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Politics : The Truth About Islam -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Proud_Infidel who wrote (166)	8/29/2006 9:31:06 AM
From: Proud_Infidel	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 20106

Sheik's ugliness of mind and soul By Roger Coombs August 29, 2006 12:00 news.com.au AMONG the feminist sisterhood it's held that "beauty contests" are all part of a degenerate male hegemony, that their only purpose is to perpetuate the idea that pulchritude is all women have got to offer. Well, some women might hold that view while other women – and more than a few men – would disagree. We're all entitled to our opinions. Even ratbag cleric Sheik Mohammed Omran. But what this hairy oil painting had to say about Melbourne youngster Ayten Ahmet's decision to enter the Miss Teen Australia pageant was as offensive as it was oppressive of women. According to the learned sheikh – who says there is no evidence the 9/11 terror attacks were carried out by Muslims – the decision by Miss Ahmet, a Muslim of Turkish descent, has cast "a slur on Islam". Well, what sort of religion is it that is offended by a young woman entering a quest which encourages virtues such as honesty and integrity, caring for others, being a good role model and so on? It would be naive to suggest that the contestants' appearance is not relevant but it is not the only thing that matters in the quest, just as it's not the only thing that matters in life. And the handsome sheikh might care to be informed – one of the quest's sponsors is the Barnardos organisation, which has done so much good work in aid of homeless and under-privileged children. The value of the linkage between the fortunate young women being judged in the Miss Teen Australia pageant and other less fortunate youngsters is surely obvious, even to the sheikh. But back to the core of the issue, which is that, in Omran's radically Muslim world view, Islam is somehow offended by the idea of this woman in a beauty contest. Why, precisely? Which embodiment of Islam is offended and how? Does Allah care? If so, how do we know? Where is it written? And what exactly is it about the competition that is so offensive? Is it that the contestants show their hair? How shocking. Or is it that they – along with every beauty contestant since the time of Fatima the Fair – will undoubtedly declare "world peace" to be their one abiding wish above all others? For everything about this character suggests that what he really opposes is the idea of peace between the Islamic and non-Islamic worlds. He says terrorism is a US plot, he's on record as saying Osama bin Laden is "a good man" (something he's since sought to retract after receiving a barrage of criticism) and he is a believer in jihad. The good thing is most Muslims also think he's cuckoo and in truth his support base is small, even in the Muslim community. So, good for you Miss Ahmet. Most Australians will take the view that you're a most worthwhile role model, a young woman to be admired. Good luck in the quest. Of the sheikh, on the other hand, most will have a somewhat different view. But most of all they'll wish he'd just pull his head in.