Posted on 07/31/2003 5:17:00 AM PDT by Prodigal Son
A Muslim reservist airman is bringing a test case against the Ministry of Defence, after he was disciplined for refusing to take part in the Iraq war.
He is appealing on the grounds that his faith forbids him from fighting other muslims.
Moshin Khan from RAF Suffolk was called up earlier this year but failed to turn up. He was charged with going absent without leave.
His lawyers will argue that the European convention on human rights gives everyone the right to freedom of religious belief - including military personnel.
He is not the only person to have refused to serve in Iraq. Two other British servicemen, a private and an air technician from 16 Air Assault Brigade, were sent home from the Gulf after refusing to fight.
But they refused to fight for moral reasons and not religious ones.
In previous conflicts, conscientious objectors in the armed services have been jailed for refusing to fight.
Khan was arrested by Suffolk police after going absent without leave in February.
He had reported for training but then decided he could not fight and went into hiding. Police handed him over to RAF investigators.
/sarcasm
With any luck.
Muslim women get pool privacy- source Chicago Trib
CORALVILLE, Iowa -- Women whose Muslim culture and religion keep them from donning swimsuits and jumping into the pool on hot days got a treat from the local recreation center.
Workers there taped over the building's windows, giving privacy to a group of women from the University of Iowa Association of Muslims in America. They and their children were then able to swim in privacy Sunday night in the indoor pool at the Coralville Recreation Center.
"There's a certain level of modesty Muslims have to follow," said Asma Haidri, who studies prelaw and political science. "Only the face, hands and in some cases, the hair are allowed to be seen in public."
They arrived at the center wearing traditional khumurs, or headcovers, and long flowing dresses. Many swam in T-shirts and shorts instead of bathing suits.
"When you grow up near the water, you can really miss it," said Ghada Bawazeer, a pharmacy student who formerly lived near beaches of eastern Saudi Arabia.
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Now, one of the things I find interesting in this is the assertion by this Asma Haidri that Muslims can only let their hands and face show. This is merely his opinion. We have a very nice friend who is a Muslim woman from Iran. Her family wound up leaving after the Shah was overthrown. This young woman is very beautiful. She wears Western clothes and is very proud of her body. She goes to the gym in normal spandex type female workout garb, she wears a bikini to the beach and even sunbathes topless when the situation seems appropriate (ie when it seems acceptable or the norm at the beach in question).
This is the key difference between Western and other culture. Many dems in the past tried to draw comparisons between fundamentalist Christians living in the US and fundamentalist Muslims in the Middle East. The thing is, the key difference between the two and the one that renders the argument absurd is this idea that the individual should be the one to judge how he or she practices his or her religion. That simple idea is the major difference between Western Culture and Middle Eastern Culture. This friend of ours can lead a happy life the way she chooses, can assimilate into her new home succesfully (she's a doctor) and can still be a Muslim and identify culturally with Muslims.
Freedom. It's a glorious thing.
Hello,
This is in reply to your posting that I recently came across. First of all, I should clear up that I am a female (you incorrectly assumed that I am a male). My quote on modesty in Islam that appeared in the article is not simply an opinion, it is an Islamic rule for both men and women. (Quran 24:31)
Islam is a personal relationship with God so I agree with you that one should judge another. I also agree with you that no one should be forced or cover or be forced to do anything else. This is in accordance with Islam, which teaches us that there is no compulsion in religion (Quran 2:256). However, as we should respect those who don't choose to be modest we should also respect those who do. The private swimming was for women who cover and would otherwise not be able to swim in a pool. It was after hours so it did not interfere with anyone else's swimming time. The lifeguards were happy to work extra hours and make more money. The pool is regularly rented out after hours to people for private events, birthday parties, etc.
Lastly, I am American and have lived here my entire life. I wear western clothing also but enough to cover my body. I love and respect my body and that is why choose to cover it. It is incorrect to assume that because I am a practicing Muslim I must be from the Middle East. In fact, I have no family ties to the Middle East. I am studying to be a lawyer and have balanced my American and Muslim identities. It is ignorant of you to assume otherwise.
Thank you,
Asma Lori Haidri
Are you saying that American women don't love and respect their bodies because they wear bathing suits and shorts?
Not at all!
ok, just wanted to clear that up.
Islam is not a religion...it is a cult. If I'm doing it right, maybe you can read this when you have a moment.http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1277756/posts
BTTT
The article addresses some very important and horrific issues, but the author is discussing culture. Islam does not condone honor killings, rape, inequality of men and women, and the other injustices she points out in her article. Islam cannot be blamed for the misunderstanding and mispractice (or lack of practice) of what it teaches. If a drunk driver gets into an accident, do you blame the car or the driver? Don't blame Islam for the horrific actions of humans.
Islam denies women the right to anything except rape and torture. As a woman you should be appalled at your own religion rather than defend it.
You, according to your religion are worth only half a man. And you find this acceptable?
"Do not go back after [my death] to being infidels who strike each other's necks."
"If two Muslims fight with their swords and kill each other, the place of both the killer and the killed is in Hell."
"A Muslim is the brother of a Muslim; he does not abandon him and he does not give him away."
-Prophet Muhammad
(hadith)
bump
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