The Australian has reported on October 26th that Sh Hilali has made comments during a Friday sermon in the month of Ramadan that indicated that he “blamed immodestly dressed women who don't wear Islamic headdress for being preyed on by men and likened them to abandoned "meat" that attracts voracious animals.”
I can’t confirm or deny the accuracy of the translated version of his speech. However, I would like to make the following comments:
1- Islam encourages and prescribes modesty in dress (including Hijab). At the same time, Islam views rape as the most heinous of crimes and prescribes a severe punishment for rapists.
2-I have no doubt in my mind that Sh Taj never meant to rationalize the act of rape nor to suggest that rapists should not be exposed to the full force of the law. However, he should have been careful about how he presented his view so not to risk the slightest chance of being misunderstood by youth that he is rationalizing rape. He made a grave mistake by making such irresponsible comments.
3- I think that some of the words of the Sheik have been intentionally mistranslated like the use of the word "meat" instead of "flesh" to make the comment sound even more degrading than it already is. "Exposed flesh" is a word used commonly by Australians.
4- This view (suggestive dress encourages assault) is still used in courts of law by defence lawyers of raping offenders. It is also a view held by some church groups.
5- If you asked me: Does Hijab / conservative dress reduce the risk of being sexually assaulted? I would say: Probably yes, although it does not prevent it. Rapists are sick people anyway and may not only be sexually motivated for example elderly women are also raped in Australia. However, I would advocate (as Islam does) maximising of personal safety.
6- I am surprised that the comments were published more than 2 weeks after being made and their release was timed with the Werribee incident in Victoria. It is suspicious because the author of the article is Richard Kerbaj, the same guy who claimed that Dr Amir Ali said that the prophet had "character flaws" last week (see previous posting).
UPDATE: ICV and other Islamic organizations have asked for Sh Hilali's immediate resignation. We will see what happens.
References:
The Australian article.
http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/muslims-pan-muftis-speech/2006/10/26/1161749253946.html
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200610/s1773857.htm
Friday, October 27, 2006
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4 comments:
Excuses and more excuses. How pathetic. No, the man's words were not misunderstood or out of context. He said what he meant and this idea is very islamic.
Oh yes, by the way... Please don't say "Islam views rape as the most heinous of crimes and prescribes a severe punishment for rapists" because your dear Allah authorizes rape of captives, in case you haven't read the Quran.
Sick!
John Kactuz
so John Kactuz! have you read the quran then, obviously not. Yes, our dear Allah advises us that rape is the most henious of crimes and prescribes a severe punishment for rapist. Now you take words from the quran that are totaly out of context. I, as a muslim woman, who choose to wear the hijab, believe that hijab protect us.
I agree though with ozmuslim that Sh Taj should have been more careful in choosing his words. Rape is the worst thing that could happen to any woman, and I think that rapist should get capital punishment for this sick sick act.
Sick people, i pity for you, i wonder how do you believe in science and go after logical solutions when you are having a dispute with yourselves as a fact! read and analyze don't just scream defending what is wrong. you suffer from raping and from women's humilation and we haven't got this problem widely spread as you have got it our communities, ask yourselves why? why do you suffer? it is because of your doings, i don't quite agree with what the muphty stated, because it is in the wrong place or to the wrong community, but i also diagree with the above point of view with no hatred, but i think disagreeing doesnot mean, to mock each other point of views, please, READ,THINK,ANALYZE AND THEN YOU CAN FIND THE TRUTH....
AHMED GAHMY GAD
29-10-2006
you People are strange, you like what torture you, you are suffering from raping widely spread in your communities, violance, wives beaten,all this problems, and when someone tries to supply a resolution, you quickly attack him, and mock, him in a very violating behavior, I disagee with what the Muphti said, disagree about the way it is said, and to whom, but agrees you have a problem, I wonder how you believe in science when you are being unscientific with your selves,why are you disputing with your own selevs, we donot say accept islam but don't at least disgrace the people who are on its side,wake up before its too late. I don't I respect that they represent other individuals concepts and trends, and in the same time I don't mock them, we have got problems in Islam, but not like yours, you have to stop, listen, analyze and then decide which way you wanna go.
And who mentioned anything about raping the captives?! this is absurds,irresponsible words, may god correct your vision, and make you able to see the correct way to live your life,
Ahmad Fahmy Gad
www.islamisus.blogspot.com
agad58@hotmail.com
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