Dear Editor,
I refer to Mr Vishnu Bisram’s letter captioned “The punishment of this teacher is a travesty of Islamic law” (07.12.05) and share his anger on the issue of the teacher Mrs Gibbon who was imprisoned in Sudan. Thank God she is out and safe.
Under law in Saudi Arabia, women are subject to numerous restrictions, including a strict dress code, a prohibition on driving and a requirement that they get a man’s permission to travel or have surgery. Women are also not allowed to testify in court unless it is about a private matter that was not observed by a man, and they are not allowed to vote.
But nothing here resembles the Islam practised by the majority of Muslims in the world, so obviously this is Saudi Law and not an Islamic Law.
Muslim women may travel, not don black gowns and veils, vote, be witnesses in courts and appeal for a divorce and well, even drive, and that too alone.
Islam has granted women many rights and privileges but biased, misogynist men are destroying human life and Islam with their personal judgements, as in the case of the lady who was sentenced to lashes after being raped, on the pretext that she was an accessory to sexual enticement by walking about alone.
It’s nice to hear that the higher judicial body is reconsidering these laws and it’s time, especially now we have seen Saudi Prince Abdullah leading some smart political, social and even economic moves recently, to correct some major evils and build bridges.
The fact is the husband of this rape victim rightly said that his wife was abducted from a mall and raped and she was not in any illicit relationship. Not because a woman walks without a mahram/approved relative is she evil. As a matter of fact, this requirement is only for long distance travel and too if it’s insecure, as can be seen how Hajj groups relax this law.
By the same token, I would beg that we continue to support our domestically abused at home and help them to rise above these cultural and social yokes that seem to travel relentlessly, despite the visas of enlightened ports.
Look how silly the issue in Sudan is, about a woman naming a teddy bear Muhammad, despite being defended by her students and herself claiming it was not her intention to demean our Holy Prophet, on whom be peace. So do we have any disenfranchisement warrant for those whose name is Muhammad but do not represent His life? How insulting to the Prophet, isn’t it?
Yours faithfully,
Habeeb Alli
