Nigerian politicain Habiba Garba was the victim of premeditated violence as the result of continued harassment that she received after being targeted by a lawmaker by the name of Labaran Abdu Madari.
Madari is now in jail, waiting to be sentenced, however, the photographic evidence of the injuries that Ms. Garba sustained is causing some controversy because, as we know, Muslims are offended very easily… they are a fragile people, and the pictures of Garba’s injuries might show a bit too much skin:
From the BBC:
On Monday, the Triumph published the picture of Mrs Garba’s injuries showing the area just under her armpit and the scars on her torso.
“A women’s rights group came to the government to complain that her rights had been infringed by the publication,” said Sule Yau Sule, spokesman for the state government.
The picture shows part of her naked torso, and as publishing nudity is forbidden under Sharia law it violates rights to privacy.
Yeah, that’s it.
Maybe if you cover it up and deny there’s a problem, then women’s rights will magically get better on their own.
idiots
24 Comments
Once more you are mistaken. The Sharia is the only law known to mankind that offers women dignity.
Lets put it this way: would you want your wife or daughter’s picture published and posted everywhere for the world to see them half naked? If you had any decency at all you would say no.
And to begin with, this story has nothing to do with womens rights. She was involved in politics and anyone who puts their foot into anything should expect that there will be consecuinces. Men get abbused all the time, why dont they make a big deal out of that??
And since we are on the subject of women’s rights why dont you go and look up the statistics of violence against women or womens rights. You will find that the worst place in the world for women to reside is the United States.
On top of all of this I would like to ask where do you get your qualifications to discuss the Sharia? Like any law it deserves to have been studied before it is used. Feel free to dialogue anything on this issue with me. I have and currently am studying the fields of middle eastern politics, comparative law, Law (United States), as well as Sharia. I am studying them all seperatly so dont worry I haven’t only taken one class in each feild but instead have extensive knowledge in all four.
Peace-Salam-Shaloum
I am not from the USA (nor do I harbor a great deal of affection for much of the country) but something that I thought I might raise about the above comment about statistics of abuse against women (without checking the stats myself). The high levels of recordings of abuse against women in the USA is surely attributable to the thorough documentation and recording of reported crime statistics in the states – and the relative stats from countries where violent crimes and abuse of women is not well documented is null and void?
Are you a woman? It seems to me that, like all human beings, individuals will find dignity in a variety of ways which aren’t necessarily compatible from person to person.
No, let’s put it this way. Can I conceive of a situation where the publication of a photograph of my wife or daughter might be more beneficial than it is embarassing?
Yes.
Indeed. Any abuse should be reported and exposed. Covering your eyes to the problem will solve nothing.
Really? That’s not what I find… gotta link?
eh… homie…
Discussion ≠ Usage
I don’t plan on ever using Sharia.
Janan,
As a woman, I am astounded at your assertion that Sharia offers women dignity. Where is the dignity in having a woman’s testimony valued at half that of a man? Where is the dignity in a husband having the right, the RIGHT to beat a wife? Furthermore, where is the dignity in a woman not being able to choose her husband for herself? Where is the dignity in a woman having virtually no autonomy? Where is the dignity in being forced to have sex, with a husband she wasn’t allowed to choose, whenever he so desires? Tell me, Janan. Where is this dignity you think Sharia alone grants a woman? Whatever it is you have studied, apparently simple human dignity wasn’t on the syllabus.
Joe and Melo are right. I am American and I can say with certainty that the reason for the high numbers is because of thorough documentation by law enforcement agencies. The amount of abuse that goes on in certain parts of the world and especially to those women who live under sharia is most certainly higher than in any other part of the world and is most certainly underreported (if reported at all). If I were a woman or if it were my wife or daughter and there was physical injury to the body due to male abuse I would absolutely make it public. I would make sure that everyone could see it and hope that that would help to end violence against women.
@ melo, note that Janan referred to womens rights, not human rights – maybe according to sharia woman are subhuman…
Janan, speaking of sharia. They’re having a problem in England with getting muslims to raise their sleeves up to the elbow so they can prepare for surgery. Sharia trumping medical procedures for controlling the spread of disease?
It’s a shame, in this day and age, that shariah exists anywhere in the world. Religion must not be allowed as an excuse for violations of human rights. Calling it a ‘law’ is unacceptable. Let’s call what it is: another source of power for people who hate other people. Intelligent human beings of both genders live up to a much higher standard.
I am a Muslim. And I am a woman. If you are not schooled in the Shariah, you are not qualified to comment on it. With that said, it is a favorite Western past time to look at the lifestyles of other human beings and critique it, find its faults, and then claim that yours are better. Before you get all indignant, I am an American, born and raised, and for that matter so are my parents.
As for the Shariah and human rights, the people who live their lives as Muslim under the Shariah don’t seem to be having a problem with human rights. Scifialiens? This is just another arrogant, knowitall comment from someone who obviously does not know. Why is calling the Shariah a “law” unacceptable? To whom? Are you Muslim? Are you qualified to say what should be a law for these people? Do they have anymore right to tell you that your way of life is wrong? Would you accept that?
Muslim women have had the right to own property, vote, and inherit long before Western women have. Now that is Shariah. Muslim women are required to cover themselves, not as a punishment but as a way to draw atention away from their bodies so that the power of their minds will be regarded. But of course, here in the naked West, the concept of modesty is considered oppressive.
Life as a Muslim is a beautiful thing. I am a convert of nearly twenty years. I am an educated professional woman. No one beats me, forces me to cover my body, or makes me be a slave to my husband. I am not oppressed or unhappy or violated.
Who told you the misguided lie that Muslim women do not choose their husbands? The last word stands with her and her alone. What Muslim women don’t do, however, is date, shack up, and sleep around indiscriminantly until she has found the right partner. You won’t find her clubbing, drinking, and dating a series of different men. Yes, the shariah does offer her dignity. While it is true that there are plenty of Muslim women who are abused, why pick onthem or the Shariah. Plenty of women in the west are abused. Is anyone picking on Christianity becaue of it? While it is reprehensible, the fact is, abuse crosses all religious and cultural bounderies. It knows no particular group. And by the way, Islam does not sanction a man to beat his wife.
Simple human dignity? Do you really know what that is? Of course you do. You can define it for yourself, but you can not define it for the millions of woman and men who do not share your views.
Why not meet and get to know a real Muslim? Learn the difference between cultural aberrations and real Islam. There is a difference and they are often mistaken for the same thing. We are all human beings, and whether you agree or not, you are morally obligated to have your facts straight before condemning any group of people necasue their beliefs are different from you own. I chose Islam.
Well, that makes sense… otherwise, you might not be partaking in one of West’s favorite past-times… claiming moral superiority.
That’s what I said above.
http://djkonservo.wordpress.com/2008/02/27/sharia-justice-out-of-sight-out-of-mind/#comment-4790
I don’t give a shit. I know Muslims, and I know that everyone’s faith is something personal and does not necessarily mean the same thing from one individual to another.
Typical apologist.
Care to address the issue, or are you intellectually bankrupt to the point that you can do nothing but spew what your MAS-ters shove down your throat.
Khaalidah, still begs the question. Will you roll up your sleeves to properly prepare yourself for surgery? Or will you just du the wu du that u du picking your toes and blowing snot out your nose?
LOL! John
In Reply to Melo I only suggest you pick up a translation of the Quran and look up the issues you discuss.
In reply to Khallidah, Mashallah!
‘Muslim women have had the right to own property, vote, and inherit long before Western women have. Now that is Shariah. Muslim women are required to cover themselves, not as a punishment but as a way to draw atention away from their bodies so that the power of their minds will be regarded. But of course, here in the naked West, the concept of modesty is considered oppressive.
Life as a Muslim is a beautiful thing. I am a convert of nearly twenty years. I am an educated professional woman. No one beats me, forces me to cover my body, or makes me be a slave to my husband. I am not oppressed or unhappy or violated.’
You are too true. I am a staunch supporter of womens empowerment in the middle east but sometimes I question myself. What am i doing supporting women in the middle east, women who kknow more about being independant than the women here in the west. Women who’s history is draped in power. Then I remember, that I am not working to empower middle eastern women because meet any one of them and you’ll find they hold all they need but to make sure middle eastern women aren’t forgotten while the issues are being debated. For example we are constantly discussing the issues of women but have we ever considered that the few numbers of middle eastern immigrant women that are abused in the USA need shelters to go to. they are afraid to go to open shelters because of language barriers and not understanding the ‘american way’ so they stay in their abusive situations (Which aren’t a result of religion but of an abusive man because the women consist of arab Christian, arab jewish, arab drude, and arab muslim women). So while everyone is discussing which side is right and wrong we have middle eastern women of all religions bearing huge burdens. and that is what I work for, I work to make sure the issues being discussed turn into initiatives that play out in the real world. As for middle Eastern initiatives whithin the middle east , that is a very tough issue because of the unstability of the region. One cannot build womens shelters in the middle east when their are no qualified women to run them, because they cannot get to University because they cannot make enough money to pay for education because the economy is foul. So the few women that are abused in the middle east remain within their conditions because there isn’t anywhere for them to go. It has nothing to do with religion. Its the opposite of that. What man would beat his beloved wife because thats what his religion tells him to do? That is pure ludicrous. People cannot even uphold the ten commandments why will they uphold that?. And What religion would do that to begin with?. The major religions of the world call for equality and dignity not evil and Islam deffinitly calls for goodness.
In my opinion discussing religion is plain useless, unless one is addressing someone of ‘real’ knowledge like a clergyman, minister, pastor or imam. In other words somone who knows the subject like the back of their hand. We instead should be finding ways to help the women of the world; And not just the women in the middle east but the women within the United States and else where as well. The women in the middle east have no choice because of all the wars and poor economy. But what about Asia, Africa, Europe, Southern and North America? Women are constantly abused everywhere and especially whithin the United States. A women is raped every 9 seconds here. Why is that? Because of Christianity? NO!!! So why then. Because everyone everywhere is lacking the teachings of their religion, the morals and ethics that no one understands. It is a sad issue that we must discuss womens rights especiall when religion something we all claim to follow has the directions to live a life of dignity.
In reply to scifialiens: Unless you are an atheist/anarchist, there must be a law in which people follow other wise there is chaos. Islam like Christianity, Judiasm, Hinduism and Buddhism is a religion which preaches the basic concepts of faith in higher court and being good. Non of these religions support anything which would be hurtful to others. As we see religious leaders always get together and discuss their points and end up agreeing. It is only us, the followers that disagree. Why is this, pure ignorance of ourselves and the others around us for it is the first step in debate that one must assess their own point and then their opositions, then go on to debate. I am not debating anything in my replies, only trying to show the glory of God through a Islam which is being attacked; But if Judiasm were being attacked, I would also have something to say. Khalil Gibran, a lebanese/american poet wrote once that all religions are like taking a different finger of god but in the end we all end up in his palm. It is useless for the common people to debate what is right and wrong, That is the job of those in charge, because in the end we get no where but we as individuals should do our best to improve ourselves and help those around us as well.
Link to issues concerning womens abuse in Afghanistan:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/2582051.stm
Link to womens abuse issues in Uk:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/6175058.stm
Link to abuse of women in Abu Ghraib:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2004/may/12/iraq.usa
Link to article discussing relations:
http://www.isna.net/articles/News/ISLAM-AND-THE-WEST-KEEP-YOUR-YARDSTICK-TO-YOURSELF.aspx
Link to page over rape: (Sad enough that we must address these issues in a society which is supposed to be educated. Would it be becase this is a Christian nation. NO!!! but because it is a nation lacking the morals and ethics of their religion!!!!)
http://www.pcar.org/
reply to John:
That is ridiculous. Those women shouldn’t be doctors if they dont want to raise their sleeves up. Its not like the man they are opperating on or the nurse is going fall love struck with them in the middle of an operation. Thats just plain numb-brained from them. If they wanted to be doctors then they should realise all the qualifications of being a doctor and abide by them. I mean the shariah states that a women shouldn’t stay alone in a room with a man, so what will they require that they have a personal female nurse to accompany them at all times. LOL!! But the Shariah also states that a women may do whatever is necessary to her carreer, so it modifies the above rule. It really makes me ill when I hear stories of Muslims acting so foolishly especially when the shariah states very specifically that according to situation do what is needed and NOT to make yourself an obstacle to society.
I forgot to mention. I am a woman.
To Melo:.
I’ll just clarify. Sharia states that forced marriage is a crime. The marriage is not lawful and not the contract is not valid. The man and father of the women if found will be tried of rape. (now do arranged marriages happen, yes, but it isn’t a question of religion but of uneducated individuals)
On the issue of women having half a right of men. That concerns being witness to contracts. Some women experience terrible periods in which they hulicinate, forget etc. So their must be two women present, just incase, for the sake of the contract. Other than that women aren’t held from anything.
On the issue of no autonomy. Sharia states women may do whatever they please as long as it is lawful (according to ten commandments and simple definition of Good) and good.
On the issue of beating the wife. Do you dicipline your children? I could say your a child abuser but i realize that you are the mother and its your job to guide them. Now I refer to the saying from the Bible, the childs head is to the mother and hers is to her husband and the husbands is to GOD. Well in Islam, we believe in the same thing. The beating is a SYMBOLIC one adn is ONLY a very LAST RESORT. The idea is that if the wife isn’t taking care of her duties the way she should then the husband reminds her. First verbally letting her know. He should verybally remind until she gets herself on track or he should move to step two which is not sharing the bed. If she still doesn’t get the message after a week or two then he may TAP her hand with a toothbrush without leaving any mark. Physical abuse in Sharia is completely forbidden. leaving a red mark is a sin on anyone. Its not allowed to hit an animal, slave, prisoner, child, friend, foe or wife. If a man says I am beating my wife from the religion then he is mistaken because on the day of judgement God will have a nice burning hot place for him to spend eternity. Men in the United States do not beat their wifes or girlfriends based on religion and if they do they are considered insane. The same is in regard to the middle East. According to Sharia Beating is strickly forbidden to any living being or creature.
Hi Janan, thanks for coming back!
I have been told that modern interpretations of the Qur’an by Islamic scholars and imams is what should examined, not a literal reading.
Have you seen these:
Uno
Dos
Tres
Quattro
It’s not like the misogyny and violence inherent in Islam is a secret.
Janan,
I’m sorry. I probably shouldn’t be laughing my ass off, but I just can’t seem to help myself. Okay. Maybe I’m not all that sincere in my apology.
…can I just say WTF? Or perhaps, I shouldn’t… how am I to know if I’m not hallucinating right now?
…umm, no. They’re considered criminal.
… oh, yeah. The beating is symbolic, alright. It clearly symbolizes that she is property at his disposal and mercy.
One question, why is this trite, pathetic excuse always trotted out when someone criticizes behavior practiced by large numbers of Muslims:
… really? THAT many of your peers are uneducated in the ways of Islam?
I cannot believe you have the audacity to mention Khalil Gibran. Although he was Lebanese, Muslim, he most certainly was not. Perhaps, you should read Spirit Brides. And if you have read it already, then you need to read it again, because you missed the point.
I am very happy for you that you have enjoyed your twenty years as a convert in the West. However as one professional woman to another, I have to tell you that your grammar and spelling are atrocious. Of course, maybe you just need another woman with you when you comment. I’m not sure you aren’t hallucinating.
It occurs to me that I have been remiss in responding to Janan’s very first comment. I do not know how I possibly could have let you get away with implying that law, ANY law is capable of bestowing dignity on a human being. The very best for which we can hope from any law is that it will respect and preserve the dignity that already belongs to us.
Were there any imams during the time of Muhammad? Does that mean that nobody was qualified to discuss religion? Your soul is your most prized possession, your most treasured attribute. Do not blindly hand it over to someone else just because they have a piece of paper on their wall. Partake of their wisdom, yes, but continue to think for yourself. You follow the teachings of Muhammad, not of Mullah Folani.
In my experience it’s usually the opposite.
Unfortunately, that is definitely a minority viewpoint. To the best of my knowledge, the only religions that explicitly ascribe to it are Ramakrishnan Hinduism and the Bahá’í Faith. Outside of those two, it’s usually more of a “woe unto ye unbelievers” sort of situation.
Tell me about it. Unfortunately, though, they are legion, and I mean that in more ways than one.
Please tell me you’re joking. The reason women have less legal status in the Qur’án is that societies can’t go directly from the seventh century to the 21st. Muhammad increased the rights of women as much as possible, and laid the groundwork for future expansion of rights. If He had simply said “Women and men are equal. Period,” He would’ve been laughed out of the Arabian Peninsula. There’s no need to concoct fantastical medical conditions to explain it.
Which is sure to act as a major deterrent. To the best of my knowledge, the word “toothbrush” does not occur a single time in the Qur’án. The meaning of the verse in question is a matter of some debate. Some say that the verb in question means “to strike,” this is easily refuted by the various Hadith saying that Muhammad never struck His wives (who were not exactly models of good behavior). One recent translation is that it means to leave the wife alone/give her the silent treatment. Ahmed Ali has a third suggestion, which I unfortunately do not remember at the moment.
That’s what happens when you surrender your spiritual well-being to a group of people heavily invested in maintaining the status quo.
She wasn’t claiming that he was.
Welcome to the internet. You should see some of the affronts to the English language some of the trolls over at News Hounds commit.
Yeah, welcome to the internet.
Gee. Thanks, Mr. P, glad to be here.
FROM MSN
updated 2:21 p.m. CT, Thurs., March. 13, 2008
BEIJING – China lashed out Thursday at a U.S. report critical of its human rights record, accusing Washington of causing the modern world’s “biggest human rights tragedy” in Iraq and of hypocrisy for passing judgment on other nations.
China’s State Council, or cabinet, said the U.S. record on human rights was “tattered and shocking” and criticized America for its violent crimes, large prison population and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“The invasion of Iraq by U.S. troops has produced the biggest human rights tragedy and the greatest humanitarian disaster in the modern world,” the council said in its report.
Story continues below ↓
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“It is high time for the U.S. government to face its own human rights problems with courage … and give up the unwise practices of applying double standards on human rights issues and using it to suppress other countries.”
U.S. report accused China
The State Department took China to task this week for widespread human rights violations in an annual report that details increased attempts by authorities to control and censor the Internet and tighten restrictions on freedom of speech and the domestic press.
It noted that “China’s overall human rights record remains poor.”
The counter-accusations come five months before Beijing hosts the Olympics Games, which have already put the spotlight on the country’s human rights record. China is preparing to increasingly defend itself against accusations on everything from its restrictions on religion, its oil purchases from Sudan, and its control of Tibet.
The U.S. report gave a chilling account of alleged torture in China, including the use of electric shocks, beatings, and shackles. It also details claims by citizens forced from their homes to make way for Olympic projects in Beijing.
China has voiced strong opposition to the State Department’s annual rights reports, and says it respects and safeguards human rights.
“We resolutely oppose the U.S. issuing such a human rights report every year, and pointing fingers at other countries’ human rights. It never reflects on its own human rights, so it cannot justify itself,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said at a news briefing.
‘Open to constructive criticism’
U.S. Embassy spokeswoman Susan Stevenson replied that the U.S. is “open to constructive criticism of its record.”
“Issues countries have raised regarding the United States’ actions are mirrored in the active debate of our government, free press, NGOs (non-governmental organizations) and civil society. They’re a testimony to our commitment to a free, open democratic society,” she said.
“The United States looks forward to the day when the Chinese press, NGOs and civil society are allowed to operate freely and to voice open criticism of China’s practices.”
In Washington, State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said the U.S. stands by its report.
“Our assessment isn’t one that is out of the mainstream of international opinion concerning the human rights condition in China,” he said.
China cites FBI crime statistics
Beijing’s report cites FBI crime statistics released last fall showing that violent crime had increased by 1.9 percent from 2005 to 2006, with 1.41 million cases reported nationwide. Multiple cases are listed, including the April 2007 shooting rampage at Virginia Tech University, which left 33 dead and more than 30 injured.
The Chinese report cites news articles saying that 30,000 people die in the U.S. from gunshots every year and gun killings have climbed 13 percent since 2002.
It notes the U.S. has the largest prison system in the world, with the highest inmates-to-population ratio and points to police brutality and other instances where law enforcement officials violated civil rights.
It also says that workers’ rights to unionize have been restricted in the United States, with union membership dropping in 2006. It refers to a Human Right Watch report that Wal-Mart stores fought unionization drives by eavesdropping on employee conversations, using camera surveillance and firing workers who favored unions
In reply to Melo and the beating issue:
Well if you spank your children or repremend them in any way then I suppose your a child abuser and you consider your children as your property
This child abuser isn’t exactly sure what beating, reprimanding, or owning my nonexistent children has to do with the treatment of women under Sharia. Then again, I’m also not sure what China has to do with the treatment of women under Sharia.
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