Our first book of 2013 is Ayaan's amazing journey from Somalia to Holland where she applied for refugee status, worked hard for a university education and was elected to be a Member of Parliament.
This book shows us the life of a Muslim woman and the abuse and oppression she had to endure in countries where men subjugate their women in the name of Islam. There were some horrific scenes of female genital circumcision and corporal punishments. It was sad that her younger sister, who had originally appeared the stronger, succumbed to mental disease and died.
Ayaan tries to reconcile the violence and inequality that she and other Muslim women are subjected to with the Muslim teaching of a peaceful and loving Allah. Her path from being a woman of faith and prayer to becoming an atheist is almost entirely based on intellectual reasoning.
Why are women supposed to suppress their sexuality in the name of modesty while men are free to live in society without any such restrictions? Interestingly, in the Sydney Morning Herald a few days ago, there was an article about such extremist views but coming from Israel. To read the article : http://www.dailylife.com.au/life-and-love/real-life/stoned-for-having-short-hair-20130130-2dkd1.html
The short film which she produced with Theo Van Gogh called Submission Part 1 and for which Theo was assassinated in Holland is available on You Tube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGtQvGGY4S4
Melissa came across this radio programme and here is what she has to say :
"Thought you might be interested in the Radio National program that was played yesterday on feminism in religion. Malay women activists were talking about polygamy, sexual prohibitions on women, patriarchal inheritance and other matters of inequality that are enabled by shariya law. Also discussion on burhka-wearing by choice, the gendered God, and the "third sex" in religions - fascinating"
http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/encounter/women-program/4478874
And thanks Marty for this very interesting debate "Is Islam a religion of peace?"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFvklPpGZtA&feature=youtube_gdata_player
We rate this book 8.3 out of 10.
Infidel ties in very nicely with our next choice, The Little Coffee Shop of Kabul by Deborah Rodriguez.
The meeting will take place at Jane's on Thursday March 14th.
