As you read and weep, recall that the Taleban were armed and financed by the US Government, which felt that anything would be better than a Russian-sponsored socialist state. I wonder how many Afghan women think the Taleban is an improvement.
Let's add: Somoza, (Nicaragua), Stroesser (Paraguay), Pinochet (Chile), the collection of Argentinean Generalisimos during the "decade of shame" in the 70's, and countless other Latin American leaders that yes, they were not Communists, but their collective actions gave a bad name to Capitalism, more akin with despot leaders...
But in all their terrible record and behavior, I do not belive it comes close to this, partuicularly in their FANATISM. (which supposedly, such attitude is forbidden by Islam --according to brees):
rawa.org
<snip>
Taliban restrictions and mistreatment of women include the:
1- Complete ban on women's work outside the home, which also applies to female teachers, engineers and most professionals. Only a few female doctors and nurses are allowed to work in some hospitals in Kabul.
2- Complete ban on women's activity outside the home unless accompanied by a mahram (close male relative such as a father, brother or husband).
3- Ban on women dealing with male shopkeepers.
4- Ban on women being treated by male doctors.
5- Ban on women studying at schools, universities or any other educational institution. (Taliban have converted girls' schools into religious seminaries.)
6- Requirement that women wear a long veil (Burqa), which covers them from head to toe.
7- Whipping, beating and verbal abuse of women not clothed in accordance with Taliban rules, or of women unaccompanied by a mahram.
8- Whipping of women in public for having non-covered ankles.
9- Public stoning of women accused of having sex outside marriage. (A number of lovers are stoned to death under this rule).
10- Ban on the use of cosmetics. (Many women with painted nails have had fingers cut off).
11- Ban on women talking or shaking hands with non-mahram males.
12- Ban on women laughing loudly. (No stranger should hear a woman's voice).
13- Ban on women wearing high heel shoes, which would produce sound while walking. (A man must not hear a woman's footsteps.)
14- Ban on women riding in a taxi without a mahram.
15- Ban on women's presence in radio, television or public gatherings of any kind.
16- Ban on women playing sports or entering a sport center or club.
17- Ban on women riding bicycles or motorcycles, even with their mahrams.
18- Ban on women's wearing brightly colored clothes. In Taliban terms, these are "sexually attracting colors."
19- Ban on women gathering for festive occasions such as the Eids, or for any recreational purpose.
20- Ban on women washing clothes next to rivers or in a public place.
21- Modification of all place names including the word "women." For example, "women's garden" has been renamed "spring garden".
22- Ban on women appearing on the balconies of their apartments or houses.
23- Compulsory painting of all windows, so women can not be seen from outside their homes.
24- Ban on male tailors taking women's measurements or sewing women's clothes.
25- Ban on female public baths.
26- Ban on males and females traveling on the same bus. Public buses have now been designated "males only" (or "females only").
27- Ban on flared (wide) pant-legs, even under a burqa.
28- Ban on the photographing or filming of women.
29- Ban on women's pictures printed in newspapers and books, or hung on the walls of houses and shops.
Apart from the above restrictions on women, the Taliban has:
- Banned listening to music, not only for women but men as well.
- Banned the watching of movies, television and videos, for everyone.
- Banned celebrating the traditional new year (Nowroz) on March 21. The Taliban has proclaimed the holiday un-Islamic.
- Disavowed Labor Day (May 1st), because it is deemed a "communist" holiday.
- Ordered that all people with non-Islamic names change them to Islamic ones.
- Forced haircuts upon Afghan youth.
- Ordered all People to choose Islamic names for them if their names are not Islamic .
- Ordered that men wear Islamic clothes and a cap.
- Ordered that men not shave or trim their beards, which should grow long enough to protrude from a fist clasped at the point of the chin.
- Ordered that all people attend prayers in mosques five times daily.
- Banned the keeping of pigeons and playing with the birds, describing it as un-Islamic. The violators will be imprisoned and the birds shall be killed. The kite flying has also been stopped.
- Ordered all onlookers, while encouraging the sportsmen, to chant Allah-o-Akbar (God is great) and refrain from clapping.
And so on...
Yes, I am sure the above is a matter of "Choice to practice Islam" --NOT
Talk about Hypocrites...
Oh and by the way, I do not get offended and start crying "bigotry" if someone points out to me the despot style of many Latin American leaders.
But it does p**ses me off when someone says that Muslim is not a fanatical religion when I see what is happening, or when they imply that I am saying ALL MUSLIMS are .. blah, blah, blah
The fact is, all religions are form and systems of oppression on their respective flocks, and the degree of evil depends on the people at the top.
Such has nothing to do with the manner in which particular INDIVIDUALS choose to believe in their personal spiritual beliefs, which are exactly PERSONAL AND INDIVIDUAL, not dogmatic rules to be imposed on others.
The record shows that religion IS a dogma that their leaders have tried to impose on others.
And if they don't like the facts, well then, tough on them. A I have said, I am not in the market for wholesale bullsh*t
Your tax dollars at work.
Now, I am really weeping
It should be pointed out that Islam is capable of inspiring such excess because it is still a relatively young religion. When Christianity was that age, it had much the same character.
Well, I think in part this is because those countries have chosen to isolate themselves, and any attempt to point theses acts out, one get the reaction as "brees" takes, he thinks we are being "disrespectful" of religious practices and/or bigots.
I say, rubbish.
If it were not for the fact that these fanatics represent a potential danger to the future of humanity, (particularly when they own Nuclear arsenals), I would say, if they want to live like they did in the 13th century, well, then go ahead and do so.
Simply because some individuals have been able to educate themselves and improved their lives, (more power to them), does not change the fact that the great majority, as proven by deeds, not words, are what they are.
Any attempt to "dignify" the very same religions that are used to impose the atrocities, as above, is mere hypocrisy, nothing else. |
