Comments on: Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda: Islam as Rehab for Women

By: henna

henna — Wed, 05 May 2010 05:53:42 +0000

I understand that point of contention is “Islam is religion, respect as religion not as Rehab” But Islam does have some strict rules and if those things are taken out then Islam is not that much different from any another eastern religion. And these rules make Islam special for some or suffocating for some. Like when I browse videos realted to Islam on You tube they will show how “tight/short/any little skin show” provokes men,so embrace Islam. Then there are videos which show how as teenager if you embrace Islam you ahve special friends who will neither booze, nor take drugs nor be dress consious. these are qualities which children should either imbibe themselves or through parents or through society. since society fails to do so , islam comes to rescue and for some that would be like rehab.

If Islam is to be promoted as spritual journey to God then these videos are far from that, but will take you towards that(except Hijab since I do not comply to that and have various reasons to not comply)as you leave attachment towards 2 minutes wonder feelings and try to strive for eternal peace.

This message looks so similar to Buddhism or Hinduism and there I find all religions talking same thing if the rules are taken out.

If we have rules then ofcourse we will have people who can call religion by some other name depending upon their opinion and personal experience.

By: Amber

Amber — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 05:24:58 +0000

Agreed to Deaf Indian Muslim Anarchist, “that Muslim women ain’t saints and are just human as everyone else.” really really true!

They are just the same to us christians, and how come “ISLAM” as rehab for women? geez! crazy idea!

By: someone

someone — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 02:31:50 +0000

i love Islam but feminist topics have a root n cause turning
a blind eye or bring cruel n insensitive towards them might
not change our religion but will make women indifferent .
as much as the theory of rights of women r concerned they r
fantastic but look around you we r mistreated n held back
every where. neutral topic education Islam says women should
have it our schools r being burned by Islamic extremist a
few educated have only education in deen. others defend this
action by turning a blind eye. where is Islam permition to
marry by choice or do a job decently.
we have collectively killed Islam in our daily lives in the
name of Islam. where is justice fairness respect n
compassion for woman. has our Prophet PBUH ever said
woman has a half brain as so frequently said by man.
i know this will be dismissed as offensive but may
be if we r fair respectful to Muslim woman our general
image will change too otherwise Allah help us we as
Muslims r being treated as we treated our own suppressed
with no rights n no voice.

By: Ellen Keim

Ellen Keim — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 10:15:14 +0000

To be fair, sometimes Islam IS portrayed, if not as a kind of rehab, as a morally superior lifestyle which saves its adherents (usually converts) from a life of drugs, alcohol and promiscuity. I heard a mother say that, although she’s uncomfortable with her daughter’s choice of Islam, she feels relieved that her daughter is now “calmed down” and living right. I’ve also read of converts saying that Islam has “saved” them from immoral living and given them security, protection and direction. Not that these are misguided viewpoints exactly, but they do point to a popular view that Islam–like many religions–rescues its converts (in particular) from lives of dissolution.

I don’t disagree that Amis’ remarks are suspect because of his general dislike of Islam. But I can see where he is coming from. I wish more “religious” people would see their religion as a way of becoming closer to God rather than primarily as something that keeps them from making any mistakes in life. The relationship with God should come first; the moral behavior comes as a response and outgrowth of that. That’s what I object to about Amis’ statement: he totally ignores the spiritual benefit of becoming a Muslim (or an adherent of any religion).

By: Yakoub

Yakoub — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 06:25:29 +0000

Amis’ puff piece about Iran for Guardian G2 was HILARIOUS. Unintentionally, that is.

By: M. Lynx Qualey

M. Lynx Qualey — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 05:14:06 +0000

I had thought Dubai was jealous of the popularity of the Abu Dhabi book festival, so invited Martin Amis to make some controversial comments. (The National had reported that festival organizers were expecting “fireworks.”)

Unfortunately, this statement of Amis’s is not as prime-time as his “kill all old people” or “Muslims are terrorists”—no real “fireworks.” Although this one does highlight, uh, interesting conceptions of women and Islam, as Alicia points out. And worth talking about not because they emanate from Amis, but because of what they reveal about popular opinions of women and of Islam.

By: candice

candice — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 16:00:53 +0000

It’s *almost* funny except for the fact that he’s trying to talk seriously.

By: Deaf Indian Muslim Anarchist

Deaf Indian Muslim Anarchist — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:36:58 +0000

haha, WTF. That was the weirdest article I’ve read all week.

but yeah, dude, this is sexist for all women and offensive for Muslims, especially for Muslim women.

sometimes I feel tempted to make a “HIJABIS GONE WILD” video just to shut up everyone and show them that Muslim women ain’t saints and are just human as everyone else.

By: Shan Shortcut

Shan Shortcut — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 09:31:30 +0000

I cant believe someone can be so ignorant about a religion. I mean, honestly, portraying Islam as a rehab?!

WHY is he even allowed to be published?

His poor sister, having a nasty brother like him.