Towards a Better Civillisation.
Alot of blogs have recently adressed issues that, ostensibly, describe the social malaise, which is currently affecting the Middle East. Unquestionably, these largely target women, as the victims of the affliction. From attacks in Cairo, business in human traffic, domestic violence to female genital mutilation, all are indicative of a very singular attitude to female kind.
What has lead to such a reaction? What triggered such misogyny? What causes sons to hate their mothers, fathers to target their daughters and husbands to persecute their wives? Have Adam and Eve not co-existed long enough for love and mutual respect to take hold?
In this respect, we cannot say that such an attitude is particular to the Middle East, indeed, it is widespread throughout the world and even in ‘civilized’ first world. One, often, hears tales of rape, domestic violence, injustice in the workplace and was it not so long ago that; European women secured the right to vote?
The question, now, is why the Middle East is lagging behind in developing woman’s place in society?
I believe that this is simply a symptom of a vaster problem and that is the general economic, social and political problems which have afflicted the region since the fall of the colonial era. Could it be that man is expressing his frustration at the situation by mistreating his mate? The abused becoming the abuser? The stronger targeting the weaker in reaction to variables beyond his control?
This, of course, does not excuse anyone from perpetrating acts of gross violence and cruelty. Yet, it should stress the importance of addressing our catastrophic situation in a more holistic way. It is impossible to address this situation from the core.
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Ever since I’ve been to Oman I think I’ve become more optimistic when it comes to this. Thanks to one beautiful thing: education. You send women to school, and they gradually become more independent, compete with males for higher positions, etc. Or maybe “compete” is too harsh of a word that has negative connotations. I remember a lecture given by a Kuwaiti women’s right activist, Rola Dashti. She said something like, “we don’t want to compete with you, we want to share with you.” In Arabic, “al musharaka.” Working hand in hand to build a better civilization.
Within the past 10 years, the Arab world has seen a lot of improvements when it comes to the status of women. Okay, not the entire Arab world, I think Saudi still needs to improve in many ways, but definitely within certain Arab countries that gave women the right to vote, the right to nominate herself for a government position, the right to go to school, the right to work, the right to file for divorce, etc. You see female politicians including ministers and activists, for example, as well as a lot of female professors and doctors in some of the biggest institutions. You see women journalists reporting from places like Iraq and Lebanon (during July’s war.) To me, that’s a good sign.
But are people accepting this?
It’s the mentality that keeps us from appreciating this progress. Just because the government approves of this, for example, doesn’t mean the nation is full of open-minded individuals who will accept the fact that women are climbing up the social ladder very quickly.
Do men really know the value of women in our societies? Islam knows it, and our dear Prophet has always preached it, but apparently Muslim men have a different perception. I don’t know why certain men fear women who can make their own decisions and who can criticize a man or policy when needed. I think that for the longest time men have enjoyed their “stronger” status which they had by default, and with the current female status in a lot of Arab countries, their position in society is being threatened.
I also know that since women were oppressed for quite a while, they take this as an opportunity for real change, so they excel at their jobs, their education, etc. Men need to be more educated when it comes to this. A lot of them already are, but I hesitate to say “most.” Even in the most seemingly “liberal” countries (including Bahrain,) women are discriminated against in many ways, especially in schooling and work.
It has been said that we are part of the twilight generation. The darkness of the “recent” past (perhaps 200 years? and the dawn is just on the rim of the horizon. As Esra’a has said, men have had their way for a long time. And now gradually the tide is turning. Why do we men feel so insecure that we resort to physical power to reassert our dominance. Why can’t we feel that we are part of one spirit, as a “bird with two wings”. I have quoted this metaphor which every Bahai hears over and over, but honestly, I too am still a victim to patterns I have learned from childhood. and the ease of the culture to put women in a second place exists here so conviently …especially the economic differences. Believing with the head in the equality of men and women is one thing, believing with the heart and doing it another river to cross, another mountain to climb.
In Los Angeles this was a big issue in the 1980′s, I remember one large study of boys and girls in kindergarten. The teachers were all women, and they said they treated boys and girls alike in their classes. But the researchers found that what the the teachers said and what actually happened were different. The boys receieved many more opportunities to ask questions, to perform, to take another turn compared to the girls. So the change towards equality is long and slow. one step forward, two steps back
We have to make a joke of the situation, we can’t go against the flow of society continuously..with so many women already compliant and obedient, so many deferances towards men and their rights in almost any direction. Well, take care, I will return this evening.
I ranted to my wife that I did not want our daughters serving tea to middle aged men in some small company, I want them to have an education of some skill. BUt look at the way girls are “guided” away from meaningful careers, except in the entertainment world, the arts….there is a little better chance, but not much…I have to leave. This topic is so important almost a meditation for every day…For men the temptation is too overpowering to keep a respectful attitude for the entire week
The treatment of women under islam disgusts me, especially as a Saudi. We’ll just chalk this up as reason number 83999 why i left the faith. I feel for all the women of Islamic, forced to feel ashamed of their hair and their bodies as though they were illicit pornography. The fact that muslim men by and large behave like animals when they see a woman (dressed normally, i.e. not wearing a cloth on her head) is horrifying.
Anyways, I recently had a business trip to Greece and came across a great site about islam. Of course those of you living in islamic countries will likely have it censored as islam is so chronically insecure about any criticism and kills rather than answer up to their own fallacies. The site is http://www.prophetofdoom.net
Here is an excerp from an article of an American journalist living with Hamas fighters…
If you’re like most Americans, your defenses are raised the moment someone suggests that Islam might be responsible for Muslim militancy. You may think, as I once did, that all religions strike a balance between love and divine retribution, peace and punishment. But with Islam, that’s simply not true. Their scriptures start out foolish, turn hateful, then punitive and violent. There is almost no mention of peace, tolerance, or love. We have been played for fools. And it was easy because only an infinitesimally small percentage of “infidels” have taken the time to learn about Islam.
I wanted to know why Islamic terrorists thought killing us was good. Shouting “Allahu Akbar!” (Allah is Greatest) seemed like a confession, as did their parades. Muslims seemed ever ready to turn murderers into martyrs. Curious, I journeyed to the land of the suicide bombers. There, I asked a Mossad agent to arrange a meeting with a member of Force 17 (Arafat’s Secret Service). This man in turn arranged for me to meet the actual terrorists – al Qaeda, Hamas, Islamic Jihad, al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigade – so that I could ask them directly – eyeball to gun barrel – why they killed. He did, I asked, and they told me, “Islam.” The terrorists said, “We are following Muhammad’s example, just obeying Allah’s orders.” In my presence, blood dripping from their hands, they recited their prophet’s speeches. They confessed – no, bragged – about those they had just murdered for the good of their cause.
Now more curious than ever, I found copies of the five oldest Islamic books and spent two years studying Muhammad and his message. What I found was bone chilling. The depiction of the prophet by the most revered Muslim sources is horrendous. Nearly every page reveals behavior that is immoral, criminal, and violent. I soon learned just how fortunate we are that most Muslims don’t follow in the footsteps of Muhammad – that most don’t know their prophet, their religion, their scriptures, or their history very well. If they did, and followed Islam, the whole world would be enveloped in war.
Over a billion people are slaves to Islam. The word means submission. Their scriptures order them to obey prophet, cleric, and king. As a result, Muslims in Islamic nations live with no freedoms of thought, speech, press, or religion. Unemployment, poverty, and despair run rampant. Every aspect of a Muslim’s life is controlled by Islamic despots, Islamic law, Islamic scripture, Islamic education, and Islamic culture. Women are treated more harshly and awarded fewer rights than Americans give their animals. Muhammad gave men the liberty to beat their wives. Everyone is indoctrinated with the same message of religious intolerance, racial hatred, and violence. They hear it from their dictators, from their media, from their teachers, and clerics. A collusion of influences has annihilated truth and shut out reason.
With their words, Muslims tell Westerners that they and their religion are peace loving. But this is because their holy books order them to deceive us. They are told to tell us “peace” until it’s too late. America’s president seems to have taken their bait, and the media doesn’t seem to care. Yet Islamic history, both ancient and modern, shouts out an entirely different story. So which do you believe? If their words are true, why do you suppose they kill us?
Sarah, our sarah and I have to go out and plan our New Year’s cards. There is much that I think is mistaken about your new found friend, Prophet of Doom.
I have more to say. But I don’t have time now.
By the way welcome to mideastyouth.com