Islam Under Scrutiny by Ex-Muslims

A show of force at Rome women’s rights conference

On Saturday May 31 and Sunday June 1 Casa Internazionale Delle Donne (the International House of Women) in Rome was host to a great conference, entitled “Feminists for a Secular Europe”, organised by European Feminist Initiative. The theme of the conference was to build a secular Feminist Europe which respects human equal rights and dignity and freedom. More than 100 activists from France, Italy, Poland, Sweden, Germany, Croatia, Spain, Portugal, Denmark, Greece, Turkey, Bulgaria, Jordan, Palestine, Syria, Lebanon and Iran took part in this historical event.
The participants were all activists or representatives of different organisations working for women’s rights, human rights and secularism and campaigning to make the world a more humane and better place to live. They had come to Rome to build a new movement together. They were all focused and determined. They had an important goal and an inspiring vision. They all were eager to push this new campaign forward. Two days of heated debates, passionate discussions and comradeship brought enormous energy into the movement. A strong feeling of solidarity was present at all times.

From testimonies of discriminations, religious inroads into society and threat of religious reaction against individual and civil freedom, free thinking and women’s rights, to eloquent arguments for secularism were presented at the conference. A great deal of first hand information was offered on how the religious institutions have gained power in different countries and are threatening the important values which have been achieved through decades of struggle by progressive movements. “It is our freedom and basic economic, social and political rights at stake.” This was the message of the conference. Wanting to do something against this trend and to change the tide toward a free and humane Europe was the main passion of all.

I was there as the representative of Organisation for Women’s Liberation-Iran. It was a great feeling to be among these brave and active women and men. (Unfortunately only a couple of men were present. Hope to see more in the next conference.) I talked about the rise of religious movements in the past decades and about how Islamic movement has first come into existence out of USA’s efforts against the Soviet Union in the cold war era. The movement which was nurtured by the USA grew to become the monster known as political Islam and came into open war with its illegitimate father. The Irony is that this terrorist movement is still being strengthened and reinforced by policies and actions of state terrorism led by the United States. I mentioned how the veil is today a political statement rather than a religious practice. I urged the participants to show solidarity with the women’s movement fighting against political Islam and gender apartheid and not to shy away out of the fear of being be labeled a racist or Islamophobist. This is the propaganda war waged by the Islamists, using multiculturalism and cultural relativism to push their reactionary cause forward. These calls were received with great enthusiasm and approval. It was a great feeling to see the warmth and passion with which my speech and my proposals were received.

The conference was ended by a proposal for a secular Europe prepared by the organizers. The proposed manifesto was a well formulated and progressive document to be handed over to the European council. It proposed demands concerning women’s rights, scrapping any reference in the civil and family law to religions. Separation of religion from the state and judiciary, prohibition of religious studies in public schools, establishment of secular education, and sex education in public schools, legalization of abortion and providing free abortion and contraceptive, stopping state funds to religious institutions, etc. The manifesto was debated thoroughly. Proposals were submitted by participants and was agreed to prepare a second draft, taking into consideration the proposals of the conference.

OWL submitted two resolutions to the conference: one to condemn the Islamic Republic of Iran for attacking women on a daily basis for not observing the veil and arresting women’s rights activists, and to express solidarity with women’s liberation movement in Iran. The other resolution demanded that refugee status being granted to any woman fleeing misogynist threat or violence. These resolutions were unanimously passed amongst applauds. The conference also unanimously passed a resolution put forward by me and seconded by Maria Hagberg, from Network against Honour Crimes. The resolution condemned gender apartheid as a discriminatory system against half of humanity and demanded that it will be internationally renounced just the same way racial apartheid in South Africa was.

At the end every one left the conference with great deal of energy, a sense of joy for a fruitful conference, and with confidence that the first steps to build a strong, determined and compassionate secular feminist movement are taken. A warm applaud is due for the organizers who worked hard to make this event possible. Indeed, this conference was a great historical movement.

Pictures by Gerda Photo



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  • Name: Syed
  • Date: Monday June 09, 2008
  • Time: 00:46:12 -0700

Comment

Women's rights? What do thes bitches think? Islam has show the right way - thes jananas be behind purdah not shaking der boobies inpublic - yaAllah ,can men help not rapingthem.


  • Name: Horrible Islamic Laws in the Quran!?!
  • Date: Monday June 09, 2008
  • Time: 01:52:11 -0700

Comment

A Must Read Article: http://www.turntoislam.com/forum/showthread.php?t=35231


  • Name: M.W. In Canada
  • Date: Monday June 09, 2008
  • Time: 06:50:59 -0700

Comment

Wow! Azar Majedi, you are amazing! Secularism and women's rights go hand in hand, yet cultural relativism is too often used as the justification for the systemic abuse of women and children - even here in Canada. Thank you so much for such an uplifting article!


  • Name: Tanstaafl
  • Date: Monday June 09, 2008
  • Time: 06:57:30 -0700

Comment

Syed - are you a real person or just a bunch of college freshman having fun with us?


  • Name: islam says wifes are goats!!!
  • Date: Monday June 09, 2008
  • Time: 07:14:43 -0700

Comment

islam says wifes are goats!!! And are property of men who can only decicde what they should do. See how stupid it is!


  • Name: no wonder 4 out 5 converts in the west are our sisters,mothers,and daughters,ALLAH bless them.
  • Date: Monday June 09, 2008
  • Time: 09:50:01 -0700

Comment

Ideals and role models for women in Qur'an, Hadith and Sirah


  • Name: Ananda
  • Date: Monday June 09, 2008
  • Time: 11:55:06 -0700

Comment

((Syed)) As soon as you are a Muslim you become a dog and (((you can't help raping them))) and continue doing that in allah-paradise.


  • Name: Beowulf
  • Date: Monday June 09, 2008
  • Time: 12:41:51 -0700

Comment

I have to disagree here with the idea that abortion should be provided free by the state! In fact it is not free; it will be paid for by taxpayers. Why should taxpayers foot the bill for those who either cannot control their sexual appetites, fail to use contraception (indicating their own stupidity), or who refuse to take responsibility for their actions? If a person gets pregnant and wants an abortion, they should take responsibility and pay for it themselves. Otherwise it is simply passing the responsibility to others (millions of un-named taxpayers) who had nothing to do with that person's bumbling into pregnancy! If they are arguing from the standpoint that some cannot afford abortion, then they should form their own non-governmental support organizations to help with the cost. You may say I am old-fashioned, but then again, you are talking to somebody (me) who feels bad after accidentally stepping on a cricket or ant let alone snuffing out a developing human being. Life is valuable and especially human life. If you get pregnant and don't want the baby you should put it up for adoption after it is delivered and increase the joy in this world a little (and certainly the world could use a little joy). I simply find it disgusting that somebody will have an abortion merely because it is inconvenient to have a baby at that point in a person's life. Instead they should give it up for adoption or deal with the consequences of their irresponsibility. Now, having said all this I will also say that in the case of rape or in the case of the mother's life being threatened by the pregnancy, abortion is certainly an option that I do not object to. And perhaps the state may help in the financial costs in these cases exclusively. We are right to criticize islam, but we ourselves should not go too far in the other direction! Being too far to either side causes one to devalue human life and that is exactly what we are all trying to avoid! I view islam and abortion with the same level of disgust because in both human life is cheap. In both cases, it is money (in the case of abortion) or filthy supremacist ideology (in the case of islam) in exchange for death. I have had enough of both types! It is time for mankind (and womankind) to respect life period.


  • Name: Beowulf
  • Date: Monday June 09, 2008
  • Time: 12:53:50 -0700

Comment

Syed (the first person who posted on this article), you are truly sick! It is the responsibility of men to control their own sexual appetites no matter what the circumstance may be. A man cannot truly say that he is righteous unless he can withstand any temptation and not give in to it. All men should strive for this level of self-control. Which of the following men is more righteous: one who does not rape and who lives in a country where women are covered up like tents? Or, a man who lives in a country where women dress as they wish and yet controls himself not to rape and not to look upon them lustfully? Obviously it is the second because he has greater self control! From a religious point of view why do you think we are on this earth anyway? If you believe in God the only answer to this question is to exercises free agency and gain mastery over our animal appetites. One who is never exposed to temptation cannot become righteous just as one who never takes a math test cannot ever be said to be proficient in math! For logical thought and reasonable conclusions, use your brain instead of your penis!


  • Name: Showan Khurshid
  • Date: Monday June 09, 2008
  • Time: 15:03:34 -0700

Comment

Apart from labelling the USA as a terrorist state, I agree with most of other points. I do not know in what sense can you describe America as carrying out state terrorism? Islam has since its inception been potential threat to human civilisation. In any case, it was not America’s fault that most Iranian people backed Khomeini at the start, at least. Just to remind you and I am not implying that you are one of them, the Iranian leftists were promoting a ridiculous concept of Islamic Marxism and revolted together against the Shah. The main source of problem is the lack of proper understand of religions in general and not just Islam. This proper understanding of Islam and religions is not available in the Marxist worldview either, which explains the mortal mistake committed by Marxists in Iran, who in my opinion should have confronted Islamists even more than confronting Shah's regime. At least the latter had some civilisation aspects to it. I have in my other articles explained how and why religions come about. That is why I refuse all religions, although obviously, Islam is distinguished by being among the most vile among them.


  • Name: SHAME ON YOU .
  • Date: Tuesday June 10, 2008
  • Time: 13:38:14 -0700

Comment

Who are the Victims? Breakdown by Gender and Age Women 1in6 graphic 1 out of every 6 American women have been the victims of an attempted or completed rape in their lifetime (14.8% completed rape; 2.8% attempted rape). 17.7 million American women have been victims of attempted or completed rape. 9 of every 10 rape victims were female in 2003. While about 80% of all victims are white, minorities are somewhat more likely to be attacked. Lifetime rate of rape /attempted rape for women by race: * All women: 17.6% * White women: 17.7% * Black women: 18.8% * Asian Pacific Islander women: 6.8% * American Indian/Alaskan women: 34.1% * Mixed race women: 24.4% Men About 3% of American men — or 1 in 33 — have experienced an attempted or completed rape in their lifetime. * In 2003, 1 in every ten rape victims were male. * 2.78 million men in the U.S. have been victims of sexual assault or rape. Children 15% of sexual assault and rape victims are under age 12. * 29% are age 12-17. * 44% are under age 18. * 80% are under age 30. * 12-34 are the highest risk years. * Girls ages 16-19 are 4 times more likely than the general population to be victims of rape, attempted rape, or sexual assault. 7% of girls in grades 5-8 and 12% of girls in grades 9-12 said they had been sexually abused. * 3% of boys grades 5-8 and 5% of boys in grades 9-12 said they had been sexually abused. In 1995, local child protection service agencies identified 126,000 children who were victims of either substantiated or indicated sexual abuse. * Of these, 75% were girls. * Nearly 30% of child victims were between the age of 4 and 7. 93% of juvenile sexual assault victims know their attacker. * 34.2% of attackers were family members. * 58.7% were acquaintances. * Only 7% of the perpetrators were strangers to the victim. Effects of Rape Victims of sexual assault are: 3 times more likely to suffer from depression. 6 times more likely to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. 13 times more likely to abuse alcohol. 26 times more likely to abuse drugs. 4 times more likely to contemplate suicide. Pregnancies Resulting from Rape In 2004-2005, 64,080 women were raped. According to medical reports, the incidence of pregnancy for one-time unprotected sexual intercourse is 5%. By applying the pregnancy rate to 64,080 women, RAINN estimates that there were 3,204 pregnancies as a result of rape during that period. This calculation does not account for the following factors which could lower the actual number of pregnancies: * Rape, as defined by the NCVS, is forced sexual intercourse. Forced sexual intercourse means vaginal, oral, or anal penetration by offender(s). This category includes incidents where the penetration is from a foreign object such as a bottle. Certain types of rape under this definition cannot cause pregnancy. * Some victims of rape may be utilizing birth control methods, such as the pill, which will prevent pregnancy. * Some rapists may wear condoms in an effort to avoid DNA detection. * Vicims of rape may not be able to become pregnant for medical or age-related reasons. This calculation does not account for the following factors which could raise the actual number of pregnancies: * Medical estimates of a 5% pregnancy rate are for one-time, unprotected sexual intercourse. Some victimizations may include multiple incidents of intercourse. * Because of methodology, NCVS does not measure the victimization of Americans age 12 or younger. Rapes of these young people could results in pregnancies not accounted for in RAINN's estimates.


  • Name: jonathan
  • Date: Monday June 16, 2008
  • Time: 12:55:45 -0700

Comment

Even if those statistics are true where are the statistics from the islamic countries? How many woemn are raped without recourse to justice? she has to bring witnesses for the rape? she is ostracised from society rather than sympathised with. In all those gulf arab countries where they hire women from poor asian countries as domestic help, what happens to them? They are raped by the employer and the other male members of the family. The embassies of those countries repatriate so many women back to their country of origin at their own cost. All those crimes are supressed because islamic societies are closed societies where no census is taken on such issues. The rest of the non muslim world tries to find out the defects in their societies and correct it. But not islamic countries. So who suffers ? the islamic countries themselves. while the rest of the world is progressing economically, scientifically, technologically, islam is lagging behind. No wonder islamic countries get pushed around. It is hard for the west to push india and china and other non muslim asian countries because they have the economic, political. industrial, cultural , technological and even military power to counter the west. The islamic societies send suicide bombers to counter the west. What a mindless, ineffective way to deal with your opponents? India and china supply the world with agricultural, industrial products. They also supply the world with scientifically and technologically skilled workers. That is a big incentive for the rest of the world to treat these countries with respect. The islamic countries however do not have much to bring to the bargaining table except for suicide bombers which makes their propblems bigger rather than get them solutions.


  • Name: to Beowulf
  • Date: Tuesday June 17, 2008
  • Time: 21:12:04 -0700

Comment

How can you ask a Moslem (Syed) to control his own sexual appetite, while their prophet Mo, can easily have sex with any women he wanted? So sex is not a taboo in Islam, as long as you do it according to sharia laws. You can marry a woman this morning, and divorce her as soon as after you have sex with her. And in the afternoon you can marry other woman, and divorceher again after you have sex with her. So on and on like that. It is not a sin, because it goes along with Sharia Laws. So sharia laws = lustful laws. ha ha ha ....


 
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