Bloodthirsty Liberal

Wouldn’t it be funny if the “reformation” that some have called for in Islam is carried out by women? I’m not saying it’s going to happen, but wouldn’t it be freaky if it did?

It’s not like some aren’t trying:

In February, 2007, reformist Saudi author Wajeha Al-Huwaidar published a satirical poem titled “When” that lamented conditions in the Arab world; now she has written a sequel, which was posted on the Arab liberal website Aafaq on May 13, 2007.

“When your neighbor throws trash in your path, and calls you foul names, and urges his sons to accost your sons at school and in the street, and incites the men and women of the neighborhood against you so that they will harass your wife and daughters - and the reason [for all this] is that you are from a minority that doesn’t belong - this is ugly racism that has taken root. And you can be sure that it is not a Western conspiracy that has been hatched against you; this is a product of your own country.”

Poem? I’m not so sure. But at least it’s clear.

This woman got canned, however—and I’m not even sure what she said:

The Afghan parliament has voted to suspend MP Ms. Malalay Joya from parliament for making critical comments.

In a TV interview, she said, “The donkey carries loads while the mare provides milk. The parliament is worse than a stable.”

Ms. Joya, 28, has a long record of criticizing Afghan leaders, particularly those with Taliban connections.

That’s as obscure as most modern poetry, but they didn’t suspend her over literary criticism. I guess offense was intended, and taken.

But you can’t be sure they understood it any better than I did, when you read this story:

The Jordanian daily Al-Dustour has reported that not a single Arab or Muslim university is included among the 300 best universities worldwide.

The paper also reported that none of the Muslim countries, some of which are extremely wealthy, are among the 20 countries that spend the most on research and development.

What do you want to bet that Barnard, Bryn Mawr, Smith, and Wellesley are on the list?

UPDATE

Kamangir has more on Beat-a-Persian-Woman Month (which we covered here), with plenty of video.

A police statement on the issue:

“The incident in 7 Tir Square will be investigated carefully”. He added “The officers were questioning a few improperly veiled women when an officer noticed that a young lady is capturing the scene using her cell phone. She was asked to come to a Police office for explaining her action. Her objection caused a physical struggle between the officer and the girl and that attracted the passersby.”

The nerve some women have!