Amidst the congratulations President Bush and others are showering on Afghanistan for adopting a new constitution, one important detail has been overlooked: The constitution states that "no law can be contrary to the beliefs and provisions of the sacred religion of Islam." Although there are provisions protecting women's rights, Afghan women are rightly concerned that there is nothing protecting them from the harsh application of Sharia—or Islamic— law.
Why is this a problem? Ziba Mir Hosseini, author of the book Islam and Gender explains : "We do not have in modern times any state which has introduced Sharia and has been able to respect women's rights." By ignoring this very troubling element of the new consitution in its laudatory statements, the Bush administration reminds us women's rights are important only when protecting them serves their foreign policy goals. article
You may expect Bush to use this event of a new constitution as a campaign promotional point. And since the fine print is in Arabic and not headline news on Fox, Americans will applaud and wave their flags and vote Republican. (Which is, after all, the party of white men with subservient wives, because God says that's the divine will. Frankly, I think they are just a trifle jealous of the Muslims on that accord, but don't expect them to admit it.)
....but hey, do what you want....you will anyway.
Tuesday, January 06, 2004
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