Rochdale - an Asian man's viewpoint

[Kiki-frog]

I'm not asking a question, but rather inviting responses to this very interesting article that someone has just sent me:

http://comment.rsablo...ny-misrepresentation/

[Kiki-frog]

No joke, Katie. This topic has been covered numerous times in AB, but always with reference to the Daily Mail. I was really interested when I was sent this as it provided a different viewpoint, which many people here might not have encountered - hence I thought I would share it.

For what it's worth, I was sent this link by a friend who's an Anglican priest in Sheffield, who is heavily involved in interfaith work with a local imam. Now I'm neither Christian nor Muslim, so any religious aspect isn't really of that much relevance to me, but I do find it interesting to see an alternative viewpoint.

Thanks to everyone who has commented - what a diverse lot ABers are! And long may it be so. Wouldn't it be dull if we all thought the same?

[humbersloop]

No it isn't katie, it's a serious issue and I, for one, am glad kiki posted this.

Anything to add that responds to the issues the article actually raises beyond it's written by somebody self-declared from a muslim family so it must be an apology?

[naomi24]

The author seems rather confused to me. I'll read the article again tomorrow.

[Kiki-frog]

Sorry, Katie, which link are you referring to? I don't understand why you feel I've caught you out in some way - can you explain, please?

[EDDIE51]

I have to agree that the 'tradition' of treating women as 2nd class citizens in Islamic countries is very much to blame.

[birdie1971]

From the linked article - “... there are questions to be asked about the misogyny of a small number of Muslims preachers in the UK, their deeply conservative and at times hostile attitudes to women, If Muslim women are second class citizens to them, what does that make non-Muslim, poor, easily exploitable, vulnerable young women?...”

He's hit the nail squarely on the head there. What is interesting is his use of the word 'conservative' when describing those who appear to consider women to be somehow lesser then men. In a rather circuitous way he is saying that a 'small number' of Muslim preachers are adhering to the literal teachings of their religion – a tacit admission that the Islamic faiths holds women in contempt.