Expat women struggle for rights granted by religion - Arab News

JEDDAH: Many expatriate women in the Kingdom suffer in their quest to deal with Khula (the Islamic right of a woman to divorce or separate from her husband under certain circumstances), child custody and other marital affairs.

Indian, Pakistani and Filipino women are afraid to speak about their suffering marriages in public due to the social stigma related to divorce. They feel they lack credibility in comparison to men.

Mahira Tahir, a 38-year-old Indian living in Jeddah, told Arab News, “My first fear is that I will not be believed. Our culture and society rooted have a way of disregarding women suffering, and most men get away with all their wrongdoing.”

According to her, most women who have problems at home and apply for Khula do not get their rights. “Men usually do not allow a separation, and there is no consequence for them. If I were Saudi, I feel I could have obtained my rights more easily, and honestly, I do not want to go to the embassy to defame my family. Why isn't there an easier way for expat women to escape this turmoil?”

Sultan Hisham, a 39-year-old Saudi married to an expat says he feels pity for men who do not give women their right to divorce.

“Women might be known to be hasty, but so are men,” says Iman Khalid, an Indian executive living in Jeddah. “Yes, I believe we should be given a period to reconcile, but what after that? What if I can't stand the man at all? Islam has given me the right to move out.”

Iman thinks that no man should interfere with God's law.

In the Holy Qur'an, Allah says, “So when they have reached their prescribed time retain them with kindness or separate them with kindness, and call to witness two just ones from among you.” (65:2)

Iman thinks that society should look at the injunction the way it is. “Allah uses the word ‘kindness,’ but in our culture, divorce is looked upon with respite, as if it were evil and unforgivable.”

The Indian expatriate wonders, “If it is OK in the eyes of the Almighty, then who are we to judge?”

Hamdan Khalid, a 33-year-old Saudi engineer, believes no woman should be kept within the confines of a house when the couple are not compatible. Instead, he thinks women should contact their embassies and get an official decision endorsed. “If at all it is not possible, it is allowed in Islam and you should keep trying in courts. Even though it might take a lot more time, do not give up on your struggle to what is your fundamental religious right.”

Islam preaches peace and supports women through laws prescribed to them in the Qur’an and Sunnah. “My religion gives women their rights, but the system and people work against it, abusing the meaning of the holy text,” says Shaista Iqbal, a 49-year-old Pakistani doctor in Jeddah. She feels men in power and those preaching have to hold the noblest character. “But in India and Pakistan, women have lost trust in masked preachers who issue fatwas (religious laws or decrees) for their own convenience.”

According to the Qur’an, there is no supremacy for men or women in the spiritual sense. “Contrary to popular belief, women are liberated in Islam. It is just that women should learn more about their rights and fight for them,” says Lubna Fahim, a 46-year-old Indian woman who married a Saudi living in Jeddah. She thinks women should not be dictated rules that may not be true, but believe in what Allah says, for it is the only truthful way.

My Take: This just in the Tennessee Court says that Islam is a religion - CNN (blog)

Editor's note: Stephen Prothero, Boston University researcher religion and author of "God is not a: eight Rival Religions that run the world," is a regular contributor to CNN belief Blog.

By Stephen prothero, special to CNN

A few months ago I spoke at a forum interfaith at the University of North Alabama. One of the speakers on my Panel was Osama Bahloul, imam of the Islamic Centre in Murfreesboro.

Bahloul began his speech by observing that God must have a sense of humor for giving him a problematic name like Osama. But the heart of her talk concerned the compatibility of Islam with American values.

What has surprised me on Bahloul, in our private conversations and his public speech was his deep and lasting faith in America. Signs on the site for its planned mosque was vandalized two times and federal investigators have determined that a fire on the site has been intentionally. Efforts to build this mosque, appropriate for a growing congregation who had been active in the field for nearly two decades, was achieved not only with events, but with legal action also.

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Bahloul yet continued to believe that what was right would prevail in the end.

In the pursuit, Mosque opponents argued, among other things, that Islam is not a religion and had therefore not entitled to the free exercise special zoning treatment and protections given to religious organizations. But last week, a court in Murfreesboro ruled during the Islamic Centre.

In his decision, Judge Robert Corlew announced "that Islam is a religion". The fact that a Court of justice of the United States would in fact have such a conclusion is a sad comment on where we are today with United States religious literacy.

Imam Tennessee: my mosque was burned down.

Islam is not only a religion. It is the second largest religion in the world, with more than a billion adherents. And, as shown in the case of Murfreesboro, some of these Muslims are our neighbours.

There is still a legal issue that is uncertain in this case - a technical issue as to whether a screening procedure for the construction of the mosque had followed the rules of an order of premises of open meetings. But, as the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro noted on his web page yesterday, the permit to build is now in hand.

And, at least for the moment, the first amendment is still the law of the land in Tennessee.

The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Stephen Prothero.

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Islam is a religion of peace not terrorism: Zardari - Associated Press of Pakistan

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UN-backed Asia-Pacific forum stresses social protection for poverty reduction - UNITED NATIONS, May 23 (APP): Basic social protection for all segments of the population is key to protecting people from extreme poverty and economic exclusion, according to views expressed Monday by government representatives from the Asia-Pacific region attending a UN forum in Thailand.Developing countries can afford to provide universal basic social protection, the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) says in an assessment, which formed the basis for discussions at the ESCAP Commission Session for Asia-Pacific governments being held in Bangkok.According to the ESCAP study, entitled “The  Promise of Protection,” a universal basic social protection package costs no more than 3 per cent of gross national income (GNI) and is affordable at virtually any stage of economic development.

NUPSA condemns attack on military base in Karachi, praises efforts of security forces - LONDON, May 23 (APP)- The UK-based National Union of Pakistani Students and Alumni (NUPSA) Monday strongly condemned the attack on Naval air base in Karachi and praised the sacrfices rendered by the security forces in dealing with the situation.Calling for national unity at this juncture, NUPSA said this menace require united efforts by every member of the society to effectively surmount the challenge pose by the terrorists to national security and the people of Pakistan.“NUPSA is deeply saddened by this event and cannot begin to express the level of pain they feel along with all the Pakistanis at home and abroad. We commend the security forces for fighting these militants and giving up their lives in the confrontation,” spokesperson Sundas Malik said.

No Chinese citizens taken hostage at air base in Pakistan: Spokesperson FM - BEIJING, May 23 (APP)  - No Chinese nationals were taken hostage in a terrorist attack on an Mehran Navy Base in Pakistan’s southern port city of Karachi late Sunday night, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu confirmed in a press release here on Monday. Jiang said, as a friendly neighbor of Pakistan, China supports the efforts of Pakistani government and people in maintaining the country’s social stability.

PTI UK stage protest outside US Embassy in London against drone attacks - LONDON, May 23 (APP):The UK chapter of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) organized largely participated protest outside the American Embassy in Central London at the weekend against the drone attacks in Pakistan. The presence of hundreds of people including women and children from all across the UK conveyed the deep feelings of the Pakistani community in Britain against the US drone attacks.

Pakistan?s flags flew high at Tiananmen Square during PM?s visit - BEIJING, MAY 23 (APP): During Prime Minister, Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani’s recent visit to China, Pakistani flags were flying high on the Tiananmen Square, which show the sentiments the Chinese people and government have towards our nation and the importance they attach to their relations with Pakistan, said Pakistan’s Ambassador to China, Masood Khan. Tiananmen Square is the world’s largest city square with a total area of 440,000.
ISLAMABAD, May 22 (APP) - Aaj Peshawar beat APP by 39 runs on Sunday in the TCKP Media Cricket League and Festival dedicated to Swat Valley played here at F-9 Park. APP won the toss and invited Aaj news to bat first, Aaj scored 84 runs in the allotted six overs with the loss of 3 wickets. Rashid (26), Hassan (22) were higher scorers.  In reply APP failed to reach the target and was restricted to 45 runs with the loss of four wickets in six overs.   ISLAMABAD, May 21 (APP):Hassan Sadpara, a Pakistani mountaineer who recently conquered the Mount Everst, has asked the government to help young mountaineers for better results in future.He said that he wished to climb 14 mountain summits to include his name in the Guinness Book of World Record.Talking to PTV, he said that the task of climbing the world top mountain peaks could be accomplished with the assistance and support of the government.Sadpara, who successfully climbed the world’s highest 8,850 meter summit, thanked President Asif Ali Zardari for supporting and accepting his demand in 2009.  
  LAHORE, May 21 (APP)- Pakistan Hockey Federation has invited two more players to attend the training camp of national senior probables from May 30 at Naseer Bunda Hockey Stadium Islamabad to prepare for different assignments in Europe in June and July.“ On the recommendations of national selection committee and the team management, the PHF has included the names of two more players Mazhar Abbas (Goalkeeper) and Bilal Qadir (Forward) in the list of camp trainees”,said a spokesman of PHF here on Saturday.

  LAHORE, May 21 (APP)- Fourth seed, Yasir Butt won the FMC International squash Pakistan Circuit II ,snuffing a weak challenge from wild card holder Mohammad Shahnawaz in straight sets 11-9,11-8,11-3 in thef final here on  Saturday at PSA complex.Shahnawaz who caused sensation by toppling top seed Farhan Mehboob in the semi finals, failed to rise to the occasion and disappointed a large gathering with his sluggish play and poor finish in a match lasted just 34 minutes.

  LAHORE, May 21 (APP)- Former world squash champion, Jansher Khan gave glimpses of his glittering past by playing two back to back exhibition matches here on Saturday at PSA complex.Jansher, who ruled the squash world for over a decade by winning all the major titles at stake was in good physical shape and demonstrated his usual punch and sting in his attacking game.In the first match he beat Sheraz Saleem, a member of Punjab Squash Association’s executive committee who is a regular player and then played against Punjab’s promising player Ali Bokhari.

 April, 2011 March, 2011 February, 2011 January, 2011 December, 2010 November, 2010 October, 2010 September, 2010 August, 2010 July, 2010 LONDON, May 22 (APP)- President Asif Ali Zardari has said that Islam is a religion of peace and tranquillity and totally opposed to friction and terrorism. President Zardari, in his message to the International Imam Council, organisers of Syeda Fatima (S.A.) Interfaith Conference at the House of Lords here last evening, noted that such conferences highlight the real image of Islam being a peaceful religion and clear the confusion that Islam, in any way, favours terrorism. The President said: “It gives me immense pleasure that Imam Hussain Council arranged an Interfaith Conference in recognition of Hazrat Fatima Tu-Zahra ( S.A.) , the daughter of our Holy Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) is a distinguished personality of the Muslim world.
“She is a shining moral example for all the women across the globe. Her life, her teachings, her mannerisms and even her authority over her father, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) is a precedent for us to follow even today.”
The President congratulated the International Imam Hussain Council for bringing all religions and sects together on one platform and becoming a significant instrument of harmony, love, tranquillity and brotherhood amongst all people.
The International Imam Hussain Council arranged the innovative seminar at the  senior chamber of the British Parliament, to encourage interfaith dialogue for the enhancement of mutual understanding and sectarian harmony.
The seminar was attended by a number of parliamentarians, interfaith leaders and people from different walks of life.
Rich tributes were paid to women from Abrahamic traditions such as Lady Mary from Christianity and Bithia from Jewish traditions. In celebrating the lives of these glorious women they also focussed on important topics of forced marriages, importance of female education and women with rights.
Originally founded in Pakistan , the International Imam Hussain Council strives to promote unity through creating innovative platforms for heads of state, scholars and members of the public to come together and find creative solutions to the complex problems and threats facing our world. The diverse audience was made up of attendees from all of the major Ibrahamic faiths, as well as representation from Hindu and Seek communities.
The main speaker, Lord Alderdice, Chair of Liberal Democrats, said that women in following the footsteps of Hazrat Fatima (S.A.)  can build bridges not only between the Abrahamic religions but also between communities with no particular belief systems. He said there is a tremendous power to motherhood, children and family which perhaps gets lost in more complex cultures.
Lord Nazir Ahmed  said Syedna Fatima is a role model for women and a symbol of unity for the Muslims. He said he raised the issue of mosques which have been demolished in Bahrain and will call on the Bahraini Government to stop destroying places of worship.
Rubab Mehdi Rizvi, Chairperson of International Imam Hussain Council, in her welcome address  said the  gender based nepotism in history means that achievements from females are conveniently forgotten.
“It is imperative in our struggle for gender parity that such personalities are given their rightful place theologically and socially as they are an authentic source of law and ethics.”
She said role of woman in society today has reached the level of stagnation. Hazrat Fatima (S.A.) is a name capable of waking women into dawn away from the painful burdens of some man-made shackles. She sacrificed all she had for justice and was a sister to the poor.
Bishop Nick Holtam of Salisbury shared a story of two extraordinary women who visited St Martin’s from Israel Palestine. He said both these women had lost their sons but following the footsteps of Lady Mary, Miriam and Syeda Fatima (peace be upon them) embarked on a joint reconciliation women while the conflict is still alive. He says these are mothers such as these who can promote the cessation of acts of hostility and the achievement of a political agreement.
Senior Rabbi Mark Winer said, “Although I am not a Muslim, I am a dedicated student of the Quran, the Hadith, and the entirety of Islam.  Although I am a Rabbi and dedicated to teaching Torah, I am also an Islamophile, a lover of Islam and Muslims.”
Julian Bond of the Christian Muslim Forum said: “Reflecting on Fatima and Mary, they both had important messages, they challenged men’s words, actions and outlooks and had close family relationships with our founders - the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and Jesus Christ”.
The conference was chaired by Yousaf Al Khoei, Director of Al-Khoei Foundation.   Chinese Prime Minister Visit to Pakistan Presidential address to the joint sitting of parliament Official Results Election 2008

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