March in Times Square!

I'll write more about this later, but here are the details. The facebook event page is located here.

ONE YEAR AFTER THE MASSACRE
STAND IN SOLIDARITY WITH GAZA

Date:

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Time:

1:00pm - 4:00pm

Location:

42nd st & 7th Ave, Times Square

Assemble at 42nd st and 7th ave, Times Square
March to the Israeli mission.

-Stop starving the people of Gaza! Lift the blockade now!
-Free Palestinian Political Prisoners! Prosecute Israeli war criminals now!
-End all U.S. aid and trade with the racist state of Israel!
-Support the Palestinian people's Right to Return!


Endorsers:
American Muslims for Palestine, American-Iranian Friendship Committee,
Anakbayan, Arab Muslim American Foundation, CUNY Law School
Middle Eastern Law Student's Association, December 12th Movement,
FIST (Fight Imperialism Stand Together), International Action Center,
International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network, Jersey City Peace
Movement, Malcolm X Grassroots Movement, MAS Freedom Society,
NYC Labor Against the War, NYC Jericho Movement, Pakistan-USA
Freedom Forum, Turath: The Arab Students' Organization at Columbia
University, U.S. Palestine Community Network (NY Chapter)


Al-Awda NY: The Palestine Right to Return Coalition
info@al-awdany.org - call 718-228-8636

Sex and the Married Muslim

I thought I'd comment on another interesting article on Salon.com while procrastinating on my other finals work (one is for the same class! I am so weird)!

Anyway the article is titled Sex and the Married Muslim and can be found here. I actually wish I had found this sooner, back before life was throwing me several curve balls, because it would've been an interesting add-on to a couple on my anthropology papers. Basically, the article is about a television sex expert a la Sue Johanson, only Dr. Heba Kotb is an Egyptian woman who gives advice to married Muslims. And her argument? That sex is a gift from Allah to his followers and that it's in the Qur'an that [married] people are supposed to enjoy it. And while I don't know about the first part of that sentence, the second part is definitely true and something we learned the first or second day of our class.

Personally, I think it's great, even if her advice is obviously ethnocentric. The biggest exclamation points comes when she talks about homosexuality, but honestly homosexuality is so taboo in Islam that I think it isn't necessarily bad, what she is doing. Unlike Christian reform camps for gays, her perspective on conversion therapy seems to come mostly from a sexual perspective. I don't honestly believe what she does actually makes them straight, but I think it probably helps them to suppress their desires, which is better than the alternative where they get caught and imprisoned, harassed or worse. Still, I wish someone had asked her what her perspective is on gay animals when she said that she believed homosexuality is unnatural. That, to me, is the most obvious and most logical argument against homosexuality being a choice, since that would require that animals have the reasoning skills to make a choice.

Another exclamation point occurs when she talks about female desire not being "a call of nature". But again, she's obviously a product of her culture.

Edible Underwear!

If anyone out there is reading this- DON'T WORRY! My account hasn't been hacked and I haven't suddenly decided to change my blog into a porno. Instead (for class!) we read an article about edible underwear and other sexy lingerie in Syria. It was pretty interesting. Unfortunately, it said Jordanian woman prefer the plan old cotton version (I kid!). I thought it was actually pretty great at first, that Syrian woman could feel secure feeling sexy in a society we think of as unspeakably strict. Then the article mentioned that the main customers are mothers buying underwear for their daughters to bring to the marriage bed so that their husbands don't lost interest and get another wife and it made me really sad. I hope that there are woman who buy them for themselves in order to feel sexy, but it seems to me to be another case of women doing things in order to capture or hold men's interest, not because it's what they actually want (except, apparently, for Palestinian women). At least it's not playing to stereotype in one way: it's an article about Middle Eastern men who (at least in the bedroom) don't seem to want passive, respectful wives.

I wonder what it would be like to live in the middle east and be bombarded with images from the West, especially when it comes to marriage. I don't know if it's any better to be in a monogamous marriage, then a plural one necessarily. There would be jealousy, of course. But if you knew you were well and truly loved and you loved your sister-wives? I think maybe it could be beautiful. It would be tough (very, very tough) and very, very rare, but I think there might be examples. In one of her books our teacher talked about a plural marriage where the husband divorced one of his wives, but one of his sister-wives let her live with her family, because she considered her family just as much. Obviously that marriage didn't work out since the first woman and the husband divorced, but I think sometimes the women in the middle east must make it work, because otherwise it would've died out as an institution. I truly think if plural marriage was just always misery and then more misery then it would've stopped happening, because people need something to hope and to strive for.

Does that make sense or does it just sound hopelessly naive? I understand that they grow up thinking it's God's way for men to do what they want and I know a great deal of plural marriages must be hell. But a signifigant number of western marriages end up hellish too.

I don't know. I think I'm just in a strange mood brought on by a full moon and too many episodes of HBO's Big Love (I'll miss you cable television!). Forgive me for my foolish thoughts! Sleep well everyone else! And if anyone out there reads this and happens to be a student, I wish you much better luck than I got on your finals schedule; may whatever deities you deem worthy of belief bless you with good grades!

Happy Eid Al-Adha!

I constantly forget how many people I know who attended my old school that are Muslim, but then facebook reminds me! I bet the blogosphere in Iran is all abuzz! Too bad I don't speak Farsi.

To fellow Americans out there (but especially abroad! I know how you feel darlings!) Happy Thanksgiving!

Halfaouine: Boy of the Terraces

In class we've watched a very strange movie called Halfaouine. I think what struck me the most about the film was the obsession the main character (who is only 13!) has with sex. It excludes all else in his life and yes, he's 13, so he can't be incredibly mature or anything, but it really bothered me when the servant girl he played around with was sent away and all he can do is smile. Another interesting thing in the film was how the men may own the spaces women spend their time, but it was the women in the film who ultimately made the decisions that affected the household. The men may let the girl in, but it's the women who kick her out when her attractiveness becomes a liability. At one point the man of the house tries to kick out his wife's cousin because she wears and does what she wants, but as soon as it's discovered she can contribute to the house, he leaves it alone and she continues to do what she wants.

Now there's a Muslim Barbie!

Story here

Paradise Now!

For once, couldn't there be a happy Sayid??

Honor Kllings

I had a thought today. I was a little horrified to hear about another so-called "honor" killing. But then I was thinking and it occurred to me that most murders in the U.S. are committed by someone who knew the victim. Why is it so much more contraversial that people kill out of misguided religious beliefs when every day someone in the U.S. is killed by someone they love?

The Muslim Diaspora

I miss my old school when we have discussions like this; I knew girls there who wore veils and had arranged marriages, but I never did gain the courage to ask them how they felt about that. Islam is frequently cited to be the fastest growing religion in the world so it's really no wonder that there are Muslims everywhere. NPR had a story about an American girl who has not lived in Pakistan for 20 years, but who is reluctantly agreeing to let her parents find a husband for her there. I was surprised the article said that her veil scared potential husbands way, because they thought she would be too conservative for them. In Pakistan?? In any case, I can understand the girl's point of view. How do you keep the traditions of your culture, but also have the life you want, when you've lived in America for so many years? In some ways this debate is the opposite of the young adults in Iran who celebrate Valentine's Day. I don't know what the answer is.

Appearences

I dyed my hair again; this time it's Burgundy. I think I will dye it one more time- maybe that dark, dark blue that looks black- before returning it to its natural shade. I have time. There is a little more than two months before I travel to Jordan.

S.I.T. asked us to send in pictures of us with our friends where none of us show our arms, legs, shoulders or necklines. I had to get my friends to take new ones with me since we had no such pictures on hand. I think I freaked them out a little. The Jordanian teenager on trial now for allegedly trying to blow up a skyscraper in Dallas has everyone on edge but me. I figure it could've just as easily been an American on trial for the same thing. We forget that Americans have committed terrorist acts against our country too.

In class the other day someone mentioned how it would be hard to have any kind of relationship with a student who has a headscarf obscuring her face. Now I wonder if the people I meet in Jordan will feel it's hard to have one with someone who doesn't. I'm not sure how common it is for people not to wear one there. I've tried looking it up, but the answers I get are conflicted. The Jordanian girl I knew from London hasn't replied to my e-mail. I really, really want to get along with my home stay family, but I'm afraid our relationship will be more akin to a two-way psych experiment than an actual family. I really hope they are liberal; otherwise I think we will be too different.

We Are Iran

For class, we are reading "We Are Iran" which is a book of translated excerpts from Iranian blogs. It is crazy how many blogs there are coming out of Iran- Farsi is the 4th biggest language blogs are written in. Young people (especially girls!) use blogs to not only tell the world about the reality of Iran, but also to flirt and communicate freely- something that most Iranian teenagers must do in secret, if they do at all. In addition, Iran has started to crack down on blogs- several bloggers were arrested on charges of adultery with each other even though there is no record of them even having met. Many young people write about how they feel that blogging is the only thing that allows them to breathe.

Many blogs also write about the struggles they have choosing between imported traditions and ways of life versus keeping alive the traditions and holidays of their own, more restricting, culture. If they disagree with the religion that defines their holidays, are they then betraying their own culture by celebrating Western ones?

One blogger writes that "religious education is the quickest way to create agnostics in the modern world."* I definitely agree. After years of religious classes, I have come to believe that religion is something solely determined by what part of the world you are born in, what time period you are born in, and how religious your parents are. Some religions last longer and some religions may have more "miracles," but in the end, it just comes down to chance. I can't believe how incredibly lucky I have been to be born in modern day America. I keep dying my hair over and over again, because I know I will not be able to get away with it in Jordan- especially not with my host family. I know that in some place like Iran, I would suffocate.

*ibahram.blogspot.com if anyone out there speaks Farsi!

Women and Islamic Revival in a West African Town

In class we are reading Women and Islamic Revival in a West African Town. It talks about a preacher named Malam Awal who comes to the town of Dogondoutchi in Niger and stirs things up at the same time that a movement called Izala becomes popular. Malam Awal and proponents of Izala have completely different perspectives on what it means to be a muslim, and both manage to make people question their identities as muslims. Malam Awal has a much more tolerant point of view, whereas Izala is very, very strict about people's religious practices. It is a fascinating dichotomy for the people of Dogondutchi. For women, especially, it's quite troubling while they must question whether they go to hell for not always wearing their hijabs or for skpping a pryer so that they will have time to cook dinner for their family. Furthermore I think it's really interesting to see different approaches to Islam- too often Islam is potrayed as very, very strict and always harsh when compared to other religions that have more easily visible levels of strictness.

I'm sick and I'm incredibly busy right now so I can't really think about it, but...I got in. I GOT IN! Now I just need to find the money and this time next year I'll be in the middle east!!

Interesting, Incredibly Sad Article About Gay Iraqis

Here

Aladdin

I loved Aladdin as a child. I only ever liked the Disney movies that centered on other worlds: The Lion King, Mulan, Pocahontas. And I definitely agree that the lyrics to Aladdin's theme song are cultuarlly insensitive and politically incorrect. However, I can't decide if they're unfair. I've seen a dozen tales that show the west's past as bloodthirsty and unjust: A Tale of Two Cities and Gangs of New York stand out in my mind. Muhammad himself bearly escaped Mecca when members of his own tribe would've killed him. My point is, all countries have to develop towards human rights and we all have skeletons in our closets. Whether true or not, it is a general stereotype that universally, a long time go socities were a lot more bloodthirsty and unjust.

Is it different because it's a children's movie? I can't decided if it would influence children's views of Arabs negatively or not, since Aladdin and Jasmin re both Arabs themselves. Or is it different because it was made by westerners for westerners? His cristism for The Mummy was unfair though. He mentioned a few movies that had good andbad depictions of Muslims, but grooped The Mummy with the bad chategory, despite the fact that Arab protecters of the tomb were some of the heroes.

I suppose that isn't the point though. His critisms for the most point, are spot on. It is unfair. I'm just not sure how it can be changed.

The Hajj

I was really disapointed to realize the level the Saudi government will go to keep non-Muslims (and some actual Muslims) from entering Mecca. As someone who finds religions incredibly interested, I love visiting religious sites, so it is sad for me to realize I will probably never get a chance to visit this one. It was so strict, it actually reminded me a little of watching Lisa Ling in the National Georgraphic video of North Korea filmed before her sister was detained there for five months. It was almost the same level of crazy histeria involved keeping people out with the same amount of danger for those who sneak in.

I wish we had learned more about the American woman from the video as well as Hammoudi's family life. It would have been fascinating to talk to their familes and learn how they were raised. Watching the video, it was hard not to think of the woman as being naive. Had she not had cameras following her around (and I'm guessing, acting as protection of a sort, along with the group she went with) I wonder if she would have been treated different, as had one of the men featured in the video. This is not a critisism of Islam, so much as a critism of human nature. One of my Jewish friends is blonde and blue-eyed and I know she was looked at a little oddly when she went to Israel.

Hair

I found Carol Delaney's article "Disentangling the Meaning of Hair in Turkish Societies" really interesting. Hair has been on my mind ever since I witnessed a massive argument between friends over- of all things- Uhura's straight hair in the new Star Trek movie. Uhura, my friend argued, was supposed to be the epitone of black beauty, so why did she have to have unnatural, chemically straightened hair? Then I heard about Chris Rock making a documentry about the depiction of black women's hair in the media and as well as everyday life. Before hearing these things, I'd never really thought about hair like that. It appears Turkish women have their own drama assosciated with hair as well.

I've heard about hair as being sacred, or particulrly feminine or being cut off for mourning, but I'd never heard or thought of the human head as phallic before this article. It was really fascinating to think of hair as being a metaphor for discipline- with young boys and men having well-groomed, "disciplined" hair and girls having crazy, tangled hair. It was also really interesting to me that up until the age of two, children are clothed the same regardless of gender. How strange to think of in this society! Here children are often born with a supply of pink or blue clothes waiting for them! I also never knew of Trkish people who remove all their body hair! How painful!

I thought the notion of girls being forbidden from wearing headscarves in school horrible on several levels. I do believe it is a matter of freedom of religion, but worse than that it can be used as means of discouraging girls (and their fathers who decide how long they stay in school) from continuing on past primary school! Since it is seen as being "dirty" for girls to show their hair past this age, it makes sense many families would not be okay with girls continuing to be educated where they would forced to. How is this more Western? How is this more modern??

First Entry!!

Ok, so I'm writing this for a class entitled- you guessed it- "The Many Faces of Islam"! I'm taking this class, because it's A) an anthropology class and because B) I'm desperately trying to figure out a way to study abroad in Jordan and figure I should know as much about Islam and the Middle East as possible just in case the nice, wonderful people at S.I.T. are crazy enough to let me in. And if not, I've always been fascinated by religions and well knowledge is power, right?

For my first entry I thought I'd talk about one of the two things I've always found the most fascinating (and positive) about Islam from "History of Islam". The first would be how progressive toward women the Qur'an actually was for the time period. Prior to Islam, the women in the region we now know of as Saudi Arabia did not inherit anything upon the death of their fathers or husbands. Though Islam stated they still inherit less than men, the fact that they inherit anything at all, was actually a step foward for the women in that region. Also, in order to accuse a wife of adultry, one must have four witnesses. In addition, they were given the right to divorce their husbands- though it was much more complicated for a woman to divorce her husband than vice versa- should their husband contract a contagious disease or become impotent. In addition, if a husband divorces his wife, than he must feed and house her for three months afterwards to ensure there is absolutely no chance that she is pregnant. If it is discovered she is, and if he still desires a divorce, then it is his obligation to provide for that child until the child is weaned. Though that still seems unbelievable harsh today, for that time period and that region it was definitely a step foward. In addition, there are plenty of passages in the Qur'an that ensure orphaned children will not be abandoned or taken advantage of either.