Once again the religion of peace stands up for women’s rights. In accordance with islamic law, women have the right to be banned from tv, along with music. Apparently the only music that is halal for muslims, is listening to the mosque loudspeaker’s call to prayer, which to me (I hear it twice a day living in the ummah) sounds like the guy sat on his testicles.
Saudi Clerics Urge Ban on Women, Music on Television
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — A group of Saudi clerics urged the kingdom’s new information minister on Sunday to ban women from appearing on TV or in newspapers and magazines, making clear that the country’s hardline religious establishment is skeptical of a new push toward moderation.
In a statement, the 35 hardline clergymen also called on Abdel Aziz Khoja, who was appointed by King Abdullah on Feb. 14, to prohibit the playing of music and music shows on television.
“We have great hope that this media reform will be accomplished by you,” said the statement. “We have noticed how well-rooted perversity is in the Ministry of Information and Culture, in television, radio, press, culture clubs and the book fair.”
Although it raises the pressure on the new minister, the recommendation is likely to have little effect. Khoja’s appointment was part of a government shake-up by Abdullah that removed a number of hardline figures and is believed to be part of an effort to weaken the influence of conservatives in this devout desert kingdom.
“No Saudi women should appear on TV, no matter what the reason,” the statement said. “No images of women should appear in Saudi newspapers and magazines.”
Saudi Arabia was founded on an alliance with the conservative Wahhabi strain of Islam that sees the mixing of sexes as anathema and believes the playing of music violates religious values.
The former information minister, Iyad Madani, earned the ire of hardliners several years ago by allowing music in government-run TV and female journalists to interview men, despite the country’s strict gender-segregation rules.
Women also appear on Saudi television with their faces showing, though most in public totally cover themselves.
Newspapers publish pictures of Saudi women, but almost always with their heads covered, while pictures of Western entertainers are shown but bare arms and cleavage are painted over.
The clerics include several professors from the ultra-conservative Imam University, Islamic research scholars, a judge in a court in the resort of Taif and some government employees.
French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, in town for meetings with Saudi officials, told a news conference that during lunch he sat between a female Saudi surgeon and a female journalist. He said while one woman is allowed to perform surgery and another is allowed to teach, neither is permitted to drive.
“I find that bizarre,” he said.
And of course the women’s rights groups who are quick to scream at the top of their lungs that women have the right to kill unborn babies remain silent when a real violation of women’s rights occurs(NOTE: The previous sentence about abortion is my opinion, and mine alone, and does not necessarily represent the views of everyone here at InfidelsAreCool). And of course we will still get countless muslimahs insisting that islam liberated women. I guess when a muslim kills his daughter/wife/sister/mother to preserve his “honor” it could be interpreted as liberating the muslimah from her life. Only in the muslim world.
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- Sad reality for women in Saudi Arabia
- First Saudi woman minister cannot appear on TV without permission
- Iran: Group of powerful clerics side with opposition, call election illegitimate
- Unholy row as Saudi clerics slam Ramadan TV
- Saudi wife arrested after going for an illegal drive
- Saudi Women petition to stay oppressed
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- Saudi religious police arrest actors for performing together with actresses
