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.