It is somewhat frightening that we have here in Australia moslems with the same mind-set. It is somewhat frightening that we have here in Australia those who would impose the stinking, foul, obscene, misogynistic sharia law. It is somewhat frightening that we have here in Australia those who preach that democracy and pagan islam cannot co-exist. Please I ask that all readers of this story about Afghan women GO TO THE HOME PAGE [RAWA] and be enlightened about the true aims of this brutal, death-loving, foul, pagan religion. Remember as I have stated in previous posts moslems are allowed and encouraged to lie to all unbelievers, it's stated in their miserable lying koran,it even has a name/title it's "al-taqiyya" I add this because there will be moslems who say they are moderates and they decry this shown brutality against (Afghan) women. Then there's the flamin 'bleeding hearts' who will see me as a hater of islamics. When of course as I have stated I only hate their murderous, lying, despicable religion. numbat

In Afghanistan, we see the modern version of the world of the Old Testament.

On a tribal level it is....

'Rule or be Ruled'
'Kill or be killed'

It is impossible to understand the situation in Afghanistan through western eyes or values.

Mariam is looking for some light it seems.. something to give more freedom to Afghan women.

Mariam, ask yourself this "If the US cannot or WILL not destroy the power of the warlords, and force them to change their cultural (enslaving women) and agricultural (growing drugs) practices... then who can or will ?

If you want freedom of the kind you speak, LEAVE the place. You would have to emmigrate, but are unlikely to be accepted as a refugee, just a normal migrant.

Another possibility, (see next paragraph) is embrace Christ as your Savior and Lord, as you indicated this brought INSTANT and WORLD WIDE attention to the region in the case of the Muslim convert.

I would never suggest embracing Christ for any other reason that that he is Lord, Savior, forgiver of sin, and coming again.

Perhaps in Him, you will find what you are looking for, the true freedom of the soul.

I've got a few reservations on your terminology "Revolutionary" ? huh ? that is sounding rather left wing/marxist to me.

I regret to have to inform you, that a) that is a failed ideology, and b) There is no country these days willing or interested in sponsoring such movements.

So, I conclude that Afghanistan is basically a basket case.

Stalin might have a few ideas.. exiling every last man woman and child as he did for the Chechens and viola.. no more Chechen problem.
Since they have been allowed to return,... voila.. ANOTHER Chechen problem.

The is as much likelihood of WarLords listening to yelling screaming activists as a snowflake suriving the fires of hell.

They exist by power, and status, and have no interest in seeing that undermined by noisy women.

You have 2 choices. War on the Warlords and change the culture,- or get out of the place.

Isn't RAWA a Maoist organisation? Who said communism is dead?

It is true that many women are treated worse than cattle in Afghanistan. But I doubt a Maoist group would have much to offer other than outdated revolutionary slogans.

Oh dear, another tirade against the Koran from Numbat when the topic goes far deeper.

I'm not trying to justify what's in the Koran but you should remember women aren't treated any better in the Bible.

Second-class citizens whose opinions are valueless and should not be heard, to be considered untrustworthy and not holy to God and so on.

I think women get short-shrift from most religions, one way or another.

Oh and just for the record, I don't hate brocolli.

I just hate the way it looks and how it smells, feels and tastes.

Miriam

'Good on ya'. You have great courage. No doubt you are muslim. I think we all understand the religion of Islam has been twisted and used by the misogynists, warlords, fundamentalists and others.

Women in the west agitated for exactly the freedoms you are wanting, just over a hundred years ago. Their cause and battle was not against a society dominated by religious fanatic's however they faced, as you face, a culture dominated by men.
They won their equality of rights with the support of their husbands, brothers and fathers.

Irfan

I am sure if maoism or communism had existed in those times many women would have become members...just as my forefathers and mothers were founding members of the labour movement. That movement, before it was reduced to the empty and deceptive shell it is today, saw decent working conditions and standards introduced and enforced across our society. Most of us today reject the labor movement in much the same way communism and maoism have been rejected. However at some point all those movements had a contribution and were an effective catalyist to change or at least were of some influence in changing existing ideas and norms.

How is your criticism relevant? Do you wish to see circumstances change for the women of Afghaqnistan? Don't you think all or any agitative and positive endeavours in achieving equality for Afghan women worthwhile?

David

I don't think public championing of any religion is any sort of reasonable answer. The Islamists and Islamic fundamentalists are absolute proof of that.

Women are treated better in the West because of the triumph of modern secular humanism over the fundamentalist forces of Christianity, The Islamic world is having a simular battle. The problem is many "good intended western Governments are empowering the fundamentalist rather then the moderates and secularist. This is the great problem, you can not force democracy on people they have to want it for themselves. But until they win their own freedom what freedom loving person can not want to help them win it. It’s a bit like bulling at school there really is no painless answer.

ps Numbat and BD have not so much seen the light but been blinded by it and now hide in the dark.