Fundamentalisms

MISE A JOUR: Malaisie: Kartika a été relâchée

le chef du tribunal islamique malaisien a estimé que la peine était beaucoup trop sévère et va donc réexaminer le cas de Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno.

Pakistan: Urgent need to repeal Blasphemy Laws

Women Living Under Muslim Laws (WLUML) International Solidarity Network calls for the government of Pakistan to repeal its laws on blasphemy. The urgent need for law reform has been highlighted by the recent deadly attacks on a Christian community in Punjab, Pakistan, whose members were accused of desecrating the Qur'an. Members of a banned Islamist group, Sipah-i-Sahaba, took the law into their own hands and it is reported that policemen present did not try to control the mob and protect the citizens.

UPDATE: Malaysia: Kartika released, caning sentence postponed

On 20 August, the Syariah High Court in the Malaysian state of Pahang Shariah Court ordered that Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno be remanded at the Kajang women’s prison in the state of Selangor from Monday, 24 August. Madam Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno, 32, had been sentenced to six strokes of the cane and fined RM5,000 (approximately US$ 1,400) after she pleaded guilty to consuming beer two years ago at a hotel in Pahang. Madam Kartika has since been released, but the sentence of caning is reportedly still due to be carried out and has only been postponed until after the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

UAE: Bank says female staff must wear abayas

All female staff at Dubai Bank, Muslim and non-Muslim, must wear a shailah (head scarf) and abaya (black cloak covering the whole body) starting this Ramadan, Gulf News has learnt.

Iran: Senior clerics oppose nominations of women ministers

Some senior clerics want Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to reconsider the nomination of three women as ministers in his new government, a conservative lawmaker was quoted as saying yesterday.

UPDATE: Malaysia: Kartika to be caned after fasting month

Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno, who was scheduled to be caned this week for drinking beer, has been released temporarily as it is not advisable for the sentence to be meted out during the fasting month.

UPDATE: Malaysia: URGENT appeal for intervention to stay sentence of caning

The Women Living Under Muslim Laws (WLUML) international solidarity network is deeply concerned to learn that the Syariah High Court in the Malaysian state of Pahang Shariah Court has ordered that Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno be remanded at the Kajang women’s prison in the state of Selangor from Monday, 24 August. Madam Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno, 32, has been sentenced to six strokes of the cane and fined RM5,000 (approximately US$ 1,400) after she pleaded guilty to consuming beer two years ago at a hotel in Pahang.

Pakistan: Attacks on minorities for alleged blasphemy

According to reports received, a series of attacks against Christians started on 30 July 2009 in the village of Korian, Toba Tek Singh district in Punjab, Pakistan, and within 3 days, these attacks had spread to a nearby Christian colony in Gojra.

Iran: Woman at risk of execution by stoning

Iranian woman, Sakineh Mohammadi is at risk of execution by stoning in Tabriz Prison, western Iran. She was convicted in 2006 or 2007 of “adultery while being married”. She was previously flogged for “having an illicit relationship”.

UPDATE: Malaysia: Warrant of arrest issued for woman drinking alcohol

The part-time model from Singapore, who is to be caned for having a beer in a nightclub last year, is one step closer to receiving her punishment.