"Naked" Miss Afghanistan slammed (Shut-Up Burqa Boys, she lives in the Land of the Free)

AFP via Melbourne Herald Sun ^ | 27 October 2003

[Stultis]

"Naked" Miss Afghanistan slammed
AFP
27oct03

PRESIDENT Hamid Karzai's minister for women's affairs yesterday condemned Miss Afghanistan, as Vida Samadzai became the country's first woman in the post-Taliban era to appear in a bikini during a beauty contest in Manila.

"Appearing naked before a camera or television is not women's freedom but in my opinion is to entertain men," Minister Habiba Surabi said.

"We condemn Vida Samadzai, she is not representing Afghanistan's women, and this is not women's freedom."

Surabi said according to Afghan culture women should not demonstrate their worth using their "beauty or bodies" but by their skills and knowledge.

"In the name of women's freedom, what this Afghan girl has done is not freedom but is lascivious," the minister said.

The 25-year-old Afghan contestant, who lives in the United States, is the first Afghan woman in 30 years to participate in the Miss World international beauty contest being held in the Philippines capital this week.

The dark-haired, black-eyed Samadzai, apparently from a Pashtun tribe, was born and raised in Afghanistan but left for the United States in 1996 to escape the extremist Taliban regime which forced women to cover themselves from head to toe.

Under the harsh regime women were not allowed to work outside their homes or go out without a close relative beside them. After the fall of the militia in 2001, an increasing number of women left the burqa, or veil, at home and some took jobs.

The only other Miss Afghanistan was Zohra Daoud, who joined the Miss Universe contest in 1972.

[Unam Sanctam]

Christian was a very fanatical religion for centuries, with the Crusades (well intentioned, but with some rather horrific slaughters in Jerusalem and Constantinople) and the Inquisition. Nevertheless, the violent fanatical element of Christianity has been more or less expunged with the Renaissance, Reformation and Enlightenment (which were of course not entirely positive for the faith, but did provide this signal service). I see no reason why Islam cannot be "tamed" as it were the way Christianity was.

[John O]

Christian was a very fanatical religion for centuries, with the Crusades (well intentioned, but with some rather horrific slaughters in Jerusalem and Constantinople) and the Inquisition. Nevertheless, the violent fanatical element of Christianity has been more or less expunged with the Renaissance, Reformation and Enlightenment (which were of course not entirely positive for the faith, but did provide this signal service). I see no reason why Islam cannot be "tamed" as it were the way Christianity was.

Excellent points. Here's the difference though. The most atrocious deeds performed in the name of Christ were performed in violation of Christ's word. The crusades (or at least the brutality which occurred during them), the inquisition, the salem witch trials, all of these are violations of scripture.

The most atrocious deeds done in the name of islam are perfectly in accordance with, and commanded by the koran. WTC, the actions of the taliban, palestinian homicide bombings, all perfect examples of adherence to koranic commands. The islamic is commanded to fight with the unbeliever near to them.

So we have on one hand a religion whose main command is to love God and love your neighbor. (Christianity)

On the other hand we have a religion whose command is to fear God and subjugate or kill your neighbor. (islam)

Which would you expect to live peacebly and which would you expect would have to be eradicated for peace to exist?

[aShepard]

It certainly is too bad that that green eyed beauty on the cover of the National Geographic didn't enter a beauty contest.

A hands down winner!

[Alter Kaker]

So why are their rules on such things as which hand to use when wiping one's bottom and such other nonsense?

Read 19:Numbers. There is much mystery and bizarre in my own religion.

[John O]

Read 19:Numbers. There is much mystery and bizarre in my own religion.

I seem to be missing your point. Numbers 19 deals with the ritual cleansing of those who handle the dead. What's mysterious or bizarre about this?

[bk1000]

"The display is immodest and makes of woman a mere sexual object. Moreover it is a provocation to Moslem believers."

They are excercising freedom. No one makes them appear in a bathing suit. Anyone 'provoked' by this is welcome to not participate.

[Hemingway's Ghost]

Now that's one fantastic body!

[wardaddy]

As a man...getting older sadly....I must confess that I have learned with age that women in varying forms of dressed to undressed including bikinis etc. are arguably one of the reasons for living. Pure joy.

I would rank that joy right up there with having children and obviously the two kind of dovetail at some point.

One's appreciation or disdain for scanty clothing or overt female sexuality or nudity is a private matter to me.

I instinctively feel this way apart from my religious ideals. My hypocrisy only goes so far.

[bk1000]

"The sexual revolution had a victim, and it is women, since it freed men from any obligations to commitment."

Careful what you wish for, you just may get it!

[Salem]

Amen, John O, at 142. Thanks for the ping, Yehuda, at 115. May we always model such moral clarity!



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[ovrtaxt]

re: pedophilia among Muslims ; Perhaps another factor is the history of Mohammed himself. He married a six year old girl at one point, and consummated the marriage when she was nine, I believe. And this is their example.

"What would Mohammed do?"

[laredo44]

And as a prudential matter, I don't see this as progress for Afghanistan, but rather a propaganda coup for the Talibans who will blame it all on us decadent infidels.

Bikini or burka? Which, in your mind, is worse?

[laredo44]

Frankly, dressing like Madonna or Britney Spears is a step backward for women. The sexual revolution had a victim, and it is women

I'll ask you the question others in the "we're headed downhill" crowd always decline to answer. What year was the highpoint for women? In other words, we were going in the right direction until when? When did the downhill trend begin?

[Crispy]

"I can't help but think that some of these young ladies look unhealthily thin"

You don't have to starve yourself to look that good. Just eat a healthy low carb diet and moderate excercise.

[laredo44]

The One you need to convince is the Holy One. He is power. He controls all. He exists.

Therein lies the problem. I can't seem to get in touch.

[laredo44]

PRESIDENT Hamid Karzai's minister for women's affairs yesterday condemned Miss Afghanistan, as Vida Samadzai became the country's first woman in the post-Taliban era to appear in a bikini during a beauty contest in Manila.

Bikini? That suit has got to be the burka of bikinis.

[najida]

Erm,
The point she was making is that they don't look good.

Counting ribs ain't a good thing.

[John O]

I'll ask you the question others in the "we're headed downhill" crowd always decline to answer. What year was the highpoint for women? In other words, we were going in the right direction until when? When did the downhill trend begin?

I'd hazard a guess and say sometime in the late fifties to early sixties. Women used to be put on pedestals and treated far better than they are today. The sexual revolution did destroy a lot of advantages that they had. Most of them just don't realize it yet.

[Lijahsbubbe]

We condemn Vida Samadzai, she is not representing Afghanistan's women, and this is not women's freedom."

Yes, and I suppose his idea of women's freedom is being covered from head to toe and being a second class citizen, not allowed to leave home without a male's permission.

[laredo44]

The display is immodest and makes of woman a mere sexual object. Moreover it is a provocation to Moslem believers.

Liberty has and contiues to provoke. Most are not inclined to accept it. It's always something. Some reason they must force their will on others. Often the reason is associated with religion -- communism/socialism being the big exception.