when it is easy to accuse, do you join the crowd to mock?

Okay, time for updates. Its been some time since I last updated. I've been dead tired lah these past few days, what with reaching home close to midnight for three consecutive days. I need sleep, badly! Somehow time flies when you're working, no correction, time flies when you're trying to rest, but crawlsss LIKE. A. TURTLE. that had a snail for a father when ur working. Whatever. But you get my drift. OH, and I've rebonded my fringe! Not to the front as bangs like I did the last time, this time to the side, the first day it looked alot like Rihanna's one(ya that ella ella eh eh eh girl), but I swear even rebonding is at the mercy of my curly curly mee maggie hair genes, and today, 3 days on and i SWEAR its slightly wavy already. But i like it, maybe i'll put photos up, for those who care enough.:D

Anyway, I've been pushing the updating of my blog aside because I really wanted to blog about the lecture I attended last Monday after work, the one about feminism and Islamic fundamentalism- entitled: "Secular Feminism and Politics of Empire: Islam and the War on Terror" by Prof. Saba Mahmood. She's a professor from the University of Berkeley but hails from Egypt. Her views were insightful and evoked a great deal of after-thoughts, though there were some views of hers that I felt were debatable.

Just to encapsulate the one and a half hour lecture, Prof. Saba believed that the Bush Administration was of the opinion that the only way feminism could be inspired and championed in many seemingly female- discriminating Muslim nations is by overthrowing the Islamic fundamentalists who have indomitable power in these countries. Well its saddening really to think that the World at large is of the opinion that Islam, as a religion that is commonly associated to these fundamentalists) are neccesarily discriminating against the female gender. Many forget to draw the line between cultural and Islamic practices.

Like for instance, the simple customary practice of wearing the burqa, that is common amongst the middle eastern women. Notice the word 'customary", meaning non-obligatory, but thats besides the point, because most importantly, it is not deemed obligatory by Islam. That is NOT to say that we Muslim women are not obliged to cover our hair and chest for modesty's sake, but that a burqa (that covers one from head to toe, even her eyes, is really not necessary). The middle eastern muslim women have just gotten so accustomed to wearing the burqa, that the idea of taking it off, even when they had the chance to, like in Afghanistan after the overhaul of the Talibans, was too outrageous a thought to take to the next level. Yet, the burqa has lately been the icon of the "repressive" lives of the Middle Eastern women, urging many to jump to the conclusion that removing the burqa would be a symbolic move in defeating the fundamentalists and a great leap in the fight to champion for equal rights.

Whilst it may still be excusable for the many narrow minded, ignorant Americans to jump to the conclusion that Islam is a religion that does not propagate equality of rights amongst the two genders, it is disheartening and very disturbing to note that renowned, learned individuals like MARGARET ATWOOD ( the true feminist herself) is of the very same opinion! Those who read The Handmaid's Tale" for A-level Lit, would know what a brilliant writer she really is. Yet, many well respected individuals like her, who I would expect to be more open minded of Worldly events and issues like religion, and therefore be free of harbouring stereotypical views pertaining to Islam, are in actual fact of the same opinion- that Islam is really against equality of the gender rights.

You know at times like this, I have this earnest wish to go learn so much more about Islam and feminism, just so I can enlighten them of their misperceptions. It is not that I cannot understand why the world at large views Islam in the suspicious and accusatory way that they do. But even if a whole group who call themselves Muslims commits the most heinous act of all, does that mean that all Muslims deserve to be condemed, or that it is necessarily Islam-the religion of love and peace, that is to be blamed? It is easy to jump to conclusions, I hope and pray that one day atleast they will see Islam for what it truly is, one that not only emphasises on the need for equality but for love of humanity.