Karzai: It Isn't Afghanistan But Islam Itself That Allows Men To Beat Their Wives
From the AP:
President Hamid Karzai's Tuesday remarks backing the Ulema Council's document, which allows husbands to beat wives under certain circumstances and encourages segregation of the sexes, is seen as part of his outreach to insurgents like the Taliban.Both the U.S. and Karzai hope that the Taliban can be brought into negotiations to end the country's decade-long war. But activists say they're worried that gains made by women since 2001 may be lost in the process.
When the Taliban ruled Afghanistan prior to the 2001 U.S. invasion, girls were banned from going to school and women had to wear burqas that covered them from head to toe. Women were not allowed to leave their homes without a male relative as an escort.
The "code of conduct" issued Friday by the Ulema Council as part of a longer statement on national political issues is cast as a set of guidelines that religious women should obey voluntarily, but activists are concerned it will herald a reversal of the trend in Afghanistan since 2001 to pass laws aimed at expanding women's rights.
Among the rules: Women should not travel without a male guardian and women should not mingle with strange men in places like schools, markets or offices. Beating one's wife is prohibited only if there is no "Shariah-compliant reason," it said, referring to the principles of Islamic law.
Asked about the code of conduct at a press conference in the capital, Karzai said it was in line with Islamic law and was written in consultation with Afghan women's groups. He did not name the groups that were consulted.
Karzai: "Ladies, you've got the rights of dogs and if you smartmouth about it, we're gonna clock you one. Per Sharia law. That okay with you? Well, okay then."
It is a great sign of progress that wife-beatings must be in compliance with Sharia. Fortunately, in Iraq the most common reason a man kills his wife or daughters is to prevent them from defiling the family honor. There's only one solution: bomb Iran.
Christopher at March 10, 2012 12:23 AM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2012/03/10/karzai_it_isnt.html#comment-3053086">comment from ChristopherDetails on Islam allowing wife-beating here:
http://www.thereligionofpeace.com/Quran/003-wife-beating.htm
Amy Alkon
at March 10, 2012 12:46 AM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2012/03/10/karzai_it_isnt.html#comment-3053091">comment from Amy AlkonOh, there's more:
Amy Alkon
at March 10, 2012 12:48 AM
Of course the husband determines whether the wife has fulfilled her duties properly.
If she complains, who is on her side in this culture?
Bob in Texas at March 10, 2012 6:32 AM
Meanwhile, American feminists are arguing about whether contraceptives should be government subsidized.
Cousin Dave at March 10, 2012 7:10 AM
President Najibullah had a very enlightened attitude towards women. When the Taliban took over Kabul in 1996, they tortured him, castrated him, dragged him to his death behind a truck, and hung his naked corpse from a lamppost. Was there ever any doubt that President Karzai would sell out every woman & girl in Afghanistan to save his own skin?
Martin at March 10, 2012 9:15 AM
Since Obama made it clear from the day he took the oath that he was going to bug out of Afghanistan, unsurprisingly everyone in Afghanistan has been preparing for the return of the Taliban, so they are all trying to prove they are more islamic than the next guy.
The sad part is that Obama sent more american troops over their to die, knowing that it was going to be for nothing, because he intended to bug out. Once he decided he wasn't going to bug out should have immediately pulled out, instead of spending three and half years announcing he was going to bug out.
bill o rights at March 10, 2012 10:12 AM
"...Activists say they're worried that gains made by women since 2001 may be lost in the process."
Who cares? We can't magically make them into Americans and force them to comply with our cultural norms if they don't want to. Afghanistan was fucked up when we got there, and it will be fucked up when we leave. Saudi Arabia has similar laws in place, they're a U.S. ally, and no one seems to get too worked up about their women beating.
Question: Does Islam permit a man to hit his wife?
Summary Answer:
Yes, but only if she doesn't do as he asks. The beating must cease if the woman complies with her husband's demands.
Sounds like a pretty sweet deal for the man! Where can I get one of this hot Islamic woman? The Taliban should start up a mail order bride business once we leave Afghanistan. I bet they'd make money hand over fist!
Mike Hunter at March 10, 2012 2:37 PM
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