Some thoughts on homosexuality in the Muslim world
This is an issue that is perplexing to a very large degree.
You see, homosexuality is banned in Islam. There is no ambiguity about this. Homosexuals found guilty of homosexualling are to be executed. It’s the sharī‛ah.
On the other hand – and this is what’s most puzzling – homosexuality has a very rich history in the Muslim world. Read the rest of this entry »
Fascism – then and now
Some characteristics of a fascist state or ideology is excessive nationalism or patriotism, authoritarianism, and subjecting everything to The Cause (which is often The Nation). They also tend towards totalitarianism.
In Germany during the Third Reich and in Italy during Mussolini’s regime (and even in Japan during the militarists), everything and everyone was rated relative to how it contributed to the State. Thus, capitalism, to some degree, remained, as long as the corporations served or contributed to the State. The State – which included with such designation its fascist government – could not be challenged. To challenge the State would be to commit high treason. To fail to love the State as much as its citizens were directed to, to fail to contribute as one may or as one is directed to would also be to commit high treason. Any crime against the State was high treason; all enemies of the State were enemies of the people, the Nation, the State, and so on. Read the rest of this entry »
Islamism
Many are quite fond of saying that Islam is not a religion: it’s a way of life. I have recently become quite war of anyone who advocates or wants to promote a way of life.
What would you call a system that has rules and commands for everything one does and does not do, from the trivial, such as with which foot one enters a room, to the significant, such as the moral value ascribed to what beings in what order? What would you call a system that is all-encompassing and cannot (or should not) be challenged? What would you call a system that has something to say about practically everything – and if it does not, it can be made to do so? Would you not call such a system totalitarian?
What would you call a system that has practically unimpeachable authorities whose pronouncements and decrees are authoritative and, in some cases, absolute? What would you call a system where one must rely on the prevailing authorities? What would you call a system where allegiance to the authorities is practically a mandatory duty of all people in the system, failure of which may result in punishment, expulsion, and even death? What would you call a system where these authorities call the shots, are consulted on every matter, and are heeded without question or challenge? What would you call a system where challenging, questioning, or opposing its authorities – even when blind obedience to them results in an environment of suffering and despair – is soundly condemned and may be punishable by expulsion, other punishments, or even death? Would you not call such a system authoritarian?
And now, what would you say if, considering the above, I were to say that any society under Islamic sharī‛ah (sacred law) and its ulamā‛ (religious jurisprudents and authorities) — in other words, Islamism — would be totalitarian and authoritarian?
Just something to think about.
Individuality versus “Respective Manner”
Alaa said:
We are ordered to recommend the right to other Muslims and to prevent them from doing anything wrong or against Islam so that the society stays in a respective manner. I think the society is preferred over ones’ acts. Right?
I would have to say no. One major contrast between The West and The Rest is the prevalence of individuality and individual autonomy in The West. No religion or even way of life is imposed on anyone. Crimes are prohibited, and punished accordingly. But as long as one does not commit a crime, one is free to do what one wants or free to not do whatever one has decided not to do. It is for this reason that The West has flourished while The Rest are mired in backwardness. Read the rest of this entry »
Ramadan
Ramadan (, ramaDān or ramzān) is one of the holiest months of the Islamic calendar. During this lunar month, Muslims are ordered to fast (refraining from all food and drink) from dawn to dusk. It is customary to eat a breakfast (سحري, saHarī, also pronounced sehrī by South Asians, “of or pertaining to سحر, saHar, “dawn”) before keeping one’s fast and to eat a meal (إفطار, ifTār, “breaking a fast”; also إفطاري, ifTārī, “of or pertaining to breaking a fast”) while breaking it. Oftentimes people will eat a large sehrī, break it with a lavish ifTār, and eat dinner later at night. Considering the type and quantity foods eaten during sehrī and ifTār, it should not be surprising that some people actually gain weight during Ramadan. Read the rest of this entry »
In Pakistan
I have reached Pakistan safe and sound. The flight was nice, though long. It’s hot here.
The Islamic month of Ramadan (رمضان, ramaDān; Persian- and Urdu-speakers and other South Asians pronounce it as ramZān) has started, which obviously gives me lots of material to write about.
