Don’t Drag Islam into Every Debate Concerning Women
By
Farahnaz Zahidi Moazzam
January 25,
2012
Why is it
then that in almost every article, blog, documentary, book, or piece of
information that talks of a woman who has been wronged, Islam is brought up
even though it is totally out of context?
A wife: Not
an adversary, not a subordinate, not a superior, but a companion – an equal,
with a role that may be different, but equal.
A marriage:
A coveted relationship based on mutual respect, companionship, love, and joy.
This is how
it is supposed to be; this is how Islam sees it. Is that always the case in
reality?
No. In a
disturbing percentage of cases, it is not.
Is Islam to
be blamed for this or any religion for that matter? No. Are patriarchal
cultural tendencies responsible for it? Often, yes.
Why is it
then that in almost every article, blog, documentary, book, or piece of
information that talks of a woman who has been wronged, Islam is brought up
even though it is totally out of context?
However, it
seems like we are living in a world of ‘catch phrases’ and safe playing when it
comes to media (writing, journalism, music, or film-making). Like a very apt
comment on Facebook recently said:
“One cannot
go wrong with Sufism these days.”
A bit of
mullah-bashing, human rights jargon, controversial issues brought out of the
closet – and voila! A recipe for success.
Being a
journalist and a human rights activist of sorts myself, this is not to imply
that there is anything wrong with it. But there has to be a context – some sort
of a connection. Without connection, bringing religion into every human rights
violation is moot. If it is contextual, then by all means, go ahead and do so.
An example
is a recent interesting write-up on marital rape. The topic is apt, relevant to
many, a human rights violation, and thus, should be taken up. But Islam neither
encourages nor condones it. More than the writer, the comments under the
write-up were disturbing. It seemed as though people were looking for an
opportunity to lash out at Islam. Ahadith being quoted were completely out of
context.
For the
record, I agree with the writer; marital rape is rape. It is a human rights
violation not sanctioned by Islam.
Let me also
narrate a story here:
A woman,
Muslim, Pakistani, educated, with a so-called educated husband, gives birth to
her third child. She comes home with the baby. She has an episiotomy. Her
stitches have not healed. The first night her husband forces himself on her.
She bleeds. She cries. She does not want it. He does not care. But she does not
protest. It is a case of marital rape. No question about it. In addition to
this, a woman’s basic human right of respect has been violated. She is
simultaneously a victim of domestic violence, harassment, and marital rape.
The above
story has many catch phrases and concepts that will make it an instant hit, and
if used as a baseline for a feature or film, it has potential to become a human
rights’ champion. Woman, Muslim, marital rape, human right, victim, domestic
violence, harassment: all these words are going to come up in net-searches or
tags. Add to it a few ahadith and verses from the Quran that seem patriarchal
enough and voila! Recipe for a hit, with many comments under it, commending the
bravery and valour of the one who dared to bring it up.
Let me be
clear here, it is not just about Islam, any religion or ethical code will not
allow a human being wronged. Therefore, where there is no need for it, bringing
up religion unnecessarily is hardly needed. Yes, if there is a need, it must be
brought up. The current discussion and the passing of a resolution in the Sindh
Assembly against honour killings is related to Qisaas and Diyyat laws. The laws
have been looked into, as do the lacunas and loopholes that are allowing these
laws to be misused against unassuming victims of honour killings.
As writers,
journalists, media persons and activists, we have a responsibility, not just
towards others but towards ourselves – that we truly believe in what we
publish, and have researched it, and made sure that it is contextual.
Non-partisanship and objectivity are an aim, but in all honesty are myths when
it comes to presenting ideas. Our tilts need to at least have reasonable
limits, even if neutrality is not achieved.
Online
presence is an attractive whirlpool, and to have an online presence, we use the
most attractive concepts and catchy ideas at times, which is legitimate,
provided the idea or quotation or reference makes sense. Equally responsible is
the readership or viewership. When we become less discerning, we just
popularize certain concepts and ideas, for example Islam’s patriarchal tilt or
extremism these days. The rules of demand and supply fall into place, and media
persons continue to churn out predictable hits, albeit incontextual at times.
I ask not
for objectivity, for that can make a write-up both boring and ultimately doing
a disservice to causes that need advocacy. I ask, simply, for fair-mindedness.
I believe it is possible.
The views expressed by the writer and the reader
comments do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of The Express
Tribune.