MGGPillai.com :: [AFP] Malaysian woman's lonely campaign for religious freedom

Posted on December 29th, 2005 by martijn.
Categories: Internal Debates.

MGGPillai.com :: [AFP] Malaysian woman’s lonely campaign for religious freedom

In some countries leaving Islam can cause great problems. When there are two systems of law (civil and shari’a) you are caught in between because no one dares to interfere, like in this case in Malaysia. That makes this an interesting case to follow, also because the religious convictions of the woman concerned are worthwile noting. The gender issue is probably also important, but the author of the article does not elaborate on that.

Agence France-Presse news agency
28 December 2005

ASIAN LIVES: Malaysian woman’s lonely campaign for religious freedom

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 28 (AFP) – No one will give Kamariah Ali a job, relatives and one-time friends shun her, and much of her time is spent in the law courts — all because she no longer wants to be a Muslim.
“People look down on me because I renounced Islam. But people don’t understand. Actually, religion belongs to God and you can access God in any way, not necessarily through Islam,” says the soft-spoken 54- year-old.
(more…)

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MGGPillai.com :: [AFP] Malaysian woman’s lonely campaign for religious freedom

Posted on December 29th, 2005 by .
Categories: Internal Debates.

MGGPillai.com :: [AFP] Malaysian woman’s lonely campaign for religious freedom

In some countries leaving Islam can cause great problems. When there are two systems of law (civil and shari’a) you are caught in between because no one dares to interfere, like in this case in Malaysia. That makes this an interesting case to follow, also because the religious convictions of the woman concerned are worthwile noting. The gender issue is probably also important, but the author of the article does not elaborate on that.

Agence France-Presse news agency
28 December 2005

ASIAN LIVES: Malaysian woman’s lonely campaign for religious freedom

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 28 (AFP) – No one will give Kamariah Ali a job, relatives and one-time friends shun her, and much of her time is spent in the law courts — all because she no longer wants to be a Muslim.
“People look down on me because I renounced Islam. But people don’t understand. Actually, religion belongs to God and you can access God in any way, not necessarily through Islam,” says the soft-spoken 54- year-old.
(more…)

0 comments.

Chron.com | Factions battle for the soul of Islam

Posted on December 29th, 2005 by martijn.
Categories: Internal Debates.

Chron.com | Factions battle for the soul of Islam

•Moderates and militants exchange proclamations in war of the fatwas

By BRIAN MURPHY – Associated Press

ATHENS, GREECE – It’s becoming known as the war of the fatwas: the dizzying exchange of proclamations between Islamic moderates and militants on what it means to be Muslim. The duels have been waged in pamphlets and in cyberspace.

Now some Muslim leaders seek to shift tactics. Their hope rests in one of Islam’s most elemental questions: Who has the real authority to make religious rulings and other interpretations of the faith?

Proposals to sharply control the issuing of fatwas — the nonbinding edicts on Muslim life, law and duties — are still little more than loose concepts and would require potentially stormy challenges to Islam’s decentralized leadership.

But there are some influential backers such as Jordan’s King Abdullah II. They argue that bold changes are needed in Islam’s hierarchy to isolate radical clerics and discredit terrorist leaders.

Abdullah, who brought his anti-terrorist message to Athens last week, has appealed for moderate Muslims to take decisive control of fatwas and religious guidance. In early December, Abdullah told the 56-member Organization of the Islamic Conference that failure to establish a clear framework to interpret Islam leaves the door open for radicals.

The summit in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, wrapped up with a statement reinforcing that only “those who are authorized” can issue fatwas.

But now there’s the Internet and other ways to spread messages to mass audiences.

One of the most infamous salvos was the 1998 “fatwa” by Osama bin Laden and followers that called on Muslims to “kill the Americans and their allies.”

0 comments.

Chron.com | Factions battle for the soul of Islam

Posted on December 29th, 2005 by .
Categories: Internal Debates.

Chron.com | Factions battle for the soul of Islam

•Moderates and militants exchange proclamations in war of the fatwas

By BRIAN MURPHY – Associated Press

ATHENS, GREECE – It’s becoming known as the war of the fatwas: the dizzying exchange of proclamations between Islamic moderates and militants on what it means to be Muslim. The duels have been waged in pamphlets and in cyberspace.

Now some Muslim leaders seek to shift tactics. Their hope rests in one of Islam’s most elemental questions: Who has the real authority to make religious rulings and other interpretations of the faith?

Proposals to sharply control the issuing of fatwas — the nonbinding edicts on Muslim life, law and duties — are still little more than loose concepts and would require potentially stormy challenges to Islam’s decentralized leadership.

But there are some influential backers such as Jordan’s King Abdullah II. They argue that bold changes are needed in Islam’s hierarchy to isolate radical clerics and discredit terrorist leaders.

Abdullah, who brought his anti-terrorist message to Athens last week, has appealed for moderate Muslims to take decisive control of fatwas and religious guidance. In early December, Abdullah told the 56-member Organization of the Islamic Conference that failure to establish a clear framework to interpret Islam leaves the door open for radicals.

The summit in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, wrapped up with a statement reinforcing that only “those who are authorized” can issue fatwas.

But now there’s the Internet and other ways to spread messages to mass audiences.

One of the most infamous salvos was the 1998 “fatwa” by Osama bin Laden and followers that called on Muslims to “kill the Americans and their allies.”

0 comments.

Protected: Nederlands Dagblad – Europese vrouwen vallen voor de islam

Posted on December 29th, 2005 by martijn.
Categories: Gender, Kinship & Marriage Issues.

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