Our Place in the World: Road map leads to darkness

[drdon326]

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/opinion/148208_ourplace14.html

I am ashamed to be a Muslim ... again. I am originally from a Muslim minority in Russia and I was never quite as ashamed of the Soviet Union, which I left as an anti-Communist emigrant long ago, as I am of the Muslim world that makes even the USSR look free and civilized.

Total gender apartheid, treating women worse than animals, tyranny, oppression, intolerance of any kind of free expression and on and on. The Muslim world is the world of no good news. And now, there's yet another sickening, albeit not surprising, headline: "Jews rule the world by proxy, says Malay leader" (P-I, Oct. 17). Mahathir Mohamad, the Malaysian prime minister, speaking before a gathering of the world's Islamic leaders, invoked the same old, tired explanation of the Muslims' many ills and ailments: the Jewish conspiracy.

Judging by the many historical references he included in his speech, Mohamad read some history but he proved to be absolutely incapable of learning history's lessons. He alluded to Islam's glorious past when the Muslim world thrived economically and culturally and shone in science, medicine and education while the West was backward and savage, wallowing in the misery, famines and plagues of the Dark Ages.

snip

This is what we the Umma (the world Muslim community) should pause to think about. Only then might we be able to find our way out of darkness. Otherwise, I am afraid, the Muslim world will be beyond redemption.

.....................................................................

interesting article

[bluesoul]

1. Interesting article indeed

although I do think he exaggerates a bit (beyond redemption) being self critical is always a good thing...

[vierundzwanzig]

2. Sounds like

a lot of cliches and a lot of unrelated issued all thrown in together. I am only missing the word 'Islamo-fascism'.

Not that he didn't have a point here or there. But if you take something a lot of issues that are bogus and combine them with a few truths you are taking the risk of being accused of being rhetorical to the point of demagoguery.

[rini]

3. How very sad

that fanatics took over a wonderful religion. My heart aches for the author. I pray someday moderates will take back Islam allowing the author and other moderates to be proud Muslums once again.

[drdon326]

4. So true....so sad.

"Total gender apartheid, treating women worse than animals, tyranny, oppression, intolerance of any kind of free expression."

unfortunately the moderates are too afraid to speak..

ask Salaam Rushdie (sp) ??

[meti57b]

5. "gender apartheid"

Guess I hadn't previously thought through gender discrimination in terms of apartheid, but yes ... that is exactly what it is: gender apartheid.

Excellent and interesting article.

"One hundred years ago, 1 million Jews fled from Tsarist Russia to the United States after a wave of pogrom atrocities. Russia's loss was the United States' gain."

My grandparents as small children, were in that million Jews, chased from their village by Cossacks on horseback swinging swords down at them, hacking people to death. Details were sketchy on how they survived it, but they never forgot that part of it. That's one of the many reasons I unequivocally support Israel as a Jewish state and a refuge for Jews.

[pistoff democrat]

6. As to your message:

What a wonderful post! So unusual in this forum...thank you.

I have a friend who's grandfather experienced what yours did in Russia; they went to Montreal, then to Cleveland.

If only there had been an Israel at that time...

[drdon326]

7. Seems like a small voice in the wilderness...

"Total gender apartheid, treating women worse than animals, tyranny, oppression, intolerance of any kind of free expression and on and on."

Womens rights do not even get on the radar screen....sadly.

[vierundzwanzig]

8. You seem to have little knowledge

of Islam. You are a victim of a hostile representation of a religion that has not received widespread exposure in the U.S.

Let me preface this with the fact that I am not muslim:

Islam at the time granted specific rights to women that so far hadn't been heard of. My personal literature of the Qu'uran (without outside teaching) tells me that it introduces a certain sense of equality, though taking certain facts of life into consideration.

At the time (and often still today) the man was the primary breadwinner. As such he received certain rights or was valued higher monetarily than a woman. A man supported a whole family, a woman often could not. Life was different and harsher then.

Modern Islam has put many of these writings into a more contemporary context.

This can very much be likened to highly orthodox Jews and say reformed Jews or Fundamentalist Christians and such denominations as the Episcopalians or Methodists.

Oppression of women si the consequence of the inability of many muslim countries unable to enter into the modern world. The Burka in Afghanistan is a classic example. This is a country which has not only been wartorn by various internal factions but also ruthlessly exploited by the superpowers. A place like this is not just going to join the brave new world.

There is a reason for everything. If you want to better a situation you would do well to try to udnerstand these reasons instead of consistently posting muslim-bashing posts that have nothing to do with Israel or Palestine.

I wish you would refrain from that.

[The Magistrate]

9. Rather Cart Before The Horse Here. Sir

The enforced powerlessness of women is a leading reason why these countries have not successfully entered the modern era; it is not failure of these countries to do so that has prevented it. There are other reasons, including tribal political structures, of course. It is best not to assume someone who does not share such pollyanna views is moved by ignorance, propaganda, or bigotry.

[drdon326]

10. Thank you...

except your problem is not with me....your problem
is with the author.

"Total gender apartheid, treating women worse than animals, tyranny, oppression, intolerance of any kind of free expression and on and on."

I'll let you decide whether its true or not.

My point is:

"Mahathir Mohamad, the Malaysian prime minister, speaking before a gathering of the world's Islamic leaders, invoked the same old, tired explanation of the Muslims' many ills and ailments: the Jewish conspiracy."

Its a pleasure to see this kind rebuke from a very insightful person.

The author is a true progressive.