Sharia Law in Somalia

[Uwila]

All I can really think right now is.... YIKES! Eloping is illegal? Two people want to get married and they are forbidden. What sense does this make?

Okay, am I biased in my Western way of thinking. Is this a good thing? Someone enlighten me.

Somalians learn to follow the Law

[Uwila]

Nobody has an opinion on this?

[paulaplumpbottom]

It must be really difficult for the people in Somalia. I mean think about it. Their choices are between being policed by gun weilding maniacs or a government that places loads of restrictions on everyday life. It may seems insane to us but after what they have put up with in the past, this must seem like a relief.

[Uwila]

But, that's just it. Do you think the women are relieved? Or do you think it's going to get worse for them and better for those in charge (presumably all men)?

[paulaplumpbottom]

I think they must be at least a little relieved, they can now walk down the street with their children in a reasonably safe enviroment. I don't know if things will get better for them or not. I hope so.

[Uwila]

I don't know. This part of the article really stood out for me:

"Jihad will mean more deaths. Why can't we use our brains to solve the political stalemate instead of fighting?" a female student recently had the temerity to ask UIC chairman Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed in a debate broadcast on the BBC Somali Service.

The 400-strong audience burst into applause before Mr Ahmed had a chance to respond.

Questions then flowed thick and fast from other women.

"Will you allow women to work in the media? Are you the Taleban?"

[HRHQueenOfQuotes]

Mind you the eloping one is interesting - because they're doing it to avoid paying dowry - which in a lot of African countries is still very much a big part of their culture - it's not just an Islamic thing and it's frowned on very greatly if the dowry isn't paid......or in my BIL's case only partly paid - BIL (not in Somalia) nearly ended any chances he had of marrying his fiancee by not paying the full amount agreed!! (he spent it on beer........)

[Uwila]

I don't know much about dowry. How does it work? But, I thought that the elopment was also to get away from the bride's father having to consent.

[speedymama]

"Dissenters argue that this authoritarian attitude is eating away at Somali culture and traditions, from dulling their dress code to muting their music".

This will be main issue that the Islamist will have to address. The Somalis have their own culture and traditions and if the hardliners intend to do away with this, then there will be a backlash. They have even banned music in taxis - what century do these people live in? Don't they believe in vibrancy and expression?

"Jihad will mean more deaths. Why can't we use our brains to solve the political stalemate instead of fighting?" a female student recently had the temerity to ask UIC chairman Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed in a debate broadcast on the BBC Somali Service".

IMO, the women need to start calling the shots and the neanderthal men should crawl back to their caves.

[HRHQueenOfQuotes]

It tends to have to be paid to the Brides family. And if the brides father doesn't particularly like his prospective son-in-law I've known that to set the dowry disproportinately (sp) high to try and put the man off!

Don't know all the ins and outs of Islamic rules on dowry and consent from brides family but I know in other countries if you decide to marry someone that your father/family doesn't want you to marry you'll almost certainly be 'going it alone' without the backing of your family - and seen as though many African countries still have a big 'extended family' ethos that can be quite hard.

Mind you not been many years since it was considered improper to marry your girl in the UK without asking her father first

[HRHQueenOfQuotes]

no they haven't banned music from taxis - the report says

"Loud music no longer blares from taxis: it has not been banned, but it is felt best not to test the waters."

So I presune that taxi drivers still play music in their cars - but just a little more quietly.....

[Uwila]

Interesting point, Speedy, about Somalian culture. I'm interested to know more. What is the religeous/cultural make-up of Somalia. Is it primarily Islamist (Uwila admits ignorange)? And is this dowry thing Islamist or trditional Somalian culture?

[paulaplumpbottom]

The article doesn't say whether or not this was a co-ed or all female university. It would be interesting to know. Surely it is a good sign that the young of Somalia support the views of this woman. I think that it means there is hope for them in the future.

[speedymama]

HRHQ, my apologies - I thought they had banned music in taxis.

Don't know much about Somali culture so would be interested to find out.

[speedymama]

I think the future looks hopeful too providing the women are allowed to work and study and that Somalis in general feel that they can genuinely express themselves without fear. I'd feel more hopeful for the women if Sharia Law was not adopted. It will be interesting to see what happens if a man and woman have a marital affair - my guess is that the man will get a rap on the knuckle whilst the woman will either be lashed or executed.

[Callisto]

It probably is the best of two choices but still a bad day for women. This relentless march of fundamental Islam is scary. The world is meant to become more enlightened not less.

[Uwila]

But, obviously they are not free to express themselves, or the loud taxi musicc would not have stopped. Whether there is an actual law or they are just afraid to test the water, they are not free.

I wonder if there is anything people like you and me could do to help the women. Perhaps fund an impoverished girl, prote education for girls, etc.

[Callisto]

You have to educate the men too or nothing will change.

[Uwila]

I meant like sponsoring a young girl so that she can have access to an education (esp. if this is no longer on offer for girls as it wasn't under Taleban rule in Afganistan). Access to education for all is essential.

[Callisto]

I would happily give money to educate girls (and boys) in Somalia but only if the education was secular.

[LadyTophamHatt]

OMG...I think I need new glasses.

I reda the title of this thread as "Shania Twain in Somalia" and thought it was about another celeb adopting a baby.

[Callisto]

[HRHQueenOfQuotes]

but Callisto - surely in such poor countries it doens't matter whether it's religious or secular education it's still important???

[Uwila]

PErhaps we could start a charity which would fund young women to go abroad and get university education in a country of their choosing. Okay, I'm dreaming because that's never going to be in my budget.

But, I could in a few years take a samalian in as an au pair if she could come to the UK on a astudent visa.... hmmmm.... But she would have to speak English.

[Uwila]

OTOH, Shania could afford this....

[Callisto]

HRH I think it does matter. A religious education will teach everything from a religious perspective and under Sharia Law this will include why Sharia Law is the only law and there is no other way etc etc. A secular education will teach freedom of choice and give children the ability to look at issues from various points of view.