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Breastfeeding and Gender Equality
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
From time to time I run across an article that reports an idea or action that's so far off-base, it simply begs for commentary. We all know that in Muslim countries men and women are afforded separate and unequal rights. While Muslim women are slowly seeing small opportunities for gender equality spurred on by the changing climate of a global society, there is still room for drastic improvements.
In an attempt to find a legitimate, holy way for men and women to work alongside each other, an Egyptian cleric from Al-Azhar University, one of Sunni Islam's most prestigious institutions, issued a fatwa (religious edict) that said adult men could breastfeed from their female co-workers in order to create a family bond akin to a mother-son relationship. Creating a family relationship, in this cleric's rationale, would then allow men and women to work side-by-side without tainting the traditional religious beliefs of Islam. Islamic rule forbids men and women from being alone together.
For me, his intentions were sort of in the right place, but his philosophy was in the gutter. Can't you just see his mind working?
[Him thinking.]But it wasn't brilliant. In fact, it's pretty disgusting. What if there wasn't an uproar over this fatwa and think how this edict would be like raping women -- every day. Can you imagine a grown man sucking on your breasts? I certainly can't.
I need to work with women.
But I can't.
Must find a way to work with women. Must find a way......
Hmm. Wait. a. minute! [Snaps fingers.] I've got it. Breastfeeding! Men could suck on their female colleagues' breasts and then we'd be like mother and son under Islamic law and women and men could work together. Brilliant! I'll even be able to get my jollies -- he..he..he. [Mutters to himself.]
Although this edict is disgusting, this is what is the most heinous.
Attiya had initially stood by his fatwa, but on Sunday he backtracked an apologised for the controversy. He said his fatwa was "only an opinion based on one incident".One incident?!? So, he must have taken his fatwa on a test-drive before releasing it to the public. Poor woman.
What this says to me: There are some nasty, deranged people on earth.
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Labels: news.commentary
posted by Jennifer James @ 6:59 AM,
4 Comments:
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At May 22, 2007 3:59 PM,
Eilat said...
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I wonder if the woman has to be lactating, or if it's ok to violate her regardless?
This whole topic just boggles my mind. -
At May 23, 2007 10:49 AM,
Jennifer James said...
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This story is disturbing on so many levels. I'm so glad he was fired. Other clerics even want him punished. Works for me.
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At May 24, 2007 5:58 PM,
Mother Laura said...
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Not to be inappropriate...but actually I can imagine a grown man sucking on my breasts--or I probably wouldn't have had three children to breastfeed.
Not my co-worker though.
This is a horrifying story. -
At June 13, 2007 9:17 PM,
Brad Isaac said...
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When I heard this I thought it had to be a joke. To find out it's true?
Wow...
It's basically like saying "Ok, we'll let you help dig us out of this financial mess, but only if you let us violate you first."
