was happening in Al-Andulus, they thought they've drifted far away from Islam, and were responsible (if not fully) for the downfall of the great empire. So as quickly Muslims brought enlightenment to Europe, with the same speed the cross-continent brethren brought a hault to it; gave away the enlightenment and took themselves back to the dark ages.

Yes, unlimited freedom of speech can cause problems, you can (most likely) end up hurting someone. But this is not a valid enough reason to kill anyone or even give death threats. If we want others to project us better, we need to make ourselves better. What we see in media about us in not all lies; there is no smoke without fire. Media is known to exaggerate and give a bollywood twist to everything (really!). South Park isn't singling us out. It has made fun of every amoeba that exists. So there is no reason to get worked up.

In another blog I read something interesting that we claim to respect and believe in all the prophets ever sent by God, and if we don't believe in any one of them, we are automatically excluded from the faith. So why is it that we don't get angered over media making fun of Jesus or Abraham? Are they not dear to us? Even the liberals are often quick to make statements like "Oh, they don't even respect their own prophet, so why should I expect them to respect mine." Say what?

Muslim Women Marrying Non-Muslim Men

It is a phenomenon that isn't so wild, or out of the blue. Around the globe, many Muslim women are choosing to marry non-Muslim men.

When you type this query into any search engine, you will find results of three categories: first, soaking in Islamic sites condemning the act, quoting various verses and ahadith. Second, concerned parents whose daughters have married a non-Muslim. Third, concerned Muslim women who have fallen in love with a non-Muslim man and are trying a way to please their God, their family, and finally themselves. What a task!

Let's talk about the first, and most important category - the Islamic websites. I have to say, I have have gone through so many such websites, and they just look like copy/paste jobs of each other. No innovation, no thought provocation, just the same thing over and over again. The three famous quotations from the Quran are Surah al-baqrah (2:221), Surah al-Ma'idah (5:5) and Surah al-Mumtahinah (60:10). I know them by heart now practically, didn't even have to look them up. Anyways. Such website quote these verses, and also talk about various scholars of who said what, and I have to say, the words seem a bit disconnected. It sounds like: because oranges are orange, and apples and red, therefore you can't eat apples. Huh?? Another worrisome thing is how these websites half-quote the verses. They explicitly mention how a Muslim woman cannot marry so and so, but miss out on the part (which usually comes before) of how the Muslim men are also not allowed to marry so and so.

There are two words that are to be taken into account here: mushrikeen and kitabi. Of the three, verse 5:5 is the only place where the word kitabi is used, where the men are allowed to marry kitabi women, meaning women from the people of the Book. Verse 2:221 talks of the mushrikeen who are not permitted to either men or women of Islam. But nowhere is there a discussion about Muslim women not permitted to marry kitabi men. So is the Quran quiet about this? What are we to interpret from this silence? It is allowed but not encouraged?

I agree women can be weak, and give in to their husbands, which in case for a Muslim women could mean loss of her religion. But does Allah really rule out any intelligence or supremacy of a women? Does He really think I am not worthy or capable of keeping my stand and taking care of my rights? Maybe He thinks I can. But also knows that not every woman would be capable of that. Perhaps that is why He is quiet. He lets me decide for myself.

If Islam is about peace and equality, it should show through and through. Mere-mortal-men and so-called scholars have no authority to dictate like tyrants over women. They are eager to call for protection of Muslim women's rights by syaing they can't marry anyone but a Muslim man. But where is their call to all Muslim men when women are being mercilessly beaten at their hands; when their marital rights are violated; when men go about practicing polygamy without keeping in mind that there are rules that must be followed before they can even think of a second of third or fourth wife; when women are held responsible for every sexual titilation a man may feel; when a 2-day old girl is killed in an honor killing. Sex is not the only ingredient a man is created with. And sex-supremacy-power are the worst combination of human traits ... in this world at least.

The worst part is when governments are involved in, and are against rights for women. They think that family life and the sanctity of the society will deteriorate if women are given so many rights. We are nothing but child-bearing, mindless creatures, created for their sexual pleasures.

Not me!

At the end, I think a Muslim woman has every right to choose a husband that she finds fit to her needs and liking. This husband can be of any color, race, cultural background, as long as he is a chaste kitabi, from the people of the book.

Do You Doubt Islam is Getting Out of Hands?

No. Islam isn't getting out of hands. Muslims are.

According to a 2009 demographic study, there are 1.57 Muslims around the globe, making up 23% of the world's population. Asia-Pacific with 24.1% Muslim population, Middle-East-North Africa with 91.2%, Sub-Saharan Africa with 30.1%, Europe with 5.2%, and the Americas with 0.5%. With a such a diversity of Muslims, following different cultures, traditions, languages, lifestyles, foods, dresses, and even different sects within Islam (Sunni, Shia, Wahabi, etc.), why is it that in the non-Muslim majority regions (Europe and Americas), it is one kind of Islamic format taking over, a.k.a Wahabism (Salafism)?

Who would blame the Europeans and the Americans if they are scared of what they see? The only people with some rationale, and those who don't brush all Muslims under the same rigid carpet, are the ones who have some travel history, and know better.

I admit that these are not the only kinds of Muslims there. But would you deny the fact that these are the precise Muslims that are getting voiced, and the maximum publicity? Perhaps just another media stunt to portray one kind of Islam, thereby validating Islamophobia, thereby having Geert Wilders supporters, ultimately having more than just handful who are genuinely xenophobic and agree to whatever crap is shown on TV.

Islam does use explicit black and white content about heaven and hell, good and bad, and so forth. It does seem/sound rigid. But if one goes in it, it isn't all that dark and gloomy as the Muslims portray it to be; especially the kind shown in this video.

I say it again, why do Muslims go looking for a life and livelihood in non-Muslim countries if just looking at a glass of wine is so offensive to them!? It is selfish of them. I say it loud and clear. They are hypocrites! Instead of such Salam Ahmed kind of retards, we need more peace-oriented, peace-infusing, love-infusing, tolerance-infusing preachers. I don't blame the followers of such people. They are scared of hell anyways, and when people like Mr Salam here bring it trifold onto them with their passionate speech of how they will burn in hell, they just follow like sheep - better safe than sorry they say. Better educated than sheep, I say!

There are 946,000 Muslims in Netherlands. 30,000 of them today are following this Imam in Tilburg. Maybe not a huge number in comparison, but considering the reinstated need to invoke the Muslim in us post 9/11, I only see it growing.

Islam calls for peace. Islam says, leave those alone who do not wage war against you. And if they attack you, smite them with all your force! And that is not unfair. What is unfair, is to wage a war without the consensus of all Muslims and the Muslim leaders.

Who asked me if they could go kill a dozen non-believers in my name? Who asked me if beheading Daniel Pearl is ok? Who asked me if they could fly a plane in to the WTC?

Nobody.

The Blue-Eyed Muslims

Islam in Nederland (TV Documentary)
Uploaded by onetime.

It feels so far from me. Watching this video felt like experiencing something completely alien to me, only that it is my absolute reality. I should be happy for them, to find such happiness. But what is so exciting about this when everyone else around them is so sad? Why does Islam always come across as so harsh, so brutal, so dividing? Why shouldn't it make me feel happy? Why shouldn't I feel relaxed and peaceful after watching this? Perhaps it's in the viewpoint with which the documentary is made. The reality of the girls' parents is so distressing, I can't overlook it.

Especially the point where one of the girls decides to take the full face cover after having gone to Mecca. That is not even asked by Allah. You are not even supposed to take it while in Masjid-al-Haram. And her mother was absolutely against the idea of her daughter taking the face-veil (niqab), not knowing she already does.

Converts tend to go through such a Salafist form of Islam. The Arabs are neither superior in race, nor religion. It was clearly communicated by Prophet Muhammed (p.b.u.h) in his last sermon. The world is such a hypocrite place to be in. I really wonder what was Allah thinking when He created it. What is He thinking now?

Freedom of Marital Choices for Muslim Women!

I know What My Grandmother looked like!

Europe and My Islam

I've been here almost three months now. It's rather good. People have been nice to me. Maybe a bit too down-to-earth and honest in cases, but nothing as close to degrading me, or making me feel unwelcome. I don't know what opinion a Turk or Moroccan would hold, since their relevance to Netherlands is that of mine to England.

I haven't really been into Dutch news before, but now being here makes it only more logical to look into it. I'm confused. There are protests by Muslims of how they need to prove their ground, establish their rights, protect their community, keep free of the infidels, defend their culture, ensue a state-within-a-state. Then how come is it so that the Dutch come across as the victim still?

I see old Dutch people, and the obvious horror on their faces - probably wondering what went wrong in the past couple of decades, that they feel like foreigners in their own country? I don't blame them. There are parts of Holland where even I have to remind my foot of the Dutch soil it rests on! It's such a tiny country in comparison to England (well, even otherwise, it is size-Nano!), and one that is largely man-built (land reclaimed from sea), and then to see your hard work go into the hands of ungrateful immigrants must hurt!

This isn't something I have recently realized, I have talked about it previously as well in a different context. I am against immigration that does not comply with the rules, laws, ethics and systems of the host country. The selfish agenda of an immigrant (money and easy life) should not be earned at the cost of destabilizing the host country. You despise immodesty and the Western lifestyle? Don't go there. You don't want your children to even be under the shadow of an infidel? Don't fly West. What's so difficult to understand about that? If you don't like the ways of life of a country, why would you dream of building a life for yourself and your family there? You hate the people, you are too proud to have anything to do with them, then where is your pride when you fall victim to their prosperity?

Muslims moved to Europe and America in search of a better future and financial stability. They moved because they found the system and law of these infidel countries better than that of their Muslim countries. So how come they want to change this system now? Why do they want to impose Sharia here? Many people move to the West for it's freedom. They want that life in which they can breathe. Those who don't want the Sharia, where are they to go? And if Sharia is only to be implemented for the Muslims, then where are those Muslims to go who don't want Sharia? So you think they aren't Muslims anymore? Imagine the amount of death sentences ...

I am in no way implying that immigrants (who become a considerable minority) should not fight for laws and rights that accept them as different humans, and cater to their cultural needs. But I do not support this fight when it becomes selfish, and just wants more and more and more to the extent that it wants all.

Why, as a 2nd-gen immigrant Muslim, should I dream of England or the Netherlands, to become Islamic states? Why should I feel comfortable at the thought of Islam will dominate the world protests, when that is not the Islam I ask for. Where is my freedom of practice? The Prophet (p.b.u.h) predicted for his ummah to be segregated into 72 sects. So which sect gets to rule? I definitely want the Saudi version of Islam to take a hike. No to Salafists! I saw this video, and I was shocked out of my wits!

The thing is, how do European Muslims feel unsafe, when it is us that the Europeans are scared of. We haven't been the nicest, nor have we been so active as to take care of how our image evolves with history, why do we then not expect the Europeans to be the least bit rebellious and apprehensive towards us? I agree that the bad Muslims are such a handful, sorry ... they aren't Muslims .. but they really are the ones driving and manipulating our image; using our name to do horrendous acts. And what have we done, to defy that? To oppose that to an extent and extreme that it stops? That Islamic terrorists becomes an invalid term. What are we doing?

If anything has come out of extremist Islam, it is an increase in open apostasy and heresy, and organization of ex-Muslims. How is that helping us?

Wilders is wrong about Islam. Ayaan is wrong about Islam. Saudi clerics are wrong about Islam. Any extremist ideology is in opposition to Islam. And if I am wrong - I am not a Muslim.

The Infidel

A comedy by David Baddiel; a devout Muslim Londoner discovers that he's adopted, and Jewish!

Now that is something I want to watch :D

Read more here.

Saudi Women *finally* Taking Charge

On Saudi 'American Idol', woman rips hard-line clerics.

Millions Poet is a Saudi contest for reciting Bedouin poetry. It's like the Saudi 'American Idol', but of course they can't be singing. Of the contestants, Hissa Halal is one of them, and she has been causing ripples with her courageous poetry. Her words are controversial, and portray what a woman should not be doing; exploring her freedom of thought. She has openly criticized clerics, and condemned fatwas. While some are thrilled by her honesty and applause her, others post redundant death threats to her online.

I read this news a while back and I was completely taken by surprise. I could never have imagined of such a news to have emerged from that land in thousand years! I salute her guts!

As of today, Hissa Hilal has lost the contest, coming at third place, and banking $817,000 (536,000 pounds). Now that is how you lose :D ... read here.

Muslim Women's Freedom To Marry

Een April Grap!

So the tale goes all the way back to 1392 when it all started. And we've lovingly been harassing our family, friends and colleagues, all in the innocent name of April first *innocent* :D

In UK, Australia, South Africa and parts of Canada, the joke only lasts till noon. Someone who plays it after, is called an April Fool. Here in the Netherlands and some other parts of the world, it apparently doesn't matter. I still wanted to post this before noon on my blog :D

I came across two hilarious pranks played by the British media, which so clearly depict that our minds can be manipulated into thinking and believing anything. It's simple psychology. *coughreligioncough*

Anyhoo. The first one is from 1976 when the British astronomer, Sir Patrick Moore, told the listeners of BBC Radio 2 that a unique alignment of two planets would result in an upward gravitational pull, making people lighter at precisely 9:47 AM. LOL. (Even this lol deal is crazy .. it literally means fun here in Dutchland. hahah ... who knew!) So people actually went ahead and believed this. He invited his audience to jump in the air and experience a strange floating experience. ROTFLMAO. Quite a handful ended up calling back to confirm that the experiment had worked!

Now you give it a try ... does it work?


















Back in 1965, BBC purported to conduct a trial of a new technology allowing the transmission of odor over the airwaves to all viewers. Smell-o-Vision. ahahah .. Many viewers reportedly contacted the BBC to report the trial's success! In 2007 BBC repeated an online version of this hoax. WoW!

Your turn! This shouldn't be difficult. I don't need to trick you for this. If you feel it hard enough, you really can smell this mouth watering dish. And even go as far as tasting it. No kidding!















eeyore eeyore :D