Chesler Chronicles

July 8th, 2009 11:55 am

Palestinian Taliban Arrest Palestinian Feminist. Government Promises Investigation

An Interview with Asma’a Al-Ghoul

Asma’a Al-Ghoul is a Palestinian secular feminist who has written poignant, heartbreaking pieces about honor killings and women’s rights in Gaza. Last month, Asma’a quit her job at Al Ayaam because her subject matter got her into “trouble” at work. She is also the journalist who was arrested over the weekend by Hamas’s “morality” police, ostensibly for “laughing immoderately” and for “immodest” clothing at the beach.

The beach!

Asma’a, the 27 year-old mother of a four year-old son, was wearing jeans and a t-shirt. She went into the water fully clothed. Apparently, that was not modest enough for them.

According to Asma’a, with whom I just spoke, the Palestinian police detained her and took her passport away. They also beat up four male friends: two right there on the beach, all four back in police custody. (One of these men was not sitting with them at the time but came to their aid when the police attacked them). Due to the intercession of a journalist-friend with whom the beach goers were visiting, the police let Asma’a go—but with a warning; they told her “they would be following her case.” The police also returned Asma’a’s passport to her. In addition, the police wanted to confiscate her laptop but luckily, they were unable to find it.

Since then, Asma’a received a written death threat. She has been staying home, and has, understandably, had trouble sleeping.

“But,” she tells me, “Both my friends and the media have been supporting me.” Indeed, Asma’a wrote to thank me for my recent piece which mentioned her plight.

“And” she points out, “yesterday at noon, the government, possibly for the first time ever, announced that they will be looking into this matter.”

Asma’a explained that many other such incidents have happened and been covered up. “People are afraid to speak out. But we must speak out in order to stop this. We fear that the government will banish those who speak.”

It has been said, that the Palestinian people once were the most educated people in the Arab world. Over the years, I have known and worked with both secular and religious Palestinian Muslim and ex-Muslim feminists who are in favor of modernity and women’s rights.

Nevertheless, increasingly, Hamas officials have been cracking down on women and on western ways. They have “urged shopkeepers to take down foreign advertisements which show the shape of women’s bodies and to hide lingerie which is currently displayed in windows. Officials search electronic shops to check if they are selling pornography on tiny flash drives.”

According to human rights activist, Isam Younis, “There’s an open, public program to preserve public morals in Gaza,..In reality that means trying to restrict freedoms. Hamas denies that any crackdown is under way. But they have failed to take any action against the groups that have been attacking hairdressers and internet cafes.

Under Hamas, women have been increasingly veiling: wearing hijab, wearing versions of the Iranian, Saudi, and Afghani abayas, chadors, burqas, etc.

Asma’a tells me: “Palestinian feminists have not called to support me. They are afraid. Some have told me that I am so ‘strong,’ (which means that they think) they are not.”

Asma’a has written a moving paper about honor killings and women’s rights in Gaza which she originally published in Arabic in Al-Ayaam. She has given me permission to edit and publish it here which I will do in two parts. In it, one of the things she describes is how Palestinian women themselves have internalized misogyny (something that is a global phenomenon and about which I’ve written in Women’s Inhumanity to Woman ). Women accept, even support, the punishment and murder of women.

According to Asma’a, at a recent workshop in Khan Yunis, many of the women gathered “were fully convinced that a woman who makes a mistake must be killed. A woman wearing a black folk dress consisting of two parts and only the forehead and one of the eyes can be seen through said: ‘She deserves to die…she should be a way to give a lesson to others.’ Neither she nor the other women believed that men should be punished for the same crime or for murdering a woman for the sake of ‘family honor.’”

“You know,” Asma’a said, “when my mother was my age she used to wear short skirts and no hijab. I do not wear hijab. But now, the women cover everything, even their faces. I am a secular Muslim. Theoretically, I believe that Islam and secular values can be compatible The government has attached themselves to the most extreme facets of Islam, not to Islam ( as it has been practiced in the past).” These morality police think they are god.”

As to the future—Asma’a tells me: “We don’t know. We are waiting.”

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36 Comments

1. Greenconsciousness:

Thank you for publishing Asma’a Al-Ghoul’s work — It is very powerful and I will tell other’s to come here and read it.

Jul 8, 2009 - 2:27 pm 2. “Palestinian Taliban Arrest Palestinian Feminist. Government Promises Investigation” - by Phyllis Chesler :: Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.):

[...] “Palestinian Taliban Arrest Palestinian Feminist. Government Promises Investigation” – b… – “An Interview with Asma’a Al-Ghoul” – “Asma’a Al-Ghoul is a Palestinian secular feminist who has written poignant, heartbreaking pieces about honor killings and women’s rights in Gaza” —- July 5, 2009: Gaza woman journalist: Hamas “police” “accused me of laughing in public” – now gets death threats [...]

Jul 8, 2009 - 3:35 pm 3. Woman Is Arrested For Wearing A ‘T Shirt’ At Beach « Live Loud! www.mamapalooza.com:

[...] Officials search electronic shops to check if they are selling pornography on tiny flash drives.” Click here for full story. Dr. Chesler’s latest book is: Woman’s Inhumanity to [...]

Jul 8, 2009 - 5:19 pm 4. Palestinian Taliban Arrest Palestinian Feminist. Government Promises Investigation « Free Us Now Weblog:

[...] Please read more here: http://pajamasmedia.com/phyllischesler/2009/07/08/palestinian-taliban-arrest-palestinian-feminist-go... [...]

Jul 8, 2009 - 6:02 pm 5. Meryl:

Thank you again, Ms. Chesler.

The facts, the facts, the facts…on every front of issues facing our nation….desparately needed and often missing. The work you are doing is so important.

Jul 8, 2009 - 11:02 pm 6. Pajamas Media » Gaza Taliban vs. Palestinian Women:

[...] Read the entire piece here. [...]

Jul 9, 2009 - 1:19 am 7. Norman Simms:

It is interesting that today a pair of Islamic experts in Paris published a report saying that not only are these women’s garments a travesty of Muslim tradition but that the design of the maqbar is barely 70 years old. True or not, it is better that this argument take place among the experts than not.

At the same time, we must recognize, that none of this historical or theoretical discussion by experts means much until the realities on the street–and on the beachfront!–are dealt with as matters of urgency.

Norman

Jul 9, 2009 - 1:26 am 8. RandyChandler:

Asma’a Al-Ghoul and Phyllis Chesler: two courageous women. God bless you both.

Jul 9, 2009 - 4:18 am 9. wayne:

It is good that Obama has gone out to tell the world about how much he appreciates this Islamist ideology and how he has apologized for our sins and our prejudice against it.

Jul 9, 2009 - 4:51 am 10. Lynn:

It seems that life has become death for these people and fear of each other has become a daily fact of life/death. I have often pondered why there is such hatred for the female even spreading between females.

I don’t think this world is a welcome place for them, which affirms my belief that the world does not belong to the good spirit, but to a darker force which finds it necessary to split asunder the partnership that can often be so wonderful between men and woman, parents and children or between siblings.

I also believe that the gift given to females of enmity between and the instinctive recognition of evil, cause those who follow the dark path to suppress and control woman so they can remain in power.

Woman being nurturers for the most part, are also vulnerable to caring for their fellow man/woman-kind which many times leads them to suffer the cycle of violence always hoping things will change if only the perpetrator of the violence is appeased or they themselves take the blame for what is making their oppressor angry.

I don’ want to think the situation is hopeless but there are times when hopelessness takes over. We are fortunate that there are those who tell these stories and I admire the great strength of heart it takes to absorb them and soldier on.

Jul 9, 2009 - 6:32 am 11. AThinkingPerson:

Amidst all of the human tragedies going on in Gaza, our President still feels like having a conversation with Hamas (aren’t they a terrorist group???)…

http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/06/25/world/worldwatch/entry5114083.shtml

Maybe if more people would read wonderful articles like this which highlight the people suffering in their daily lives, Obama would feel emboldening enough to take a stand. For once.

Jul 9, 2009 - 6:48 am 12. Ms. Attitude:

This is one of the many issues that the Feminist movement should be screaming about. Instead, time and money are wasted by NOW demeaning men and demanding abortion.

Jul 9, 2009 - 7:02 am 13. George Jochnowitz:

A culture built on hatred against others turns out to hate its own people as well.

On Page 22 of the July 9th New York Daily News, there is a headline saying: “Israeli Army major hurt–in N.Y.” The story is a reminder of the role that women have always played in the Israeli army and in the Israeli government. Think of Golda Meir, the first head of government who was neither the daughter nor the wife of a previous head of government.

The perpetrators were two teenagers. The story also reminds us that juvenile delinquents, who fight gang wars against those they consider their enemies, are willing to hurt anybody and everybody. Hamas and street gangs have a lot in common.

Jul 9, 2009 - 7:02 am 14. "progressive"watch:

This misnamed honor killing gives any wacko male the right to murder; it is societal approved wacko male tyranny over women victims.

Jul 9, 2009 - 7:07 am 15. jw:

The Arabs in Gaza were better off under the rule of Israel than they are now, under the rule of Hamas. So are those in Judea and Samaria.

Jul 9, 2009 - 7:23 am 16. I Blame the Parents:

The article does point out that women are equally to blame for the abuse against their gender – they give societal approval for honor killings and such.

Too many Westerners put all the blame on the men. This is simplistic.

Jul 9, 2009 - 7:30 am 17. Theo Goodwin:

Ms. Chesler writes:

“Asma’a wonders whether Hamas would become more flexible, more tolerant, if they were part of a real government. “Now, they are like a caged cat that has become a tiger.” I reminded her that the Islamists in Iran and Saudi Arabia also think they are gods and they have full state legitimacy–and they have largely caged and murdered women and dissidents. Their policies on women are reprehensible.”

This is very revealing. Even Asma is willing to excuse her tormentors. Ms. Chesler is doing one fine job.

Jul 9, 2009 - 8:03 am 18. Two Courageous Women at War with ‘Honor-Killing’ Murders | Jesus Lives!:

[...] Chesler has written about an important recent case which has received

Jul 9, 2009 - 8:33 am 19. Two Courageous Women at War with “Honor-Killing” Murders « N. Virginia, Richmond, VA and DC Metro Chapter:

[...] Chesler has written about an important recent case which has received

Jul 9, 2009 - 10:54 am 20. Dr. Bukk:

25 victims per year seems a small amount. In 2004, 1,159 women were murdered by an intimate partner in the U.S. Not to excuse the heinous “Religion of Peace” which preaches hatred, gender apartheid, polygamy, child sexual abuse, bestiality, etc.

Jul 9, 2009 - 12:08 pm 21. Oscar the Grump:

Great article, keep it up. It’s bound to have an effect.

Jul 9, 2009 - 2:01 pm 22. sm:

Thank you for writing and letting us know it

Jul 9, 2009 - 3:23 pm 23. Athena:

Dr. Bukk, The population of Gaza is 1.4 million, assume half are female; that of the U.S., 300 million; assume 150 mil. female. I will leave you to do the math although your point is still valid.

Jul 9, 2009 - 9:17 pm 24. Max Friedman:

So Hamas has turned out to be a Islamofascist group? Who would have thunk?

Obama turns out to be pro-Moslem, anti-US, anti-Israel, anti-Honduran freedom, silent on Iran, Hezbollah, Red Chinese repression, No. Korean missiles and kidnapping of two women journalists, of corruption in the UN, of stealing votes by ACORN, for lobbyists in his administration, following Saul ALinsky’s red rules for revolution, and having terrorists as political friends.

Who would have thunk?

Just wait till you see what Comrade Obama and his merry band of marxists mavens and czars do. Lenin, Trotsky and Stalin are rolling in their graves with laughter and glee.

Meanwhile, the American, Honduran, Iranian, No. Korean, and Israeli people are crying.

Jul 9, 2009 - 9:56 pm 25. Mrs.Evans24-7:

Could someone please help me understand this: “A woman wearing a black folk dress consisting of two parts with only the forehead and one eye revealed said, “She deserves to die… She should be a way to give a lesson to others.” I am missing something in the translation, perhaps language, perhaps cultural.

Dr. Bukk, of those 1159 women killed in the US, how many of those were “honor killings” of the same ilk as reported here? “Honor killings” do happen in the US and may be on the rise. While it is true that a large percentage of US women are killed by people they know intimately (and let’s be honest – a husband or boyfriend), those killings are about jealousy – if-I-can’t-have-you-no-one-can. To me, there is a huge difference between that and “honor killings,” although unfortunately both have the same result: a woman murdered by someone who was supposed to lover her.

Jul 10, 2009 - 5:41 am 26. davod:

Maybe this was all propaganda- but I do recall reading and seeing on TV some years ago the that the Palestinians in Palestine (To use the common term) had a better standard of living and eductation opportunities than all but the most benevolent Arab states.

The rot started with Oslo and the return of Arafat and the PLO. There was a robust political debate in Palestine. After Arafat it was either – you are with me or dead.

Jul 10, 2009 - 6:06 am 27. Steve:

Hopefully those women that live in Gaza will help to vote Hamas out of power. Hamas has taken a religion and gone to the utmost extremes with it. Wearing garb that basically has people walking around in a more refined “unknown comic” uniform (gong show style) is insane. Although I wouldn’t mind it if Nancy Pelosi, Maxine Waters, and others in congress wore stuff like that so I wouldn’t have to see them.

Jul 10, 2009 - 10:04 am 28. Oscar the Grump:

Dr. Bukk
“25 victims per year seems a small amount. In 2004, 1,159 women were murdered by an intimate partner in the U.S.”

If the population of Gaza is one million, using proportionality, That number would translate to 7500 victims in US terms. If the population of Gaza is two million that number translates to 3250. Conversely in US terms, using proportionality, the Gaza death rate should only be less than 4 persons.

This means that the death rate of women murdered in Gaza is over six times greater than it is in the US.

Jul 10, 2009 - 2:28 pm 29. laka:

Well, I am definitely against feminism and feminofaschism. But I am strongly for EQUAL rights to men and women, black and white, red or yellow.

Therefore I support this journalist in her struggle to reveal the inhuman society in Gaza and also the rest of the Islamic world. She says she is a secular muslim – but maybe she should consider if such a thing really exist?

Wish her struggles leads to a better world for the women in the arabic world.

Jul 10, 2009 - 4:23 pm 30. SenatorMark4:

Please. This tool to free them is on their shoulders already! If you were suppressed by force how much would you give to be “forced” to wear a piece of clothing that covered you completely, hid your face, and camoflaged your carry weapon. When these women understand that they can act, today, they will gain their freedom. Small squads of burkha clad gorillas freely passing through the lines will change their world in a week. They’re just too cowardly today.

Jul 10, 2009 - 8:23 pm 31. Oscar:

“When has talking about the very basic right of a human being–the right to life–become taboo, a topic one must be ashamed of?”

I don’t know about Gaza, but in the US that happened around 1973.

Jul 11, 2009 - 7:07 pm 32. Asma’a Al-Ghoul:

I should perhaps be more clarification
You are here as long as a Muslim by birth parents as well .. and so written in the ID card
..
Identity, which I would like to introduce myself through: I am a secular human being ..

Jul 12, 2009 - 9:54 am 33. Millie:

“Taliban False Soldiers Of Islam”..I found this very insightful artical on muslimsvoiceofamerica/blog

http://muslimsvoiceofamerica.com/blog/2009/04/taliban-false-soldiers-of-islam/

Jul 15, 2009 - 12:40 am 34. zeba:

Another intersting article…

http://muslimsvoiceofamerica.com/blog/2009/07/lifting-the-veil-on-the-debate-over-veils/

http://muslimsvoiceofamerica.com/blog/2009/07/honor-killing-and-islam/

Jul 20, 2009 - 10:28 am 35. canadol:

There’s no depth in this articule. We know all those religious crimes. Many of that is from tradition and backwardness.
Autor is wondering how the palestinian women were more free before……huh, huh, huh.
This is obvieous influence of continuing occupation. Hamas was voeted into because Fatah did not delivered promised independance and homeland. So they turned to radicals. I know this as in Poland during Solidarity, atheists used church to fight with the opressor and for independance. This is good tool and desperate is tking whatever is available. So don’t play a stupid, analisr the real issue. Indepedence first. Free Palestine!!!!

Jul 20, 2009 - 7:24 pm 36. Paul B.:

No, not independence first. Righteousness first. The day the Palestinians demonstrate that they are a people who cherish peace and respect, world opinion will crushingly demand that they have their own state. But they refuse to grant Israel the right of existence, so any concessions would only be used by them to gain advantage.

This article is further proof, if any were necessary, that Islamic culture is a nightmare of hyper, warped values. The coercion and legalism are stifling, unbearable, and the toll is taken in innocent human life.

That’s what happens when religion is advanced at the edge of the sword. Christianity learned that lesson a long time ago and finally returned to its Founder’s teachings. Islam has yet to learn it, and to whence can it return?

Sep 3, 2009 - 4:01 am