One of the problems that has led to so much violence against women in
Islamic societies is a refusal to take responsibility for one's actions,
and an attempt to point the finger at someone else ("I only did it because
so-and-so did such-and-such). The article by Qazi Faez Isa is not only
offensive, it is fundamentally dishonest. Obviously, the Jewish answer to
stoning for adultery is not "yes" but "no" - as is clear from every Jewish
community around the world.What Qazi Faez Isa should be saying is that NO community other than Islamic communities accept this practice, and that the reason it is accepted is because those in power (from national to local levels) support it. These constant efforts on the part of so many in the Islamic world to turn everything into anti-Jewish sentiment undermine the fundamental honesty and respect for human life that underlies all efforts to end violence against women. I would like to see more (any) Muslim women step forward and condemn this type of statement and effort to deflect responsibility by falsely blaming someone else. It is a reality that the cultures of many countries in which Islam is the dominant religion support violence against women (and others). It is good that some Muslims are willing to say that stoning is "un-Islamic." But it IS part of a culture that uses Islam to support violence against anyone whom those in power find a useful victim. Until this type of action is faced -- and condemned -- no real change will occur. Regards, Carol Bretton Women's Rights Advisor >Stoning to death: Zia's legacy > By Qazi Faez Isa > >Does religion prescribe the punishment of stoning for adultery? The >Jewish answer to this question would be 'yes'. The Old Testament, >explicitly depicts various adulterous sexual acts, and prescribes that >those indulging in them be "put to death" (Leviticus 20:10-21). ***End-violence is sponsored by UNIFEM and receives generous support from ICAP*** To post a message, send it to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To subscribe or unsubscribe, send a message to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>. In the 1st line of the message type: subscribe end-violence OR type: unsubscribe end-violence Archives of previous End-violence messages can be found at: http://www.edc.org/GLG/end-violence/hypermail/
