Muslim feminists in NY want to start Koran council

Reuters ^ | 11-20-06 | Manuela Badawy

[xtinct]

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Muslim feminists from around the world vowed to create the first women's council to interpret the Koran and overcome two stereotypes about their religion: Muslims are terrorists and Islam oppresses women.

The women's council was among the most groundbreaking ideas introduced at a weekend meeting of more than 100 leaders in the fledgling Islamic feminist movement.

Many in the newly formed group, the Women's Islamic Initiative in Spirituality and Equality, or WISE, said strict sharia law was not divine because it was created by men and should be changed to incorporate women's rights.

"In our societies men hold power and they decide what Islam should mean and how we can obey that particular understanding of Islam," said Zainab Anwar, executive director of Sisters in Islam, a Malaysian organization working on women's rights within the Islamic framework.

[xtinct]

"In our societies men hold power and they decide what Islam should mean and how we can obey that particular understanding of Islam,"

And, that's not likely to change!!

[mdmathis6]

Look for a wave of "honor" killings and attacks against these brave women!

[sageb1]

Give up Islam and all will be better.

[sageb1]

Doubtful. Instead look for Muslim Marxist feminists to vote Democrat.

[Cindy]

ON THE NET...

JIHAD WATCH.org: "'MUSLIM FEMINISTS' IN NY WANT TO START QUR'AN COUNCIL" (November 20, 2006)

JIHAD WATCH.org: "MUHAMMAD: HE MENDED HIS OWN CLOTHES!" (November 13, 2006)

[mdmathis6]

While they may vote Democrat, they are speaking truth to Wahabist/Taliban Muslim power....I can guarantee you they won't be making any friends with a lot of Extremist Muslim males!

[the final gentleman]

Then the Muslim feminist said...

["Two misconceptions about Islam are that it is associated with terrorism and that Islam is an oppressor of women. These are two myths that we seek to demolish. We need to change the perception of Islam in the West and this cannot be achieved without the participation of women." said Abdul Rauf]

I dunno, Abdul, if the followers of Islam would stop blowing up little children, innocent women, and beheading good men in the name of Allah, then maybe we in the West would change our perception about the nature of the followers of Mohammad. But as it is, it is semantically proper to associate terrorism and oppression and inhumane behavior with the tenets of Islamism.

[parisa]

This is a start.

Muslim women have always held the answer. This is where transformation in the Islamic communities should and will come. BUT...

"Two misconceptions about Islam are that it is associated with terrorism and that Islam is an oppressor of women. These are two myths that we seek to demolish. We need to change the perception of Islam in the West and this cannot be achieved without the participation of women," said Abdul Rauf.

That Islam is associated with terrorism IS NOT A MYTH, and that Islam oppresses the women IS NOT EITHER. And the objective of these women SHOULD NOT be about change of perception of Islam in the West. The focus and goal should be on change in their own family life and Muslim identity and how they should think, act, and behave towards the rest of the world.

AND most importantly change should come with women discarding the veil which is the symbol and reminder of their oppression and subjugation.

[durasell]

In an unexpected move, Muslim males turn to secular counterparts in help battling the onslaught of repeated viewings of Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood and The Notebook.

[xtinct]

It could be me!! But I just can't get past these perceptions:

mutilating little girls' genitalia

stoning women for showing ankle

beheadings

suicide bombers

terrorists flying planes into buildings

terrorists blowing up buses and trains

the burka itself...

[durasell]

Apparently some of the women aren't too crazy with the idea of those things, either.

[WorkerbeeCitizen]

OK so I just gotta ask - What exactly is a Muslim Feminist?

[durasell]

http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780375504907

[Coldwater Creek]

All Muslim's are extremists!

[rawcatslyentist]

>"change should come with women discarding the veil which is the symbol and reminder of their oppression and subjugation."

It's more than that. It is also a terrorists best friend. Look how many pounds of explosives, and or weapons can be smuggled beneath it. Also you can wear one to evade kill/capture, even if you're a man baby!

Oh yeah,
It's a religion of peace
It's a religion of peace.

[YdontUleaveLibs]

Muslim Feminist?
Fast Turtles?
Intelligent Liberals?
Controlled Chaos?

[kalee]

Dear muslim feminists,
In this case, perception is the reality, don't bother trying to change the perception, change the reality. And by the way, good luck, you'll need it.
Kalee

[the invisib1e hand]

Muslim feminists

I think burkhas and how they are used is diabolical. On the other hand, something about this term, "Muslim Feminists," is rather disconcerting. As if the regular variety wasn't nasty enough.

[PeteB570]

While the story headline carries the New York line I don't see any other refference to where the meeting was held.

So, I'll assume New York.

Why didn't they hold it in Mecca? Oh, that's right, they would have had their heads sawed off.

[Virginia Ridgerunner]

So, when does the Muslim Feminist march on Mecca start...?