Islam is not the enemy. Every thinking person in the West should know this well by now. The enemy is ignorance and it's dirty offspring: tribalism, sectarianism and most other isms of one kind or another.
Here's what the Quaran says about women so we might put this issue to rest for good:
"Their Lord responded to them: "I never fail to reward any worker among you for any work you do, be you MALE OR FEMALE, YOU ARE EQUAL TO ONE ANOTHER........."
The reason the West is headed for a full-scale showdown with so-called Islamists is simple: They have hijacked their own religion and Western Democracies have no respect for it.
I am not posting here to debate the merits of either view. I see both sides of this debate as having valid and important points to make. But, I must choose a side. And that side is with the inevitable march of progress in women's rights and equality.
Those Islamic governments who are creating cultures where women can participate as equals to men will be more successful in the long-run. It's axiomatic. Those who supress the natural rights of all human beings to live a life of liberty coupled with the ability to pursue happiness -- or unhappiness if they choose -- will be less successful.
It goes deeper than that. Success is a relative term, after all. The earth is a mess. We can't afford to leave anyone on the sidelines of a problem that is going to require a lot of - if you'll forgive the redneckism -- assholes and elbows to fix. Arab civilizations were the most advanced in the world. They are now the most backward and moribund. We all should be doing what we can to encourage their return to glory.
Why so-called "wise men" are leaving large portions of the brain power of their communities untapped is puzzling. It is time for our government to do whatever we can to support those organizations that are trying to help women achieve equality in Islamist societies. Better to do this calmly and steadfastly today than over the point of a sword tomorrow. Although, the jihadists seem to prefer the sword.
I have patiently met with and discussed these issues with Muslim friends. I am amazed at the thoughtfulness of Islam and the kindness of those who believe. But, their places of worship continue to separate men from women. I don't judge that. I merely point out that it is an examphttp://www2.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gifle of the kind of separate but equal doctrine that never really works as history has shown.
More on this as I ponder it. It's a complex issue that cannot be neatly described. That being said, though, there is an inevitability to this issue that must be addressed by our leaders. Now with a female Speaker of the House of Representatives, I hope the issue will be more considered more intently.
Until next time.
P.S. Want to read more on this subject from a first person viewpoint: The Muslim Woman dot org.
