MyDD :: Obama's Muslim liaison: Your to-do list

Obama's Muslim liaison: Your to-do list

by kosnomore, Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 02:06:22 PM EST

Sources say (and the campaign confirms) that the Obama campaign has created a Muslim liaison position.

Rumor says it will be Haim Nawas, a Jordanian-American quoted as saying: "We need to recognise that the social structure in the Muslim world is very different from America's. American women need to understand that what is best for them is not necessarily what is best for Muslim women. Advocacy of women's rights in the Muslim world must show sensitivity to local political realities."

http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0 708/Obama_campaign_hires_Muslim_liaison. html?showall

Forced, arranged marriages.

Honor killing for dating (not sex, but dating).

Genital mutilation.

Polygamy.

Little or no education.

No personal, political or economic freedom, rights or autonomy (not even driver's licenses).

Absolute deference to men in all spheres.

No separation of church and state.

Which (if any) of the foregoing is "best for Muslim women"? Which (if any) of the foregoing deserve our "sensitivity"?

Obama needs a Muslim liaison. But he needs one who will call out the medievalism, not defer to it.

P.S. - I'll say it real slow. This is not a critique of Obama. It is a call for a Muslim liaison who will speak truth to power.

Further P.S. - Most of the sexist excesses of the Muslim world have no basis in the Koran. Muslim sexists wrongfully twist the Koran to justify enslaving and exploiting women.

Tags: Barack Obama, Muslim (all tags)

Permalink :: 29 Comments :: Post a Comment

Muslim women have rights. (none / 0)

Don't excuse their betrayal.

John McCain says he would stay in Iraq for 100 years? That's crazy talk!

by kosnomore on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 02:07:15 PM EST

this may seem like a nitpick (2.00 / 1)

But it's not. While I agree with your disgust over "Genital mutilation", criticising "No separation of church and state" runs dangerously close to cultural imperialism.

I don't claim to understand islamic culture (in any way shape or form), but I can't agree that it must be remade in a Western image.

by Neef on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 02:29:04 PM EST

SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE (2.00 / 1)

would be nice for a CHANGE.

Talk to me about blue laws. Talk to me about a culture that decides that weekends must occur on Saturdays and Sundays.

The list goes on, but please don't throw stones.

His head is bowed. He thinks of men and kings. Yea, when the sick world cries, how can he sleep?

by RisingTide on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 03:20:31 PM EST
[ Parent ]

The point is (none / 0)

"separation of church and state" has nothing to do with the treatment of women. It's an arbitrary cultural criticism, divorced from the thrust of the article.

As far as Sat and Sun being the weekend who really cares? How fringe can you get?

by Neef on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 03:28:36 PM EST
[ Parent ]

You are culturally ignorant (none / 0)

In Islam, the holy day is Friday.

otherwise, you're making decent points.

(where in the world did you get your screenname? it's weird!)

His head is bowed. He thinks of men and kings. Yea, when the sick world cries, how can he sleep?

by RisingTide on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 03:38:54 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I'll agree on the cultural ignorance (2.00 / 2)

If that's the bar. I never knew about Friday.

My screenname is actually my nickname in RL. My name is difficult for many to pronounce ("Haniff"), so rather than bear "Hitachi", "Heiny" and "Henry" (I wish I was kidding), I offer an easy alternative =).

by Neef on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 04:04:54 PM EST
[ Parent ]

mojo for learning! (none / 0)

... somehow it looked Arabic to me... figure it's because we're on this subject!

His head is bowed. He thinks of men and kings. Yea, when the sick world cries, how can he sleep?

by RisingTide on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 04:35:02 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's Muslim liaison: Your to-do list (none / 0)

Clunk!

Obama/Adam West or Bruce Campbell or Lucy Lawless '08

by Purple with Green Stipes and Pink Polka Dots Dem on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 02:35:36 PM EST

Re: Obama's Muslim liaison: Your to-do list (2.00 / 1)

Huh. Are you sure Ms. Nawas isn't just refering to the wearing of the hijab? It was the first thing that popped into my head before your list.

I mean that's a lot of specific meaning you're taking from such a small statement.

We should be able to deliver bottled hot water to dehydrated babies.

by Jess81 on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 02:38:59 PM EST

Re: Obama's Muslim liaison: Your to-do list (2.00 / 2)

Because - just to follow this up - what you're describing takes place in the Sudan and the Arabain countries. Jordan is kind of cosmopolitan. And West Bank universities are co-ed.

We should be able to deliver bottled hot water to dehydrated babies.

by Jess81 on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 02:40:55 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's Muslim liaison: Your to-do list (2.00 / 3)

Didn't you get the memo? The game that is played around here is that we take a statement from someone associated with Obama, interpret it in the worst possible light, and then apply that interpretation to Obama and his policies.

You're making the mistake of actually trying to understand what Nawas was saying with her quote. The fact that she is speaking of political realities from firsthand experience doesn't mean anything... she obviously wants the very worst elements of honor killing, polygamy, genital mutilation, and forced marriages for women around the world.

And so, may evil beware and may good dress warmly and eat lots of fresh vegetables.

by thatpurplestuff on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 02:48:10 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's Muslim liaison: Your to-do list (none / 0)

This a a good point and I think that it goes to the heart of the matter in our (U.S.) understanding of Muslims and the Muslim religion . We (and I am painting with a broad brush) tend to look at Muslim in monolithic terms. A muslim is a muslim is a muslim. We fail to see like Christianity there are all varieties and sects. There are deeply devout followers and there more liberal followers.

Until we are willing to gain this understanding our foreign policy in the region will always be faulty, as well as, how we view muslims within our own country.

Faced with the choice between changing one's mind and proving that there is no need to do so, almost everyone gets busy on the proof.

by jsfox on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 02:54:36 PM EST
[ Parent ]

liberal followers can be just as devout (2.00 / 2)

but you knew that.

His head is bowed. He thinks of men and kings. Yea, when the sick world cries, how can he sleep?

by RisingTide on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 03:21:25 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's Muslim liaison: Your to-do list (2.00 / 1)

I agree that we shouldn't even think about accommodating the worst of Muslim sexism. We should continuously work to bring Muslim attitudes towards women out of the 14th century.

You say this is not an Obama hit piece, however it follows a familiar pattern. You are playing the old guilt by association game here. This diary is typical of that attack method. Jump on Obama for something someone else said. On top of that, it is only a rumor that this person will be named as the liaison.

You may be trying to get more subtle with your anti-Obama stance, but you still have some work to do.

"The true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good." Samuel Johnson

by MS01 Indie on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 02:47:16 PM EST

You say this is not an Obama hit piece (2.00 / 1)

If the name on the diary is kosnomore, it's a hit piece on Obama, the feeble attempts to hide it notwitstanding.

Is Obama supposed to be for, or merely indifferent to, the practices and prejudices listed?

by Beren on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 04:19:21 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: You say this is not an Obama hit piece (2.00 / 1)

No, Obama is supposed to be participating in those practices. Didn't you see that picture of him in his Muslim doctor getup? He had just come from a genital mutilation ceremony.

That's snark for those who are a little slow on the uptake.

"The true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good." Samuel Johnson

by MS01 Indie on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 04:23:03 PM EST
[ Parent ]

That's snark for those who are a little slow (2.00 / 1)

A sane person's snark is a McPuma's gospel.

by Beren on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 06:53:12 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Wow (1.50 / 2)

When Kosnomore hears "Muslim" s/he thinks honor killing, polygamy, and genital mutilation.

by JJE on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 02:47:33 PM EST

No, my point - explicitly stated - (none / 0)

is that it is NOT in the Koran, but in the mind of those who cover their own corruption by twisting holy scripture, just like corrupt folks in all cultures.
And, as a progressive, do you approve of / tolerate honor killing, polygamy, and genital mutilation? Or, are you just looking for a fight?
Sorry, I don't want to play.

John McCain says he would stay in Iraq for 100 years? That's crazy talk!

by kosnomore on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 03:09:23 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: No, my point - explicitly stated - (2.00 / 2)

I think the main point was the fact that you extrapolated all of those horrific things from the quote by Nawas shows either a very negative image of Muslims in general, or a deliberate attempt to smear Obama in any way you can (in this case by guilt through association).

And so, may evil beware and may good dress warmly and eat lots of fresh vegetables.

by thatpurplestuff on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 03:14:17 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Kosnomore's smears. (none / 0)

Jerome actually put this guy on the front page the other day.

John McCain: He flunked ECON 101.

by Shem on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 06:30:01 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Does that bother you? (none / 0)

Sorry.

John McCain says he would stay in Iraq for 100 years? That's crazy talk!

by kosnomore on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 10:03:12 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: No, my point - explicitly stated - (2.00 / 1)

But what on earth does Nawas quote have to do with honor killings and genital mutilation? You say you're not looking for a fight, but there must be SOME reason that you're assuming that part of your audience approves of that, which is ridiculous.

Are you aware that in Jordan, women are allowed to drive? Wear pants? Own property? Marry who they want?

We should be able to deliver bottled hot water to dehydrated babies.

by Jess81 on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 03:15:56 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I didn't say Koran (2.00 / 1)

I said Muslim. Nawas referred generally to Muslim cultural practices and you proceeded to list a parade of horribles most commonly found in the most virulent anti-Muslim screeds.

by JJE on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 03:19:41 PM EST
[ Parent ]

And by using muslim (2.00 / 1)

person associates cultural attitudes with faith.

His head is bowed. He thinks of men and kings. Yea, when the sick world cries, how can he sleep?

by RisingTide on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 03:22:40 PM EST
[ Parent ]

MUSLIMS DRINK FERMENTED MARE'S MILK (2.00 / 1)

MILK!!!

... yes, some do. Islam is a very big religion.

His head is bowed. He thinks of men and kings. Yea, when the sick world cries, how can he sleep?

by RisingTide on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 03:23:22 PM EST

Re: Obama's Muslim liaison: Your to-do list (none / 0)

Ha! Sometimes the U.S. getting involved in the Muslim world actually makes things worse. Take Egypt for example: this country was becoming quite "modern" in the 60's. Women were working and becoming more independent, but there was a strong cultural backlash against all things Western and the country became much more nationalistic and extremist. Since the government was perceived as too friendly with the U.S. women suffered in the long run.

The U.S. should not aid repressive regimes but nor should be start wars or try to overthrow the governments where we disagree. Haven't we learned our lesson?

by Lolis on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 07:30:52 PM EST

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