Ending oppression in the Middle East: A Muslim feminist call to arms

[ismnotwasm]

3. It's been a common reaction

From Islamic women activists. I've read many articles, from either side side; and while I'm sympathetic to FEMEN, I'm can't deny the underlying racism--although FEMEN sees it as anti-religious oppression. I also can't deny the belittling response of FEMEN to Islamic women who ARE feminists and activists in their own right.

There was a recent article FEMEN throwing water on a Catholic bishop, (which is of course assault), so while their characterization of Muslim men and women is ignorant, their anti-religion message stays consistent.

Topless activists of the protest movement FEMEN took aim at the Catholic Church on Tuesday, drenching Belgian archbishop André-Jozef Léonard during a debate in Brussels, Belgium

Four FEMEN members entered an auditorium at the ULB university in the Belgian capital, holding signs that said "Stop Homophobia" and "Anus Dei Is Coming." Flemish newspaper De Standaard reports that Léonard was participating in a debate on blasphemy and freedom of speech when the bare-chested protesters poured water over his head.

"This was aimed against Mr. Léonard's homophobia, but we also don't agree with other positions, like the one on abortion," one of the activists told news agency BELGA.

In an interview with Le Soir at the end of March, Léonard had said that gays should spend their lives celibate. The archbishop defined homosexuality as "a given that people find in themselves and whose origins remain somewhat mysterious."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/24/topless-femen-protest-andre-jozef-leonard_n_3146609.html


Outside of this group I will not discuss the activities of FEMEN on DU. Again, it's an area where it's not worth my time to get involved in 'debates' which consist of one strawman after another.

What concerns me is the profound ignorance of Islam, coupled with no apparent desire to see another's point of view, and the deep disrespect that arises from that ignorance.

I'm not religious; I understand that many people are and don't condone racist, sexist, or homophobic thought or activity. These are people worth listening to, even if I don't understand the feeling or security of faith.