Fundamentalisms

International: Progressive male Muslim preachers: oxymoron or reality?

Feminist concern about the violation of women’s rights by male clerics in Muslim countries is slowly producing a response from some states. At the same time, rights activists are increasingly reporting examples of clerics who are standing up for women’s rights. This isn’t about the progressive male and female scholars that are increasingly visible in the Muslim world, nor about the occasional female imam; it’s about male preachers on the streets and in the villages.

المملكة العربية السعودية: قضايا العدل تشكو

نريد أن نسمع رأي وزارة العدل فيما يجري في قضائنا. مللنا من تكرار القضايا الفضائحية التي تجعلنا مضحكة أمام العالم ومسؤولونا لا يعلقون وكأن الأمر يجري في كوكب آخر والمطالبات كثيرة والقضايا العجيبة أكثر، منها:

France: Some profit from wives despite polygamy ban

The burqa, or face-covering veil, is getting all the attention in the debate over Muslim immigrants in France. But another controversial tradition among some immigrants is less noticed and far more widespread: Polygamy. The issue resurfaced last week after a woman received a traffic citation in the western city of Nantes for driving with a veil over her face. Officials then accused her husband of having at least three other wives, and said he may be profiting from them financially while the state pays the bill.

Iran/UN: Open Letter by Dr Shirin Ebadi to Secretary-General of the UN

Since the UN General Assembly must adopt a decision on the Islamic Republic of Iran’s bid for membership in the UN Human Rights Council, and because it is not possible to make a correct decision without knowing the facts about the government’s performance, particularly in the past year, I would like to draw the attention of the distinguished Member States’ representatives to the following points: The Islamic Republic of Iran is signatory to the international covenants on Civil and Political Rights, Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and the Rights of the Child. Sadly, however, it does not abide by its obligations, in law or in practice.

United Kingdom: 'Islamic' package holiday promotes guardianship practices

Sun, Sea and Halal is a project initiated by 'Islamic Circles' "to encourage Muslims to enjoy an Islamic Beach holiday around the Muslim world.... Away from the alcoholic resorts, located in the Mediterranean seaside city of Alanya, Turkey... enjoy a Golden beach holiday with all the activities but within an Islamic environment." Based in the UK, it states its Aims and Objectives as "Enjoying and relaxing in an Islamic Beach holiday without compromising your values.". On their website they state that "Sisters are permitted to travel and the Tour Lead will act as the Amir... Sisters who are travelling are advised to request permission from their Mahrams and if possible travel with them."

غادة جمشير

International: The “war on terror”, gender justice and women’s rights

In the first of a two-part conversation, Deniz Kandiyoti and Gita Sahgal explore the challenges posed by the international conjuncture following the “war on terror” for gender justice and women’s rights.

Indonésie: Loi antiblasphème

Des défenseurs des droits de l'homme ont exprimé leurs inquiétudes mardi après le rejet par la Cour constitutionnelle indonésienne d'une demande de révision de la loi antiblasphème, qui punit toute "déviance" vis-à-vis des six religions acceptées dans le pays. Après des semaines de débats, parfois houleux, la Cour a rejeté lundi la requête déposée par des groupes représentant des musulmans modérés, des religions minoritaires et des défenseurs de la laïcité.

Iran: La tenue des femmes influence les séismes, selon un imam

L’augmentation des relations sexuelles illicites est la cause de l’accroissement des tremblements de terre, selon l’ayatollah Kazem Sedighi, imam de la prière du vendredi de Téhéran cité samedi par le quotidien Aftab, relayé par l’AFP.

Iran: Women to blame for earthquakes, says cleric

A senior Iranian cleric says women who wear revealing clothing and behave promiscuously are to blame for earthquakes. Iran is one of the world's most earthquake-prone countries, and the cleric's unusual explanation for why the earth shakes follows a prediction by the president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, that a quake is certain to hit Tehran and that many of its 12 million inhabitants should relocate.