A Raw Deal for Muslim Women
Incidents like the Buffalo beheading won't stop while Islamic leaders and institutions continue to adhere to theology that tolerates wife beating.
The February 13 beheading of Aasiya Z. Hassan by her husband Muzzamil Hassan, as reported here at Pajamas Media by Phyllis Chesler, has stunned the American Muslim community. This honor killing is particularly shocking because Hassan co-founded the Bridges TV network, which was created specifically to combat negative stereotypes of Muslims and to supposedly present Americans with an alternative “moderate” form of Islam.
However, the official response to this tragedy from the Muslim community has not been helpful. As observed earlier this month by the Salafi Burnout blog, the individual chosen by the Muslim Alliance in North America (MANA) to respond to the “moderate” Buffalo beheading tragedy is Mauri Saalakhan, who reportedly has admitted to beating his own wife. Saalakhan’s response to the Hassan honor killing is posted on MANA’s website. (Saalakhan has also previously been discussed here at Pajamas Media, regarding his support of terrorist organizations and his close connection to New York Democratic Congressman Gregory Meeks).
Several days following the initial post concerning Saalakhan’s abuse of his wife, one of his supporters posted a purported response from Saalakhan defending his conduct, which was then included in a separate post on the Salafi Burnout blog:
The allegations — which I have since discovered are now on a number of extremely hostile anti-Islam, anti-Muslim websites — are UNTRUE. I have never beaten up any woman in my life. There have been a number of occasions in the PAST (not the present), and few in number, when I have struck a woman with an open hand — an admission that I am not proud of — but I have never beaten a woman! And on the few occasions when this did happen — with three (I can count them) exceptions — it was in response to being struck first.
So Saalakhan’s supposed response to these accusations of domestic violence is the standard Ike Turner “bitch had it coming” defense. His position of “I might have beat my wife yesterday, but I’m not doing it today” apparently clears him of any taint of hypocrisy.
It should be noted that while Saalakhan argues that these accusations came from “hostile anti-Islam, anti-Muslim websites,” a Muslim runs the Salafi Burnout blog. Many of the comments posted on the blog — again almost all from the Muslim community — expressed horror at MANA’s extremely poor choice of respondent to address the Buffalo Islamic honor killing. They also condemn the glaringly hypocritical response to the domestic violence epidemic that is part and parcel of the anti-woman, pro-violence, Wahhabi-driven ideology that unfortunately now dominates institutional American Islam.
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Patrick Poole is a regular contributor to Pajamas Media, and an anti-terrorism consultant to law enforcement and the military.
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39 Comments
1. PatriotUSA:Anyone who studies islam should be well versed and educated how wife beating,physical and mental abuse is exremely common in islam. The so called prophet mohammed was a child molester, rapist and made it very clear how islam should “handle” women. Besides beatings, muslim wommen are prisoners in their own homes. Often times they are not allowed to leave the house unless accompanied by male. You can add female genital mutilation to the list of abuses and it is practiced outisde of islamic countries, Britain for example. Women are considered second class people at best throughout the islamic world, and obviously here in the USA as well. Where is the outrage from NOW and other feminist organizations about these abuses suffered by muslim women?
This is an excellent article and helps expose this horrific violence in islam, against women that is generally accepted as normal, the status quo. Moderate muslims, if there really are any are most likely afraid to speak out too loudly against this ideaologic and cultural abuse against muslim women for fear of reprisals
Mar 21, 2009 - 12:46 am 2. Evil Pundit:against themselves and their rerspective families. Study the qur’an, hadiths and sura’s and one can find violence against women is all right and is the man’s “right.” As long as he does not strike her in the face.It is still very easy to severely hurt or kill a woman or man without having to strike them in the face.
Islam needs to be exposed for what it is:
violent, subversive, totalitarian, oppressive and filled with absolutely zero tolerance for other religions, cultures, and freedom of individual thinking and expression. If you want examples I suggest Jihad watch, Atlas Shrugs for starters. These sites tell and expose the truth about islam. It is no wonder many in the islamic world oppose these sites. They show the true face of islam from around the world and IT IS NOT A RELIGION OF PEACE. Just ask the women of the Swat region in Pakistan, in Somolia or the Sudan. It happens here too and the results are often tragic, as in the Buffalo beheading crime.
Indeed, Islam is a raw deal for women.
But our society is a raw deal for men.
Mar 21, 2009 - 1:36 am 3. Lynn B.:Every Muslim woman I know has had at least one black eye at one time or another. My friend Nabila had one which was horrible and covered half of the side of her face. Her husband punched her for taking too long on an errand. We had gone to renew her green card and stopped for lunch and a bit of window shopping. She was never really happy after that beating.
Mar 21, 2009 - 5:02 am 4. Byron Dickens:My friend Nada was not allowed to associate with “American” women after her arranged marriage. He couldn’t adjust to American society and they both returned to the west Bank. She now wears the veil and I am sad for her. She too had a nasty black eye before they left. This makes me so angry! Women, who claim to be feminists, and say nothing while this goes on are just as guilty as the men who beat our sisters. And, ladies, they ARE our sisters!
So this is the “religion of peace?”
Mar 21, 2009 - 5:03 am 5. Parabellum:“The… beheading of Aasiya Z. Hassan by her husband Muzzamil Hassan… has stunned the American Muslim community.”
Really?
Mar 21, 2009 - 6:40 am 6. Christopher Smith:S*it like this makes me SICK! That man is a cruel and EVIL man. I share the same view on mainstream muslim culture as I do mainstream gay culture. Its to be ashamed of!
This woman is a saint and she will be rewarded for her work in heaven. I myself have sent in my resume over at Bridges TV. I am a Video-Game designer and no very little of television however I feel that NOT helping this woman’s cause would be a sin.
Mar 21, 2009 - 6:46 am 7. CTN:It’s a sick irony that when her husband beheaded her, Aasiya may have got off easy, because if they had lived in Iran, she could have been stoned to death, which is a much less efficient form of execution, in addition to being incredibly more brutal.
Mar 21, 2009 - 7:02 am 8. John B:So it would seem that this TV station was not the cultural bridge as touted, but rather a propaganda arm devised to spread Islamic lies amongst the unbelievers.
That’s cool, at least now we know.
Mar 21, 2009 - 7:04 am 9. Jay Lee:Interesting how islam is blamed for these stupid attitudes. The tragedy is that religious attitudes about beating wives has only changed due to secular pressure in the form of laws, etc. Muslim countries that aren’t out -and-out theocracies have more “western” attitudes towards domestic abuse while those governed by religion don’t. It isn’t different anywhere in the world where religions are in charge. Imagine.
Mar 21, 2009 - 7:20 am 10. SAF:The biggest crime: Where are the cowardly feminists?
Mar 21, 2009 - 7:32 am 11. Citizen70:Yes, Muslim women are our sisters and we should care for them. But, even more important for all women, we or our daughters or granddaughters could find ourselves in a culture like this if we don’t make a stand now. When the war on terror is described in a general way, the treatment of women in most Muslim (Arabic) societies is rarely mentioned and women’s conditions are treated as a given for those cultures. But we as women should keep OUR freedom as women uppermost in our minds as we face this threat.
Mar 21, 2009 - 8:07 am 12. Chip:Wahhabism or Salafism means reading the Quran facially and literally while following the examples from the life of Muhammed (Sunnah) found in ahadith. This is the reason we find the Islamic religion radicalizing all over the world and seemingly reasonable moderates unable to mount theological defenses against it.
Punting this problem back to “Wahabism” doesn’t help in reality because it’s just Quranic Islam. I’d hoped the Gitmo Five liberally quoting the Quran might jar a few noggins lose, but as usual nothing.
Mar 21, 2009 - 8:44 am 13. American Muslim:Your racist and Islamophobic ranting is pathetic.
Just look about you. Everywhere you look, Islam is triumphant and your depraved, degenerate, man-made economic and political systems are crumbling.
Cease your oppression of Muslims. Cease blaspheming against Allah (swt) and His Prophet Muhammed (saw).
Time grows short. Renounce your false religions. Embrace Islam now and live in peace in submission to the will of Almighty Allah (swt).
Your grandchildren will be Muslim.
Allahu akbar!
Mar 21, 2009 - 9:07 am 14. tanstaafl:There was a history of beatings of Aasiya Hassan, and, reportedly, what precipitated the final atrocity was that she had obtained a protective order and, a week before she was slaughtered, filed for divorce.
The horrendous acts of her husband cannot be strictly characterized as an Islamic (dis)honor killing. It’s an old story, unstable man challenged in his control of a woman.
The problem for Aasiya may have been that, by outing her abuser, she also would have destroyed the reputation of her husband and business partner and threatened her dream of a vibrant Bridges TV cable network dedicated to American Muslims.
A history of abuse preceded Orchard Park beheading
Mar 21, 2009 - 9:23 am 15. tanstaafl:Dear American Muslim,
Islam (radical) is ridiculous and primitive and its primary purveyors are shortsighted and narrow minded old men.
You call them mullahs or ayatollahs or imams.
Islam in Pakistan makes young boys sit in rows all day long, bobbing back and forth as they are forced to memorize the Koran in a language they don’t even speak. Islam indoctrinates impressionable young children into the glories of blowing themselves up in service to Allah’s Holy War.
Mohammed (PBUH) had some difficult household management problems, and the Angel Gabriel was helpful enough to advise and give permission for light beatings of the womenfolk and as to how Mohammed (PBUH) should not allow the rebellious woman back in his bed until she had calmed down. (I think the Jewess he captured in battle and “took” as his concubine might have been especially obstreperous)
Not to mention the Sura where Allah graciously grants Mohammed (PBUH) permission to sleep with his foster son’s wife.
Allah was very accommodating to Mohammed’s lifestyle of maurauding and woman stealing.
Mar 21, 2009 - 9:37 am 16. Frank:According to Muzzamils colleagues (or at least according to their press releases) the aim of the station wasn’t just to present a moderate view of Islam, but it’s aim was Dawah (conversion), an aspect of which is hiding the vile parts of the faith from new comers, until they’ve been sufficiently indoctrinated.
Mar 21, 2009 - 10:26 am 17. Christopher Smith:@15 Ya you’re right I am not going to deny that. However the bible condoned incest, and pedophile as well. Like Christians we Muslims have to take a stand and say that parts of the Quar’an are obsolete to modern times. Beating women and having sex with children is simply inexcusable today. We as decent Muslims must stand against things like this just as the Christians have over the last 200 years.
Mar 21, 2009 - 10:48 am 18. Knights13:“The biggest crime: Where are the cowardly feminists?”
They are waiting for the men to fight for the women. The next stage: See Evil Pundit’s statement number two.
Some like power and some like freedom. The one who likes freedom gets screwed by both sides.
Mar 21, 2009 - 11:56 am 19. Snapy:I can not beleive anyone with a brain can believe in Islamic religion. I believe that Mohammed was actually SATIN and this is where the Muslium religion started.
Mar 21, 2009 - 12:29 pm 20. Delia:So sad but true, Patrick Poole.
Ignore American Muslim…he’s a moronic douchebag who thinks he’s being ‘funny’. *cough*
Mar 21, 2009 - 1:00 pm 21. e:19. Snapy:
SATAN with two ‘A’s. Unless you were referring to the Knights in White Satin song.
Mar 21, 2009 - 2:07 pm 22. Mary Jackson:“Where are the cowardly feminists?”
Good question. Too many Western women who call themselves feminists turn a blind eye to violence against women in Islamic cultures. These women are Dozy Bints.
Muslim women often don’t stick up for each other, either, because there is little or no sisterhood in Islam.
Mar 21, 2009 - 2:44 pm 23. Delia:22. Mary Jackson,
EXACTLY right, Mary. *heavy sigh* Thank goodness people are speaking out against the horrors and human rights violations against women and children and even young men in the name of “ISLAM”…
Mar 21, 2009 - 3:16 pm 24. tanstaafl:The vanity may not be physical. It could well be a wish to appear interesting. Niqabbed dozy bint “Kadijah”, who gave the “alternative” Christmas broadcast on Channel 4 is a case in point…She wants us to be curious about her, and this is the only way this dull and unoriginal girl can arouse our interest.
The original Kadijah was Mohammed’s (first & only) wife and financial benefactress, he was 25 and she was 40 when they married. After she died, the other wives were acquired, around 15 or so, before Mohammed died about age 62, some say poisoned by one of those wives.
There is only a single reference to “covering” in the Koran and it seems to have to do with keeping the women concealed (esp. their hair) when the marauding tribes came around who might steal them.
And all this immense (not to mention unhealthy) shrouding in black or blue bug suits, 1400 years later. (I heard an older Saudi woman say she’d never give up her “protective” burka)
Mar 21, 2009 - 4:08 pm 25. Gwawr:To “american muslim”, it is obvious that you have never lived in an islamic country. Perhaps you should go and live there for a time before you realize that this “religion” that you follow is the worst of it’s kind. Yes, there was violence in both the old and new testament. The main difference it that CHRISTIANITY AND JUDAISM EVOVLED OUT OF THE DARKNESS WHILE YOU STAY THERE.
Mar 21, 2009 - 5:34 pm 26. Oscar the Grump:Knights 13 and
American Muslim
Great to have you guys back! I’m actually going to stay out of this fray. We need your point of view.
Mar 21, 2009 - 5:40 pm 27. Knights13:Oscar the Genius as always thoughtful and applicable.
Oscar the EMPIRICAL.
Mar 21, 2009 - 7:14 pm 28. Gary Thorington:To Muslims everywhere,, I have a question and thats, How does allah forgive sin?. In a true relationship with Jesus Christ who paid for our sins said He is the only way to Heaven and I am not sure how good you have to be to go to a muslim heaven. So how “good” or “bad” do you have to get to your heaven if you become a muslim?. I have never yet seen a happy muslim, they seem so miserable and there is no Joy of the Lord in their lives.
Mar 21, 2009 - 9:29 pm 29. PatriotUSA:#13 American muslim:
I do not count losers like you with your arrogant, preverted attitude of how superior islam is as American. You follow a cultish ideaology that is based on the teachings of the pervert mohammed, who got his “wisdom: from allah. Mohammed raped and married aisha at what age?? Under nine yrs. old if I recall correctly.
From tanstaafl
Mohammed (PBUH) had some difficult household management problems, and the Angel Gabriel was helpful enough to advise and give permission for light beatings of the womenfolk and as to how Mohammed (PBUH) should not allow the rebellious woman back in his bed until she had calmed down. (I think the Jewess he captured in battle and “took” as his concubine might have been especially obstreperous)
Not to mention the Sura where Allah graciously grants Mohammed (PBUH) permission to sleep with his foster son’s wife.
Allah was very accommodating to Mohammed’s lifestyle of maurauding and woman stealing.
Indeed! Your devotion to islam and sharia law, that which dates back to 7th century is based on perversions, conquest and annilation.That has not changed, has it AM? Your arrogance will be your downfall and no my grandchildren will NOT be muslims. There are many of us who will fight you are your perverted cult to our last breath. There are many of us awakening to the lies and perversion that lives and breathes within islam. By your violent actions around the globe through islam, you and your ilk will be brought down and returned to pits of hell from which you have spawned.
Mar 22, 2009 - 1:15 am 30. Oscar the Grump:There should be a required course for all Moslem women in America. It should be entitled ” The Bobbit Syndrome, and How to Preform It Correctly”
It would take care of a lot of problems “overnight”.
Mar 22, 2009 - 9:35 am 31. Paul -Indiana:After 16 centuries, why is this news? Islam is not open to interpretation except by the annointed ones. Send them all home to the nearest islamic paradise.
Mar 22, 2009 - 3:19 pm 32. aramkr:American Muslim:
Mar 23, 2009 - 7:13 am 33. Mike T:I suppose the reason Muslims always claim victory before the battle is because it is the only time they can. After the battle they are invariably prostrate, bloodied and humiliated. Enjoy your illusions while you can.
As long as it is in the scripture, it will never be “reformed.” Your solution is to tell them to pick and choose what to believe, and that will never work because the conservatives will always reject your bastardization of their scripture, and will never let you revise it. Islam is irreparably tainted at its very core.
Mar 23, 2009 - 8:49 am 34. MiamaMan:Yes, Satan spells with 2 “A” (it is not Satin).
I am sure this Allah is verily Satan, as there is no peace on him. Only blood, mayhem, beatings. This Allah is an Asura.
Could it be that Mr. Mohammed used hashish during that “enlightenment” in the cave and the trip through the air with Mr. Gabriel?
The Great Swami Vivekananda warned about the mixed effects of the claims of “enlightenment” in the feeble minded, as in the case of the desultory “prophet” Mohammed. Check out “Raja Yoga”, 1897, page 81, Swami Vivekananda. Let me quote a little for you:
Mar 24, 2009 - 5:20 am 35. wancow:“…They opened themselves to hallucinations. Mohammed claimed that the Angel Gabriel came to him in the cave one day and took him on the heavenly horse Harak to visits the heavens…Think of the good Mohammed did to the word, and think of the great evil that has been done through his fanaticism! Thinks of the millions massacred through his teachings – mothers bereft of their children, children made orphans, whole countries destroyed, millions upon millions of people killed!
2. Evil Pundit: “Indeed, Islam is a raw deal for women. But our society is a raw deal for men.”
Damn… I couldn’t agree with you more, EP…
Mar 24, 2009 - 12:09 pm 36. juliet:What scares me is the Western Countries (Great Britain, Canada), that are accepting Sharia law. In those country where’s the femminist or gays or athesits. Those groups are only brave in America where they know that they will not be harmed. They will not protest or fight for the protection of Muslim countries or Western Countries where the can be bullied by Isalm
Mar 24, 2009 - 8:21 pm 37. Larry:Read “The Haj” by Leon Uris
Mar 28, 2009 - 12:47 pm 38. scottie1:Muslim Men: A Positive Self Image Or just Insecure?
A working definition of what a positive self image is could be: how much people view themselves to be fit for life. By this definition, one would automatically exclude the need for cultural privilege or advantage over other people in that culture (ie. women). Those who don’t view themselves as fit for life look for artificial means of gaining a leg-up. In cultures where not being born male makes you a non-entity, you are born into disadvantage. Islamic societies have historically treated women as chattel, only good for breeding, sex and being subservient enough to massage the egos of their superiors (husbands). Islamic cultures seem to encourage males with fragile egos.
Not unlike a secular culture, Islamic societies claim to foster behavior based upon tenets of a theology. But like most theistically based cultures, Islamic clerics play fast and loose with what’s actually written in their “good book.” Interpretations are fashioned to meet the perceived needs of the “people”, soli by the cleric, himself. So, social mores, like Velcro, tend to pick up everything they come in contact with (good and bad). Despite the fact that these clerics are revered in their societies, they are still only men, men with shortcomings, foibles, and insecurities like any other man.
These insecurities include, but are not limited to, the overwhelming need for misogyny. Out of this affliction grows the need to control. Having a woman cover herself from head to toe, because “men can’t control themselves”, is a red flag to insecurity. Ostracising women because they’ve had sexual partners prior to you is proof that your self image is weak. Simply put, I think many muslim men are intimidated by the opposite sex, and have devised a culture to suppress that which they fear.
When cultural norms are designed to artificially dictate the behavior of others, there is an assumed, inherent weakness in the designer. They assume a personal disadvantage that can only be overcome by handicapping the individuality, creativity, and spontaneity of others. You elevate yourself by standing on the bodies of those that aren’t favored by cultural circumstances. That’s why outside cultural influences are frowned upon (”the West”).
Apr 6, 2009 - 12:47 pm 39. Shanti:The problem (and solution) is obvious by reading this thread in which men blame women, women blame men, Christians blame Muslims, Muslims blame Christians… When will it all end?
Don’t you see that is this HATRED, this INTOLERANCE, this “I-am-good-and-you-are-bad” attitude that is root of the problem. Please everyone, deal with your own internal hatred before pointing the finger at others. That is the only solution to this madness.
Peace and wisdom to all.
Oct 2, 2009 - 2:32 pm