Turkey: End Legal Action Against Gay Rights Group

Turkey: End Legal Action Against Gay Rights Group

Attempt to Close Lambda Istanbul Endangers Basic Freedoms
A legal challenge by the governor of Istanbul seeking to close down Lambda Istanbul, a gay rights organization, threatens basic freedoms of association and expression, Human Rights Watch said today.

October 16, 2007 Press Release

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From the Columbia Spectator (Columbia University)

Speaker Addresses Challenges of Being Gay and Muslim

By Julie Appel

PUBLISHED OCTOBER 19, 2007

Nearly 200 people gathered in Roone Arledge Auditorium on Wednesday night to a speech given by Faisal Alam, founder of Al- Fatiha, a group that provides support and resources to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, and queer members of the Islamic faith.

The talk and subsequent question-and-answer session, sponsored by Queer Awareness Month and the Organization of Pakistani Students, among others, covered a wide range of topics from Alam’s experience as a gay Muslim to the portrayal of Muslims in the media post Sept. 11.

While the Muslim Students Association chose not to co-sponsor the event on the grounds that it cannot speak for its constituents on a religious issue, it did help publicize the event by putting up flyers and sending out a message to all members of the group.

“They [MSA] handled it marvelously, and it speaks very highly of them that they want to represent their faith as truly as possible,” said Joseph Daniels, CC ’09, one of the organizers of this event and a member of the QUAM board.

“I needed to somehow integrate my sexuality with my faith, and I knew I couldn’t pick one over the other,” said Alam. “I promised myself and God that I would never let what happened to me happen to anyone else ever again in our community.”

Members of the QUAM board said the event was integral to one of the primary aims of this year’s QUAM—reaching out to a wide range of campus groups.

“We made it our singular goal to reach out and form relationships with student groups and departments with which we had not previously worked,” said Daniels.
One of the main topics covered in Alam’s talk was his struggle of bringing together his sexuality and his faith.

“Homosexuality does not exist in Islam,” he said. “As I began to realize that they were talking to me, this was where the conflict between my sexuality and faith began to take place.”

He also emphasized the surprised reaction he gets from many people when they hear about Al-Fatiha.

“When you think of Islam and Muslims you probably don’t think of gay Muslims,” he said. “I still have people coming up to me that are just astounded that there is an organization that exists for LGBT and queer Muslims.”

Alam noted that the Pakistani Students Association was the first South Asian group that had cosponsored an event at which he had spoken. “That’s really, really exciting that those connections are being made, and it’s also exciting that a lot of the Muslim students on campus are here today,” Alam said.

He ended the speech by stressing the importance of hope for those struggling to reconcile their sexuality and their faith.

“We have to live the change, and then go a step further. We have to begin to change the communities we belong to,” he said. “That is the only way that I believe that social change can happen in this world and that we can begin to see a world that is filled with equality and liberation.”

While the event was reminiscent of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s comments on homosexuality in Iran—in which he denied that homosexuality existed in the country—Amal’s visit was planned before the president was invited to campus.

“It’s funny that an offhand remark that is really not significant in terms of anything is giving this [event] publicity,” said Cyrus Ebnesajjad, CC ’09 and one of the event’s organizers.

Julie Appel can be reached at julie.appel@columbiaspectator.com.

Honour crime fear of Syria women

No woman can feel safe unless the law is changed, activists says

Honour crime fear of Syria women

By Lina Sinjab
BBC News, Damascus

Seventeen-year-old Bushra is too scared to give her real name. She talks in a low, trembling voice, her face full of fear.

"They want to shed my blood, they want to kill me," she says, as she recounts how she escaped being murdered by members of her own family in a so-called "honour killing".

A Sunni Muslim, she had fallen in love with Fadel, from Syria's Alawite Muslim minority. He went to her family to ask for her hand in marriage, but he was rejected.

The family said Bushra must marry her cousin. But on their wedding day, she ran away with the man she loved and family members began to hunt her down, to "erase the dishonour" she had caused.

Bushra's story is not an exceptional one in Syria, where women's organisations estimate more than 200 women are murdered every year by brothers, cousins or fathers.

But she is one of the lucky ones. Bushra was arrested after her family reported her to the police, and taken into custody.

The juvenile centre where now lives gives her some protection, but her freedom of movement is severely limited.

'Rehabilitation'

The Syrian authorities are trying to crack down on the practice of "honour killing", and they have widespread support.

About 10,000 people have signed a petition calling for an end to the practice, in a campaign backed by senior Muslim officials.

Although Bushra has been in contact with the family, her eldest sister told her not to come back unless she married her cousin.

"She said: 'Even if you do (get married), hide for two or three months until things calm down. But don't come now, the family will definitely kill you'," Bushra tells me.

So she waits at the centre run by the National Organisation for the Development of Women (NODW) and the interior ministry, whose aim is to rehabilitate the girls and get them ready for a new life.

Many of them are serving sentences for vagrancy, prostitution, begging or running away.

But when they leave, they are still at risk, as the case of 16-year-old Zahra al-Ezzo tragically showed.

Zahra was kidnapped and raped by a family friend. The family reported the incident to the police and three days later the kidnapper, Taiseer Muhanna, was arrested and Zahra was freed.

He was sent into jail and she was brought to the juvenile centre, where she remained for 10 months until her family had her released after arranging that she marry her cousin.

One month later, Zahra's brother Fayez paid the young couple a visit. On the third morning of his stay, he murdered her while she was asleep.

"Zahra was a victim at the beginning and a victim at the end," says NODW head Rania al-Jabiri.

Her organisation is campaigning along with other groups for a change in the law. They have prepared a draft law which has been passed to parliament.

"We cannot do everything. We need the whole society with us to change this idea. It takes time and a change in mentality," she says.

It is an issue for all communities - Christian, Muslim and Druze - says Daed Musa, a lawyer and women's rights activist

"The laws are old and go back to the 1940s. No woman can feel safe under the current legislation."

Murders considered to have been in defence of honour are not considered a "crime" under Syrian law, but an "offence". It carries a maximum penalty of a year's imprisonment, but could be reduced to a month by a judge.

Some families entrust the task of erasing dishonour to a juvenile, further reducing the penalty.

Cultural change

After Zahra's death, the NODW renewed the campaign, circulating the petition and mobilising religious clerics to denounce the killing.

Syria's top Sunni cleric, Grand Mufti Sheikh Ahmad Hassoun, rejects any suggestion that "honour crime" is sanctioned by Islam.

He explains that Islamic law requires four witnesses for the crime of adultery - an almost impossibly high burden of proof, which means in effect that no-one can be found guilty of it.

The mufti believes, however, that the starting point should be in education and tolerance especially with religious preachers.

"It is difficult to change laws that people are used to it and considered it as Sharia. In many cases, it is traditions rather than laws," he says.

"What we need is to educate people and spread awareness among the society. The problem is when you have people preaching at mosques and don't have a profound knowledge on Islam."

No women can be protected of an act of killing unless legal changes are introduced. This will take political will to actually happen. Until then, women in Syria will still be at risk.

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/middle_east/7042249.stm

An Eye for Muslim Style

An eye for Muslim style
By Carolyn Kissoon

Saturday, October 13th 2007


Zuryda Edoo
Photos: Dave Persad

By Carolyn Kissoon

Saturday, October 13th 2007

Whether its attending a religious function or simply going to the beach, practicing Muslims are supposed to be fully dressed.

And Zuryda Edoo knows that very well.

She has travelled to more than a dozen countries seeking the latest trends in Muslim wear for local women.

With few stores catering to the Muslim woman, Edoo decided to open her own establishment - Sakina's along Todd Street, San Fernando.

A practicing Muslim, Edoo spends a lot of time studying the scriptures and attending religious functions. "I am very absorbed in Islam and I am preparing to attend Hajj this year," she said.

Coming from a family deeply involved in business, Edoo has support and advice from all corners.

A mother of two, Edoo said she has spent many sleepless nights researching the latest fashions in Muslim garb. She has attended seminars in Turkey, Egypt, India and Pakistan on oriental clothing.

"I cater for the Muslim women, mainly in South Trinidad. I provide them with a variety of clothing which would suit any age. I do a lot of research and I try to source material which is suitable for Trinidad's climate," she said.

Although demand peaks only during the month of Ramadhan, Edoo offers a wide range of shalwars, bridal wear, topees and hijabs throughout the year.

"It is known that Muslim men and women are supposed to be fully clothed, so I offer the full range of items at all times," she said.

But there is one piece of clothing which has caught the attention of women across the country - swimwear for Muslim women.

Edoo explained that for many years Muslim women have been shying away from the beaches. "Many women don't go to the beach because they don't feel comfortable in the clothing they have to wear. The conventional beach attire does not suit the Muslim woman's style and practices," she said.

Edoo, who lives in San Fernando, said she learned about the swimsuits during one of her trpis to Turkey last year. "It was launched in Turkey last year, so we are getting the latest trends in Trinidad," she said.

Edoo said Muslim women no longer have to steer clear of the beaches, they now have appropriate clothing which will not only cover their bodies but protect them from the sunlight.

"These suits were tested and the material is ideal for water. The water runs off quickly and it protects you from ultraviolet light. Women no longer have to wear old dresses and track pants to go to the beach," she said.

The swimwear, which is made of nylon, come in all designs - some with hijabs, long pants, long sleeves and others without the headpiece and sleeveless.

"There are many men who would not want their women to be seen in conventional swimsuits, so now they have a choice," she said.

Edoo said the customers have already

started rolling in. "Many women did not know about the swimwear. They are now hearing and coming to have a look. They are interested in the styles. Many men have come in to buy for their wives," she said.

Edoo said she believe the swimwear would create a new lifestyle for Muslim families. "They can now go to the beach without having to think about what to wear. Other women who love the beach can now look nice, feel nice and don't have to hide behind anyone," she said.

Edoo said customers can also place orders which would be sent to India and made to their likeness. Orders are filled within six to eight weeks. "We try to meet the demand of our customers. We invite them to tell us what they want so we can source it and satisfy them," she said.

When she is not busy in her store or travelling in search of new styles, Edoo spends her time tending to her garden and reading on the history of Islam. "I am a very spiritual person and I try to impart a little of my knowledge to everyone I meet," she said.

Veiled Monologues

Lifting the veil

A Dutch playwright inspired by 'Vagina Monologues' looks at sexuality a Dutch playwright

By Stacey Kors, Globe Correspondent | October 12, 2007

LENOX - While performing in the Dutch version of Eve Ensler's popular play "The Vagina Monologues," Adelheid Roosen was struck with an idea for her next theater project. "After the third time I did it," she says, "I thought, why doesn't this exist for the [Muslim] woman? This is a wonderful concept for knowing more about her way of loving, her intuition, her instinct, and her sensuality."

Roosen, a celebrated actress, playwright, and director, is known in the Netherlands for her cultural quests. She's traveled the world to study other cultures for her work, and she founded the first female Moroccan theater group in Holland. But a liberal white Dutch woman questioning Muslim women about a subject as intimate as their sexuality - women often from deeply religious societies where females may be oppressed and even concealed from public view - would seem a trickier proposition, especially in the post-9/11 world of strained relations between Islam and the West.

Yet there's something about Roosen's energy and attitude, and her obvious regard for other cultures and values, that seems to have transcended such concerns. As she crisscrossed Holland in 2002, interviewing 70 women of all ages from countries including Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Kuwait, Pakistan, Morocco, Turkey, Iran, and Iraq, "doors went open immediately," says the tall, expressive 49-year-old, "and so much more wide open than the Dutch do. You go to the kitchen and they cook you food, they make tea . . . you could really live the whole day with them. I had tremendous, beautiful conversations."

Out of these conversations came "The Veiled Monologues," which receives its New England premiere at the American Repertory Theatre Tuesday through Oct. 21. A powerful and often surprising look at Muslim women's sex uality and sexual identity, "The Veiled Monologues" has already been performed in three languages since its 2003 premiere and has been staged everywhere from a large theater festival in Ankara to a private gathering in Jordan, a Turkish mosque, and the Hague, in front of the Dutch Parliament.

The play's success lies in its accessible approach to taboo topics. With a couch as the main set piece and the suggestive sounds of a Turkish saz in the background, three Dutch actresses of Muslim upbringing sing, dance, and share stories: humorous recollections of sexual foibles, delicate struggles of young girls anguished over keeping their virginity, disturbing tales of domestic abuse. As one performer speaks, the others sit or recline on the couch, listening and murmuring responses to one another as well as to the audience. The scenario invites the audience, in a sense, to sit on the couch with them, to participate in these very personal experiences.

Another key to the work's appeal is that the monologues are told in a frank yet nonjudgmental fashion, maintaining respect for the Islamic faith and cultural traditions that engendered them. Steering clear of black-and-white morality, as well as the gray areas of politics, "The Veiled Monologues" works to change audiences' perceptions - and misperceptions - by temporarily lifting the veil on complex emotions and beliefs often hidden from the non-Muslim world. The result is a rare glimpse into the kind of strong communities of women that have privately flourished in male-dominated cultures.

Roosen and the cast spent two weeks in August workshopping the play at Shakespeare and Company in Lenox before taking it to New York for its US and English-language debut, in repertory with Roosen's play "Is.Man" at St. Ann's Warehouse.

Sitting in Shakespeare and Company's cafe area before the final workshop of the play, a highly animated Roosen tucks her feet up onto her chair and leans forward intently as she speaks.

"In the book I did of the monologues," Roosen explains, "I wrote a sentence by the Austrian playwright Peter Handke that says, 'The strange woman was so beautiful that I recognized her.' I love the contradiction in this." Roosen springs up from her seat and gesticulates emphatically to punctuate her points. "I thought, yeah, that's what's living in my heart. There is something in people where what is strange you reject, and what is familiar you open the door for immediately. And so what I try to communicate is that when you are curious and interested and not so judgmental, you can see beyond the burka, and see something else which is beautiful in the [Muslim] world."

While audiences may learn about the sexual and cultural identities of Muslim women through watching "The Veiled Monologues," the play's performers say they have discovered much about themselves through sharing the stories.

"We talk so much together about how it is to be a woman in our cultures, Islamic and Christian," says Oya Campelle, who was raised in Istanbul but moved to Holland 30 years ago at the age of 21 to marry a Dutch man. "We discovered that we have so much in common, as women, with each other. And taking the play to America, we've had women come up to us and say, 'I've had similar experiences, I've also had problems in my culture with some of these things, like virginity.' I've also learned how to speak openly about my own sexuality and my sensuality."

Nazmiye Oral is also of Turkish descent but was born and raised in Holland. Like Campelle, she married a Dutch man, but she found herself in the midst of a divorce in her early 30s, about the same time she became involved with "The Veiled Monologues." With Roosen's encouragement, Oral wrote the play's final monologue, "My Golden Sea," about trying to reignite the sensual spark in her relationship - a monologue she performs herself.

"Emotionally it was one of the hardest ones for me to get across," she says, "because writing about something is vulnerable, but with acting you have to show, you have to give, you have to be, which is even more vulnerable."

In presenting her monologue and others, Oral says she rediscovered her capacity for giving, which felt inaccessible to her in the aftermath of her divorce.

"Doing 'The Veiled Monologues,' " I learned that I had a big desire to give - because I think that's one of the beautiful things about humanity, to be able to give. What I'm learning now is to receive, which is almost as important as giving," she says. "You get a lot from the audience. It's nice to realize that everybody's going through the same things. We all know the feelings of inadequacy, longing for love and not having it, not knowing how to be a woman, losing your man - whatever. We all have questions and fears. We're human, and we want to exchange."