A Glimmer of hope for Muslim Reform
If Islam can be changed only the women can do it. In almost 1400 years the men have not changed it. They like it just like it is. It should be to no surprise to the regular readers the women do not. Don’t take this woman lightly to even hint there maybe a problem with Islam is Dangerous, especially for a Muslim woman. I wish her luck.
February 28, 2007 MEMRI
In a Satirical Poem, Saudi Author Laments Conditions in the Arab World
In a satirical poem titled “When,” posted on Arabic reformist websites
including www.aafaq.org, reformist Saudi author and journalist Wajeha
Al-Huwaider lamented what she regards as the conditions in the Arab
world. In the introduction to this poem, she wrote: “‘When’ is an ode to
the troubles of the Arab citizen. Both men and women participated in its
[writing], and it is still open to additions. This ode will be hung on
the walls of the palaces of the Arab rulers, (1) so feel free to add you
contributions.”
The following are excerpts from the poem:
“When you cannot find a single garden in your city, but there is a
mosque on every corner – you know that you are in an Arab country…
“When you see people living in the past with all the trappings of
modernity – do not be surprised, you are in an Arab country.
“When religion has control over science – you can be sure that you are
in an Arab country.
“When clerics are referred to as ’scholars’ – don’t be astonished, you
are in an Arab country.
“When you see the ruler transformed into a demigod who never dies or
relinquishes his power, and whom nobody is permitted to criticize – do
not be too upset, you are in an Arab country.
“When you find that the large majority of people oppose freedom and find
joy in slavery – do not be too distressed, you are in an Arab country.
“When you hear the clerics saying that democracy is heresy, but [see
them] seizing every opportunity provided by democracy to grab high
positions [in the government] – do not be surprised, you are in an Arab
country…
“When monarchies turn into theocracies, and republics into hybrids of
monarchy and republic – do not be taken aback, you are in an Arab
country.
“When you find that the members of parliament are nominated [by the
ruler], or else that half of them are nominated and the other half have
bought their seats through bribery… – you are in an Arab country…
“When you discover that a woman is worth half of what a man is worth, or
less – do not be surprised, you are in an Arab country…
“When you see that the authorities chop off a man’s hand for stealing a
loaf of bread or a penny, but praise and glorify those who steal
billions – do not be too surprised, you are in an Arab country…
“When you are forced to worship the Creator in school and your teachers
grade you for it – you can be sure that you are in an Arab country…
“When young women students are publicly flogged merely for exposing
their eyes – you are in an Arab country…
“When a boy learns about menstruation and childbirth but not about his
own [body] and [the changes] it undergoes in puberty – roll out your
prayer mat and beseech Allah to help you deal with your crisis, for you
are in an Arab country…
“When land is more important than human beings – you are in an Arab
country…
“When covering the woman’s head is more important than financial and
administrative corruption, embezzlement, and betrayal of the homeland -
do not be astonished, you are in an Arab country…
“When minorities are persecuted and oppressed, and if they demand their
rights, are accused of being a fifth column or a Trojan horse – be
upset, you are in an Arab country…
“When women are [seen as] house ornaments which can be replaced at any
time – bemoan your fate, you are in an Arab country.
“When birth control and family planning are perceived as a Western plot
- place your trust in Allah, you are in an Arab country…
“When at any time, there can be a knock on your door and you will be
dragged off and buried in a dark prison – you are in an Arab country…
“When fear constantly lives in the eyes of the people – you can be
certain that you are in an Arab country.”
Endnotes:
(1) This is an allusion to the Seven Mu’allaqat, famous sixth century
odes which, according to Arab legend, were hung in pre-Islamic times on
the walls of the Qa’ba in Mecca.
27 February, 2007 at 7:39 pm
When you see a sign on the road which reads Infidels (this way), you know you are in a Muslim country America calls friend.
False god worshipping POS!
27 February, 2007 at 8:28 pm
My kind of reading from a Muslim. She writes far better than Mr.Perfect did when he wrote up the Koran, that’s for sure.
27 February, 2007 at 8:40 pm
The Saudi’s give women free education’s, one of their many “rewards” cleverly disguised as a control mechanism. She has started making them regret that policy, good for her.
28 February, 2007 at 8:55 pm
She is an apostate! Off with her head said the religion of peace.
4 March, 2007 at 4:23 pm
MEMRI is run by israel’s unfamous terrorist organization mossad.
MEMRI is the abbreviation for Middle East Media Research Institute, a pro-Israel organization with headquarters in Washington DC and its Media Centre in Israel.
A non-profit in Washington DC that specializes in translating and circulating mainly Arab-language materials, selected to display the Arab world in a poor light, to the advantage of Israel.
The MEMRI debate was very much truncated, and the full debate had the scholar for the most part patronizing her, and not taking her seriously.
Her arguments were just too childesh to take seriously, and the audiacity of her facile questioning for the most part seemed like trolling rather than engaging in debate.
The showing for the scholar was hardly as bad as MEMRI makes it look…
This may enlighten you about their organisation:
Fake Saddam Interview Put Out By MEMRI : SF Bay Area Indymedia
A knowledgeable US government official has informed “Iraq News” that the ‘remarkable’ interview with Saddam Hussein, published by MEMRI TV, is almost certainly a hoax.”
4 March, 2007 at 5:21 pm
Thanks for the update on MEMRI but I don’t really see the relevance to this particular article the poet was a Muslim female making fun of Islam’s intolerance. MEMRI may do as you say and cherry pick articles which paint Islam or Muslims in general in a bad light but if that is the case they don’t have too look very hard. Painting Islam in a favorable light now that would be much harder.
4 March, 2007 at 8:35 pm
Harris Brio,
It’s a war of Ideas and words that both sides engage in.
Case in point is the article I just recently posted, entitled, “You can’t handle the truth!”
As for the allegations directed at MEMRI:
MEMRI’s translations of various statements made in the Arabic and Persian languages (farsi) have always stood up to scrutiny whenever I have taken the time to verify their translations.
“Cherry Picking” specific interviews and speeches is hardly grounds for dismissing the truth behind the content of MEMRI’s translations.
As for the, “Fake Saddam” interview, here’s something interesting:
In the following link:
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2006/03/30/18122221.php?printable=true
The SF Bay Area Indymedia news service claims that the fake Saddam interview was Special Dispatch No. 1127. A check of MEMRI’s Special Dispatch archives:
http://memri.org/bin/articles.cgi?Page=archives&Area=sd&ID=SP112706
reveals SP No. 1127 to be about an Iranian reformist website claiming that the Iranian government is trying to silence internal dissent about Iran’s nuclear program. Nope, nothing here about a Saddam Interview. Also of note, the article says that Laurie Mylroie’s email address is: “sam11(at)erols.com. However, a quick trip over to her website:
http://www.lauriemylroie.com/
reveals that her email address is “mylroie2(at)yahoo.com”
Since I cannot verify the claims made by Indymedia, I have sent an email to Doctor Mylroie, asking her for more information on this topic.
Cheers,
Doctor Bulldog
13 March, 2007 at 1:44 pm
It boils down to crediability. One using an organization which lacks credibility loses credibility. Islam actually has no worries. It isn’t as insecure as Christianity. Crusades, Inquisition, Mongol invasion and Colonialization have all failed to destroy Islam. Christianity falls flat on its face with a mere mention of the Big Bang theory. But I’m not interested in Islam…
My point in posting the MEMRI history is:
If you are going to condemn Islam, which you have every right to do since it scares you the most. Use a non-aligned organization and one that has some credibility. I’m just one individual who came across your article. And decided to inform you of the organization you are chosing to hold up as a source for your inspiration. Now just think about how many saw MEMRI and simply dismissed your websites diatribe…
You stated:
“Muslim female making fun of Islam’s intolerance.”
She actually isn’t make fun of Islam, but of Saudi culture. Saudi Arabia is an ally of the United States, you may disagree but George Bush said so. You see how you are starting to lack credibility. This is exactly what happens when one uses an unreliable translation to make a statement…
Also you stated:
“MEMRI may do as you say and cherry pick articles which paint Islam or Muslims in general in a bad light but if that is the case they don’t have too look very hard.”
But you must see it not just from your point of view. Someone sees an organization cherry picking to make anything look bad. Seems to say that-that, “anything,” must really not be bad if it requires cherry picking to make it look bad…
13 March, 2007 at 4:37 pm
It boils down to crediability. One using an organization which lacks credibility loses credibility. Islam actually has no worries. It isn’t as insecure as Christianity. Crusades, Inquisition, Mongol invasion and Colonialization have all failed to destroy Islam. Christianity falls flat on its face with a mere mention of the Big Bang theory. But I’m not interested in Islam…
–I didn’t realize Christianity fell, it seems every church in Tampa has added additions or they are in the process. As far as Muslim creditability-I think the only reason the have any at all is due to ignorance of Islamic history. It did not take me long to decide they really do want a global Caliphate and Shiria law to be forced upon the entire world. I do wonder why the Big Bang Theory doesn’t discredit Allah but then again I think everything discredits him. I rarely get into religion but I did enough personal research to convince myself that Christians and Muslims do not now nor ever have worshiped the same deity. I do realize some Christians do claim otherwise.
My point in posting the MEMRI history is:
If you are going to condemn Islam, which you have every right to do since it scares you the most. Use a non-aligned organization and one that has some credibility. I’m just one individual who came across your article. And decided to inform you of the organization you are chosing to hold up as a source for your inspiration. Now just think about how many saw MEMRI and simply dismissed your websites diatribe…
–Actually I could careless if people dismiss my diatribes. That is thier right. I would rather they read a few of the articles and attempt to decide if I am some Muslim hating nutcase and read a few books to see where I went wrong. I am convinced most people will slowly break away from the pro Islamic crap floating around the media and compare Muslim history with their rhetoric. Maybe Memri is not a great source but they do show Muslims doing what they do best, ranting, raving and threatening. I do look around for other sources and I my mind I make an effort to see the writers point of view. Granted I will occasionally disagree with it.
You stated:
“Muslim female making fun of Islam’s intolerance.”
She actually isn’t make fun of Islam, but of Saudi culture. Saudi Arabia is an ally of the United States, you may disagree but George Bush said so. You see how you are starting to lack credibility. This is exactly what happens when one uses an unreliable translation to make a statement…
–As you say Saudi is an ally, one I fought to protect but we all make mistakes and pointing out they play both sides does not make me wrong. The Saudi version of Islam is one of the most oppressive, manipulative, controlling and intolerant forms of Islam. They are also trading partners and help control the price of oil at expectable levels. That doesn’t mean they would not like to see the USA collapse. I reserve the right to be wrong, say non PC things and piss off the worlds Muslims by drawing attention to them and their actions. If that is a threat to world peace and a threat to an Ally of the US too bad. It humbles me when I see the number of daily readers. I would like to think I have some that agree 100% of the time some 50% and some never. I have changed my own mind about issues over the year’s that is natural progression. My biggest fear is not that they don’t read this blog it is that I will not be able to answer most of the posts.
Also you stated:
“MEMRI may do as you say and cherry pick articles which paint Islam or Muslims in general in a bad light but if that is the case they don’t have too look very hard.”
But you must see it not just from your point of view. Someone sees an organization cherry picking to make anything look bad. Seems to say that-that, “anything,” must really not be bad if it requires cherry picking to make it look bad…
–I still like MEMRI, I find the videos of main stream Muslim Clerics ranting very humorous. I don’t know what I would do for fun if all the Muslims went away. So far they have never let me down. They are what they are. I have fun pointing at them and showing them as I see them. I always show the source material and anyone can visit the site and see for themselves. They do not have to take my word for anything nor my point of view. I will keep doing this until they change or I get bored of it. I appreciate your feedback, granted I am not as educated, as good a writer or even as worldly as most anti Islam sites but it is a big net and I have laid claim to this tiny spot in it.
15 March, 2007 at 10:28 am
You stated:
“I didn’t realize Christianity fell, it seems every church in Tampa has added additions or they are in the process.”
I suppose Tampa adding additions to thier buildings is an indication of Christianity progressing on the theory of Evolution. Your not making any sense, who cares what Tampa does. Tampa isn’t the hub of Christianity, in fact its not the hub of anything well perhaps hurricanes. But Jesus sent those, so its acceptable.
You are saying Islam lacks crediability, but are using a source that lacks credibility to stress it. Again that may work wonderfully in Christian circles but in reality its passed upon. You perhpas still believe Iraq has WMD’s because Colin Powell said it does, you believe Powell because he attended a Church in Tampa, that is making additions. Again where is the fact. Thats all asking for a credible theory.
You stated:
“Actually I could careless if people dismiss my diatribes. ”
Then why are you making a counter arguement. Why are you dismissing the dismissal. I don’t know if anyone actually cares if you hate or do not hate Muslims. You are trying to provide the public what you claim to be facts from an organization that lacks credibility. I am forced to bring up the Iraqi WMD fiasco again. Factless opinions to generate support become a burden. This is what happens when you say you follow the Prince of Peace, welcome war based on lies, use sub-standard sources, then your Prince of Peace lacks credibility. That is what is happening to Muslims and Islam, Osama did what you are doing. See the consequence…
You stated:
“I reserve the right to be wrong, say non PC things and piss off the worlds Muslims by drawing attention to them and their actions.”
Then they have every right to do the same to you don’t they. From your rant it seems they have taken the edge. Thats a shame to lose coherence because your entire point is to anger some people. But then Evangelicalism is based on anger and frustration, it recruits the most despondents of persons. One could easily bring up the Evangelical insistence on banning inter-racial marriage, which drew support from white Christian fathers. Take a look at the KKK their sole purpose is to get kicks from “pissing those not like them, off.”
You stated:
“If that is a threat to world peace and a threat to an Ally of the US too bad.”
Well you can’t help that, its part of the Evangelical faith, Armigeddeon, Rapture, thouand years of Christs reign, blood as high as a horse bridle. If one is to even look at Evangelicalism one shudders. Peace is very much a danger to the life of Christian Evangelicalism. As much if not more than Saudi Arabia’s Wahhabiism.
Taking a brief and quick look at Evangelicalism, one is automatically taken to see the “Rapture.” The Rapture consists of war to convert Jews to the reign of Christ. Under Evangelical management the Final Solution has been renamed the Rapture. Similiar to Hitlers thousand year reign the Third Reicht. Jesus will too have a thousand year reign. Muslims may just be the only ones willing to stop the, “Rapture,” since it guarantees nothing but total annihilation to for them. And obviously that is your true anguish.
You Stated:
“I still like MEMRI, I find the videos of main stream Muslim Clerics ranting very humorous.”
Your telling me your entire reason for discussing points is to have fun. What does that even mean, well I could easily dismiss it as immaturity, you are Christian after all. You do understand people are dying. Muslims, Christians, Atheists, but to you its all fun. So you use sources that lack credibility, because its fun. Your tackling a very serious issue, terrorism, the promotion of, is not fun. Abuse of human rights is not fun. The entire world is far off from becoming Christian. Normal people take certain issues very seriously. Perhaps you should begin each post with, “I’m just a fun guy, yuk, yuk, yuk.”
I hope you appreciate the humor of an anti-Christian, such as myself…
You sted:
“I will keep doing this until they change or I get bored of it.”
Ted Haggard, the minister who was the president of the 30 million member National Association of Evangelicals caught with a gay prostitute. Did the Christian thing and denied it. But good news ahead, he says he is now “completely heterosexual.” Haggard says he will prove he is completely heterosexual by having sex only with men who are completely heterosexual…
Carry on…
15 March, 2007 at 4:01 pm
Wow a very long winded argument that basically sums up that I am a Christian who hates Muslims because it is fun. Funny but false. I do enjoy this blog at times but make no mistake I am serous about warning anyone who will listen that Islam is dangerous.
I have never publicly stated my faith or lack of it in any blog. The reason I have not done so is it is not relevant. Nor for that matter are your counter arguments. This site warns people Muslims follow a false prophet and are attempting to violently overthrow the world and force their belief system on everyone. That is my belief you are more than welcome to believe otherwise.
As soon as Jews, Christians, Atheists or anyone else starts a cult bigger than Islam and develops a global reach, I will change the purpose of this site.
I retired from the military have both saved Muslims and hurt them while on active duty. I think that eliminates the hate part unless you want to brand me as confused. While I realize that not all 1.2 billion Muslims are psychotic killers I owe none of them anything. I don’t want to be a Muslim and I don’t think they have anything of value to offer the world as far as religion goes. So far I have yet to see any proof they can join civilization anywhere without attacking it both from within and without. All I do is show them acting as their belief system demands.
I don’t think American polices anywhere in the world are the cause of Muslim expansionist goals nor do I think they themselves are capable of changing. From my point of view almost 1400 years of Muslim history is positive proof they are a violent and oppressive people. As an American who has faced danger in the name of freedom I find Islam in general a sick, twisted and unchanging negative force which exists only to propagate itself. From my point of view free peoples are incompatible with Islam regardless of their Individual belief systems. The key word is individual. It is not Islamophobic to feel as I do and I do not apologize for my beliefs. Islam threatens everyone to include Muslim’s. They are by far the single biggest killers of Muslims. My individual beliefs in any deity would not be relevant to my analysis of Islam. I realize I didn’t address your distrust of Christians or the battle for the end times as seen by them or Muslims mainly because I have seen no reason to believe the two forces will cause it to occur.
14 April, 2007 at 8:19 pm
I have finally received an email from Dr. Laurie Mylroie (see my previous comments above). It seems that MEMRI TV did in fact publish a fake interview with Saddam. Here is her reply:
————————–
Thanks for the inquiry. Yes, MEMRI did post a
translation of a fake interview. Some time after the
correction that I sent out, they corrected the record
as well.
Laurie Mylroie
—————————-
So, that explains why MEMRI TV’s Special Dispatch No. 1127 was not the Saddam interview, as they have corrected the record.
It pays to always check your facts!
Cheers!