BAN ISLAM-REPLY TO SUSAN

Submitted by Fazal Habib Curmally (Pakistan), Sep 9, 2007 at 11:54

Dear Susan,

I am sorry for a delayed answer. I just saw your question. Here is my answer and it is detailed. We have what is called the Shari'at Act that became law in the late 1970s. In Islamic law, to prove adultery, you need 4 witnesses. This requirement was also applied to rape under the Sharia't Act in my country Pakistan. I don't think it applies to other Islamic countries.They have their own laws on the matter.

Now if there are 4 witnesses to a rape, then he quaetion arises "Are they reliable witnesses or are they accessories to the crime?" Happily, this requirement was undone in 2006 and today a woman has to go and report her being raped and that is enough for law to take it's course and there is no requirement of witnesses. Obvioiusly no one standsby and watch an act of rape.

I am acquainted with Mr Cowasjee's works. He is a reputed and well respected columnist in my country. No one in their sane mind can deny that there is rape in my country. There is. Unhappily, under the Shari'a Law in my country, there were ridiculous requirements of proof. This is no longer the case and it doesn't mean that there are no rapes in Islam or there is no consideration of justice.The punishments are much harsher for rape in Islam than in secular countries. Whether they are inflicted or not is something I cannot vouch for.

Perhaps blanket condemnations like what you are doing is also biased. Today Islam is a bad word . perhaps its a word used to denote every thing that is barbaric or repugnent to civilised society. That should not be the case. Perhaps the greatest damage that could be done to a better understanding of 2 civilisations the Christian and the Muslim, were the actions of Osama bin laden and George W Bush. I will not say who is more wrong because 2 wrongs don't make a right.BY trying to show who and why we will go into history and become victims of history. Tomorrow is our destiny and that is where we should look.

Perhaps it is time to build bridges and ask questions and give answers for a better understanding between our different worlds. Try and understand Susan, extremeism isn't an islamic sdomething I don't know but have you heard Rev. Jerry Falwell in the USA? Perhaps you have seen Christiane Amanpour's 3 part documentary "God's Warriors". If you haven't, do see it. It goes to make for better understanding and a better world. let me close by quoting from Albert Camus. "This is a world in which little children are tortured. We can't stop all the children from being tortured but we can lessen thier numbers. And if you don't help us, who in the World will?"

Peace be with you , My Sister.

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