While browsing through the Jordan Times website, I found the following statistics, which I found very intriguing:
The number of Jordanian women filing for divorce at the Amman Sharia Court, under what is widely
known as the khuloe law, has doubled over the past two years. In 2003, 376 women filed khuloe cases, of which 37 cases were settled. But in 2004, the number increased to 852 khuloe cases at the same court, and Sharia judges settled 111 cases, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.
While I should not celebrate the breakup of families, I’m quite happy that women are getting equal rights as men when it comes to divorce. This victory, however, may not last thanks to the brilliant work of some Jordanian MPs.
Women’s rights campaigners suffered a blow when the Lower House twice rejected the amended Personal Status Law in 2003 and 2004. Many deputies charged then that the law encouraged immorality, was against Islamic Sharia and disintegrated family values.
However, there is still hope. Let’s just wait and see.
The Upper House upheld the government’s amendments but no date has been set for a joint session vote, which will require a two-thirds majority for the legislation to be passed. The temporary khuloe law remains in effect until the two Houses vote on it.
1-Would your envisioned Islamic state impose a dress code on women like Hijab? Even on non-Muslim women? – No that didnt happen before and it wouldn’t happen then. keep in mind the muslims did not force anyone to convert to islam especially the people of the book i.e. jews and christians. there is no compulsion in religion (as the quran states)
2- Would it allow for open public beaches where men and women can swim right next to each other in swim suits? – allahu a3lam, an educated guess says it would be something like ma3een where you have a section for men, women and families.
3- Would it impose Jizaya on non-Muslims? – i’m not 100% sure about this as im not a scholar but i would expect that would happen. keep in mind that the jizya is concerned more during times of military conflict, when it comes to such a thing for the protection of the state then i would image it would be more of a symbolic payment, i.e. not a major source of revenue for the state
4- Would it ban alcohol? – Imam abu-haniefah said that it was agreed upon in Islam that non-muslims could follow their own customs of eating pork, drinking alcohol as long as its in the scope of the shari3a. so, there would be a difference between getting together with your family (im assuming ure christian) and drinking alcohol, but its another thing to open a store to sell it, i.e. to make it wide spread.
5- Would it encourage public musical concerts of Western bands like let’s say U2– (one of my favorite bands by the way;)) – one of mine as well. the word encouragement is strange in this context, it would not prohibit unless they were to preform in a haram way. all in all i think U2 would fly under the radar, but zooropa would be banned (i kid). britney spears is another story.
6- Would women still be considered as half witnesses? – half-witnesses is wrong interpretation by those who do not understand islam and specifically that ayat (surat il baqara #282 i think). if u would like me to explain to u i will upon ure request.
7- Would women be able to divorce? – yes they would, islamically they can today but other laws errode the shari3a laws in addition to cultural behaviours.
Are you sure you can live without the golden bra;-) Just kidding;-)
Anyway, although I don’t agree with most of your ideas, but I’m glad we are having a healthy debate.
Ok more questions:
1-Would your envisioned Islamic state impose a dress code on women like Hijab? Even on non-Muslim women?
2- Would it allow for open public beaches where men and women can swim right next to each other in swim suits?
3- Would it impose Jizaya on non-Muslims?
4- Would it ban alcohol?
5- Would it encourage public musical concerts of Western bands like let’s say U2– (one of my favorite bands by the way;))
6- Would women still be considered as half witnesses?
7- Would women be able to divorce?
6- Would women still get half the share of inheritance even if they were not married and were supporting themselves like it is the case with many women nowadays?
Again, Nas, I really want to understand your vision. I’m in no way mocking your ideologies. I just want to fully visualize the Islamic state that seems to be favored by many people nowadays. So please indulge me
Natasha, thank you for the questions.
I don’t see a contradiction between having western movies and an Islamic state. People get the idea that in having one we are going to go out to the middle of town and a have a big book burning bonfire. There are many things which may not be necessarily “islamic” in the traditional sense of the word, yet are premitted. Entertainment is fine as long as it’s left to good judgement i.e. the halal of it is halal and the haram of it is haram i.e. star wars is different from a porno flick. Alot of philosophy is anti-religious, yet the muslims preserved the teachings of Aristotle and Plato. The reason i was forced to read The Republic in my freshmen year of poli sci was because muslim scholars reintroduced it to the europeans in Italy severl centuries ago.
The islamic state i envision is not based on any realities of the modern world as it stands today. An islamic state is not one where people are confined to their homes to pray non-stop. There is a return to the balance of like and not to it’s extremes as you see today.
I’m not attempting to have the cake and eat it to…it’s a matter of balance, this is what islam preaches, the moderation. none of which is available anywhere in the world today.
As for star wars lol, it’s science fiction, islam does not render a person incapable of dreaming or using his imagination to tell stories. most of ancient arabian literature was fantasy. Under such a state i imagine a few scenes would be censored: princess liea’s golden bra in return of the jedi and the make out scene in episode II….i think i can live without those 30 seconds and still enjoy the movie 😀
Nas,
I hope you don’t misinterpret the following questions as sarcasm, cause I really want to know your take on some issues.
From your blog, I gathered that you are a huge fan of Star Wars and you can’t wait to watch the hitchhiker guide to the galaxy, so do you think a future Islamic state that you envision would allow the showing of these purely Western entertainment? Let alone science fiction that might contradict with the teachings of Islam?
Nas,
Do you think you can have it all? Enjoying a Western life style while preaching for the establishment of an Islamic state?
hubby, why would they be effected by the presense of an islamic state 😉
Hubby say what?
I downloaded the Star Wars III last trailer two nights ago and can’t stop watching it.
You into that?
Um how about Star Wars or A Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy the movie. 😉
natasha, thank you. to answer your question deserves other questions to be looked at such as:
– can we get any worse than we already are?
– was it feasbile 1400 years ago when they went to war eating only dates and built one of the most remarkable empires in human history?
and finally…
– what do we have to loose?
Thank you for the clarification Nas. That was well written.
But do you believe that having an Islamic state run by a Khalifa, like it was the case during the heyday of Arabs, can be feasible in this day and time?
Kinzi, hhahahaha…will let you be the judge of that one.
And no, there is no legitimate Islamic state on earth at the moment…