Let’s not kid around. Women do get a tough time on this planet that we call earth. One might think, how hard would it be to be a female wooden/fibreglass doll? Well think twice… it isn’t a rosy path either. Say for example, in Iran, now mannequins are being forced by the authorities to wear hijab.
There’s this growing tendency in the Muslim world to categorise everything in just two mutually exclusive categories: ‘Islamic’ or ‘Un-Islamic’. It is the latest good/evil, yin/yang, light/dark in the current Islamic zeitgeist. Just a while back in Pakistan some so called top Islamic clerics issued a decree stating theft of electricity a sin; funny that there was felt a need to issue such decree where common law and above all common sense sufficiently covers. Nowadays, every debate tends to float around this very branding with every sect, denomination or authority coming up with their ‘highly investigated’ arguments (of course within their self imposed constraint of Quranic injunctions). The ever-growing shroud of this utterly myopic and vacuous branding is like a voracious monster that doesn’t know where to stop.
Keeping true to this latest vogue, now in Iran (if not in some other countries), mannequins without hijab over the head are branded as ‘Un-Islamic’ by the authorities. Ironically, mannequins without a head are spared, even though they are still not allowed to show their bodily female curves (how uncannily similar to what is often expected from the human females).
I wonder why? Were those inanimate mannequins donning those artificial locks and curls giving the males in the Islamic regime some hormone infused bubble-dance (I didn’t mention females as Ahmadinejad claims that there are no homosexuals in Iran :p, while the truth lies somewhere here)? Or, have they taken the tacky 1987 Kim Cattrall movie ‘Mannequin’ (where Kim is a mannequin that comes alive) too seriously and are afraid that hundreds of cheesily dancing Kim Cattralls would be too much handle in the cities that forbid any affiliation with sex? Apologies for my lame attempt of a pun at ‘Sex and the City’. However, Let’s take a glimpse:
If this video is what prompted their decision, I wouldn’t hold it against them.
#1 by Vinegar on October 6, 2009 - 5:11 am
I’m not at all sure any nation needs even one Kim Cattral. But then again even she might be less harmful than one Ahmadinejad.
#2 by Pepper on October 8, 2009 - 4:31 pm
Dude, this movie brings back memories.
I remember actually ‘liking’ this movie when I was a teenager.
You have just ruined this for me. Toopack toopack!
I dont think I can ever talk about it with a straight face. EVER.
#3 by Mohammed Amin on October 20, 2009 - 12:26 pm
There’s this growing tendency in the Muslim world to categorise everything in just two mutually exclusive categories: ‘Islamic’ or ‘Un-Islamic’. It is the latest good/evil, yin/yang, light/dark in the current Islamic zeitgeist. Just a while back in Pakistan some so called top Islamic clerics issued a decree stating theft of electricity a sin; funny that there was felt a need to issue such decree where common law and above all common sense sufficiently covers.
No the point that you miss is that for a Muslim – being a Muslim is life. There isn’t anything thing “secular”. A mainly western concept.
You fail to comprehend what it means to be a Muslim. So rather then first learning and trying to understand, you typify “those people” into you minute little concep7ts. And it never occurs to you that Muslim can strongly and passionately believe in the Quran maybe even more so – and actaully do then what believe in
Is it not better to first grasp what a person or a very large group of ppl are saying. Learn their reasoning then explain why you think its wrong.
I would have though that to be the rational choice? I thought what you are saying is that it is generally religious ppl that are bigots – signs of it from you? Have you not ever wonder why someone came to the reasoning that they did?
Oh – and don’t even think about saying why bother with such no-brainer. That would be er … bigotry.
There’s this growing tendency in the Muslim world to categorise everything in just two mutually exclusive categories: ‘Islamic’ or ‘Un-Islamic’.
What do you mean growing. No, Its always been there.
Shall I simplify it for you… What you fail to get it that how ppl can reject totally your reasoning and follow their own. Don’t worry nearly all Muslims wonder how can some-one reject Islam at all. The correct way of life.
Most human beings are non-Atheists and mostly believe in a God.
#4 by Rugrat on October 20, 2009 - 2:38 pm
No, I do precisely comprehend what it means for a Muslim to be a Muslim. There is no grey area in the belief system of Islam. Only that I strongly disagree with such self-righteous worldview (and that would apply to followers of any religion, not only Islam).
So, as I get it, your main objection here is of my using the term ‘growing tendency’. Would it help if I’ve mentioned something like “more and more people in the Muslim world becoming ‘truer’ Muslims everyday” as to you and all the Muslims, Islam is the only way of life? Irrespective of the definition of a Muslim, what I’ve tried to say there is from a statistical point of view: The ‘Islamic/Un-Islamic’ branding is more prominent than ever. You may call it more and more people becoming ‘truer’ Muslims.
“Is it not better to first grasp what a person or a very large group of ppl are saying. Learn their reasoning then explain why you think its wrong.”
Of course it is better and that’s what I (and many others) have been trying to do in various forums. Whereas Islam (or any other religion so to speak) teaches you to do just the opposite. First step is that you believe in whatever is written in Quran, then you try to rationalise it (most don’t even care to do that). Quran is a book of injunctions. Muslims just bring out their own exegesis (which also varies between denominations) out of it and follow. In your eyes, Quran can never be wrong and then you call to debate on it? You have already reached the conclusion. That is not how reasoning takes place, that is how only a belief system works.
I have no problem into incorporating a Quranic (or any other religious) injunction in my life if it has the merit. But religions ask you take it on its face value declaring itself of a ‘divine origin’. Reasoning is rather futile after that. There are many things in Quran I’d agree with, but at the same time many, i’d disagree with. Can you disagree with Quran being a Muslim? How can you, cause you’ve already reached the conclusion on the basis of your faith not reasoning, as long as you are quoting from Quran, you can never be wrong, isn’t it? All that is left after that is preaching… My life isn’t that easy mate, as I can be wrong..
By the way, God and religion isn’t the same thing. There are many believers out there whose gods don’t interfere with others, meanwhile organised religions always do.
#5 by Mohammed Amin on October 21, 2009 - 11:16 am
So, as I get it, your main objection here is of my using the term ‘growing tendency’. Would it help if I’ve mentioned something like “more and more people in the Muslim world becoming ‘truer’ Muslims everyday” as to you and all the Muslims, Islam is the only way of life? Irrespective of the definition of a Muslim, what I’ve tried to say there is from a statistical point of view: The ‘Islamic/Un-Islamic’ branding is more prominent than ever. You may call it more and more people becoming ‘truer’ Muslims.
You have lost me on both counts – top and below. I ont think you understood what I said.
I have no problem into incorporating a Quranic (or any other religious) injunction in my life if it has the merit. But religions ask you take it on its face value declaring itself of a ‘divine origin’. Reasoning is rather futile after that. There are many things in Quran I’d agree with, but at the same time many, i’d disagree with. Can you disagree with Quran being a Muslim? How can you, cause you’ve already reached the conclusion on the basis of your faith not reasoning, as long as you are quoting from Quran, you can never be wrong, isn’t it? All that is left after that is preaching… My life isn’t that easy mate, as I can be wrong.
#6 by Rugrat on October 21, 2009 - 12:27 pm
Why always I am the one who has failed to understand?