Yes, there is a nugget of truth in this farce, and we have to acknowledge what is accurate about this address of Ahmadinejad (while our Catholic faith tells the rest of the story):
"The role played by women (in our society) is unique and exclusive and cannot be exchanged," Ahmadinejad said, addressing a conference dubbed 'Lady of Insightfulness' in Tehran on Monday, on the threshold of the national 'Women's (and Mothers') Day.' He stressed the necessity for turning Iran into a role model in economic, social and cultural fields, and added that women play a significant role in Iran's move towards this goal.
"For this attainable dream to come true, the top role and responsibility once again lies on the shoulders of Iran's cultivated, courageous and courage-nurturing women," Ahmadinejad said.
He also blasted the West for mistreating women, saying that capitalist system is damaging the "reality and essence of women".
We have to admit that commercialism built on women's bodies is vile. Think of all the ads for unrelated items which depend on feminine flesh, which is nothing new:
And yet hiding women in mounds of fabric as temptresses and unworthy of active participation in normal life is not the answer, indeed it is a parody of the western vulgar view of women.
Let's review the Islamic texts:
Omar [one of the Khalifs] was once talking when his wife interjected, so he said to her: 'You are a toy, if you are needed we will call you' (Al-Musanaf, Vol. 1. Part 2, p. 263).
Narrated Usama bin Zaid: The Prophet said, "After me I have not left any affliction more harmful to men than women" (Bukhari 7:62:33)
For if a man purchases a slave girl, the purchase contract includes his right to have sex with her (Abd ar-Rahman al-Gaziri, al-Fiqh 'ala al-Mazahib al-Arba'a).
Muhammed said: "Tell the men with you who have wives: never trust a woman" (Ishaq: 584).
Narrated Usama bin Zaid: The Prophet said, "After me I have not left any affliction more harmful to men than women" (Bukhari 7:62:33).
If a woman offered one of her breasts to be cooked and the other to be roasted, she still will fall short of fulfilling her obligations to her husband. And besides that if she disobeys her husband even for a twinkling of an eye, she would be thrown in the lowest part of Hell, except she repents and turns back (Tuffaha, Ahmad Zaky, Al-Mar'ah wal- Islam, Dar al-Kitab al-Lubnan).
[Muhammad said] "A believing woman is the same among women as a white-footed raven among the ravens. Fire has been created for the senseless, and women are the most senseless of all" (Kanz al-'ummal, 22:11).
I think you get the idea. So what does the Islamic view offer women? Motherhood, but sadly a one-dimensional type that is strictly physical, bearing courageous children who will further the Umma -- with the daughters being worth precisely half of each son, and always subject to control by the men in their lives where Muhammed is honoured. No room for spiritual motherhood, creativity, freedom, complementarity or even fundamental equality with men. They are tilth to be plowed according to the desires of their husbands (cf. Quran 2:223) -- which is just as one-dimensional as pin-up girls and sexual toys.
Believing women must understand that they are the answer to both extremes. We must live our vocations in a prudent, mindful way that speaks of the dignity of women, that honours the dignity of men, and reminds the world that together thy build a civilisation of love and mutual respect.
When it comes to setting women free from every kind of exploitation and domination, the Gospel contains an ever relevant message which goes back to the attitude of Jesus Christ himself. Transcending the established norms of his own culture, Jesus treated women with openness, respect, acceptance and tenderness. In this way he honoured the dignity which women have always possessed according to God's plan and in his love.
I am convinced that the secret of making speedy progress in achieving full respect for women and their identity involves more than simply the condemnation of discrimination and injustices, necessary though this may be. Such respect must first and foremost be won through an effective and intelligent campaign for the promotion of women, concentrating on all areas of women's life and beginning with a universal recognition of the dignity of women. Our ability to recognize this dignity, in spite of historical conditioning, comes from the use of reason itself, which is able to understand the law of God written in the heart of every human being (Blessed John Paul II, Letter to Women).
Comments