Nihari Nation

Thursday, May 07, 2009

VIDEO: The brutal practice of daughter exchange ...

Normally we should take for granted that people will mix religion and culture. The idea that religious practice can only exist in a cultural vacuum is absurd. But what happens when those cultural influence leads to the exploitation of women?

The following video from Al-Jazeera English shows the tragic results of certain cultural practices being enforced by religious leaders among Kurdish Muslims in Iraq. The text accompanying the video is as follows:

In the tribal areas of Kurdistan in northern Iraq, arranged marriages have been a way of life for centuries.

But society is changing. Families who engaged their daughters when they were still children are now renegotiating old contracts.

Nicole Johnston reports from Rania district, where some girls are choosing death over an arranged marriage.

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Sunday, May 03, 2009

BOOK: Bollywood exegesis of Once Were Radicals - Part I

Well my book Once Were Radicals: My years as a teenage Islamo-fascist has finally been released. You can buy it at most shops for $27, or you can save $2 and buy it from me direct. However, if you do that, then chances are that I will have to charge you at least $2 just to post it to you! Unless of course if you are prepared to meet me in an agreed-upon location. Preferably something very tasteful such as ElSweetie Cafe in Granville, though I'll happily settle for places like the Auburn Soccer Club, Ryde/Eastwood Leagues Club or the Pymble Hotel.

Anyway, from time to time, I will share with you some tafsir (a technical term in Islamic sciences meaning exegesis) of the text with reference to a cultural institution I spent much of my growing years being tortured by - Bollywood. So here goes ...

My parents resumed their fascistic language regime which involved us not being allowed to speak English at home ... My linguistic education included a regular regime of Bollywood movies.
(from Once Were Radicals: My years as a teenage Islamo-fascist)

Bollywood movies like Namak Halal, starring Amitabh Bachchan. Here is the big man playing the character of Arjun Singh, a villager who has just arrived in the city for a job interview.

Words © 2009 Irfan Yusuf

Saturday, May 02, 2009

VIDEO: Shias in Bahrain ...

Video from Al-Jazeera English. Here is the text accompanying the video.

Tensions are simmering between Bahrain's Sunni rulers and the kingdom's Shia majority population.

The Shias, seeking greater representation in the country's political sphere, accuse the government of fanning sectarian divisions.

But as Al Jazeera's Hashem Ahelbarra reports from Manama, some Sunnis see the Shia-demand as an attempt to undermine the monarchy.

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VIDEO: On attacking Ayaan Hirsi Magaan/Ali ...

Hirsi/Magaan wants to change how Muslims relate to God. Yet she doesn't believe in God. And she wants Muslims to take her seriously. Makes sense?

You can watch the full video by clicking here.

But are her Muslim critics also beyond question? What do her experiences say about Muslims themselves, especially those living in Western democratic countries?

Words © 2009 Irfan Yusuf

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Thursday, April 30, 2009

COMMENT: Not Enough Faith?

The Sydney Morning Herald reports that the charity Just Enough Faith (JEF) is under investigation for some funny business involving its fundraising activities and proceeds. JEF was apparently banned from fundraising in 2002 after breaching Charities legislation some three times.

I first became aware of JEF after reading about the experiences of its founder Jeff Gambin in media reports. Later, in September 2005, I visited JEF's premises near Rozelle Hospital where the al-Ghazali Centre volunteers were preparing food for distribution that evening as part of their "Feed The Homeless" program.

I'm not sure if the AGC people were aware of JEF's issues back then. I'm not suggesting they were in anyway involved. As far as I am aware, AGC were only using JEF's premises and equipment. It now appears that JEF's activities will now be managed by Bill Crews' Exodus Foundation.

Feeding and serving the homeless is indeed among the more noble activities, and has formed an essential component of the dawah (outreach) activities of South Asian sufis for centuries. If only more Muslim groups in Australia followed AGC's lead and participated in this kind of activity.

UPDATE: A group of Muslim students in Sweden are also working with a Christian charity to feed the homeless. You can read about their work here with an English translation here.

Words © 2009 Irfan Yusuf

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