Iranian woman sentenced to death by stoning

[Klaatu]

Brazil Offers Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani Safe Haven, Asks Iran To Allow It

07/31/10 04:47 PM | AP

SAO PAULO — Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva offered on Saturday to provide refuge to a woman who has been sentenced to death in Iran following her conviction for committing adultery.

The case created an international outcry when Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani initially was sentenced to death by stoning. Iran withdrew that part of the sentence earlier this month, but the mother of two could still face execution by hanging.

During a campaign rally for his party's presidential candidate, Silva appealed to Iran's president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, "to allow Brazil to grant political asylum to this woman."

"If she is causing problems there, we will welcome her here," Silva added, according to Brazil's official news service, Agencia Brasil.

Silva's government has built closer relations with Tehran in recent years. Brazil worked with Turkey earlier this year to work out a proposal aimed at resolving Iran's dispute with the West over its nuclear program.

The plan called for Iran to exchange uranium for nuclear reactor fuel rods, but the proposal didn't meet U.N. Security Council demands that Iran halt its uranium enrichment. The Security Council approved a fourth round of sanctions on Iran in the dispute, and the United States and European Union later imposed their own additional sanctions.

The U.S. and its allies accuse Iran of using its civilian nuclear program as a cover for developing atomic weapons. Iran denies doing that, saying its program is intended for peaceful purposes such as electricity production.

source
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/0..._n_666374.html

[cska]

Didn't she murder her husband or something? Isn't murder punishable by death in many states in the U.S.?

[Sentinel]

Didn't she murder her husband or something? Isn't murder punishable by death in many states in the U.S.?

According to whom? The OP says that she was convicted for adultery, ie extra-marital sex.

[lucasstalin]

http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Cairo_...ights_in_Islam
Cairo Declaration on Human Rights -
Article 6
(a) Woman is equal to man in human dignity, and has rights to enjoy as well as duties to perform; she has her own civil entity and financial independence, and the right to retain her name and lineage. (b) The husband is responsible for the support and welfare of the family.
Article 24
All the rights and freedoms stipulated in this Declaration are subject to the Islamic Shari'ah.
Article 25
The Islamic Shari'ah is the only source of reference for the explanation or clarification to any of the articles of this Declaration.

Quran
004.034
Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has given the one more (strength) than the other, and because they support them from their means. Therefore the righteous women are devoutly obedient, and guard in (the husband's) absence what Allah would have them guard. As to those women on whose part ye fear disloyalty and ill-conduct, admonish them (first), (Next), refuse to share their beds, (And last) beat them (lightly); but if they return to obedience, seek not against them Means (of annoyance): For Allah is Most High, great (above you all).

Hadith
Book 031, Number 5966:
Abu Musa reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: There are many persons amongst men who are quite perfect but there are not perfect amongst women except Mary, daughter of 'Imran, Asiya wife of Pharaoh, and the excellence of 'A'isha as compared to women is that of Tharid over all other foods.

This is what I don't get. I understand the battle for the oppressed and equality, but how can we justify, islams sexist stance? If anyone can help me with this I would be most appreciative.

[9]

This is what I don't get. I understand the battle for the oppressed and equality, but how can we justify, islams sexist stance? If anyone can help me with this I would be most appreciative.

I think its somewhat naive to think that sexism is something unique to the Islamic scriptures or to Islam; it certainly isn't. For example:

Bereishit 3:16
To the woman He said, "I will greatly increase your sorrow and your pregnancy. You will give birth to children with pain. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will dominate you."

Also, Niddah.

And, at any rate, its basically idealism to assume that the severity of the oppression of women in some Islamic countries is a product of passages in the scriptures.
It isn't something I've done any kind of study of so I can't give you a detailed explanation, but I'm certain the answer is primarily in the material conditions, not in the Islamic scriptures.

[Widerstand]

I think its somewhat naive to think that sexism is something unique to the Islamic scriptures or to Islam; it certainly isn't. For example:

Bereishit 3:16
To the woman He said, "I will greatly increase your sorrow and your pregnancy. You will give birth to children with pain. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will dominate you."

Also, Niddah.

And, at any rate, its basically idealism to assume that the severity of the oppression of women in some Islamic countries is a product of passages in the scriptures.
It isn't something I've done any kind of study of so I can't give you a detailed explanation, but I'm certain the answer is primarily in the material conditions, not in the Islamic scriptures.

Yeah, this. Sexism exists in (almost?) all parts of the world, and a lot of religions and cultures have sexist traditions. The west has, partially due to enlightenment, and of course due to the feminist movement, abandoned some of it's institutionalized and religious-based sexism, but structural oppression still remains a major issue.

As far as I'm aware most of the Islamic world neither has (or had) a popular feminist movement, nor a secular movement comparable to the west.

Of course Islam serves to justify and reinforce these attitudes (as did/do other religions in other parts of the world), but it is hardly the cause.

[9]

Yeah, this. Sexism exists in (almost?) all parts of the world, and a lot of religions and cultures have sexist traditions. The west has, partially due to enlightenment, and of course due to the feminist movement, abandoned some of it's institutionalized and religious-based sexism, but structural oppression still remains a major issue.

I think its more because capitalism developed in "the West" first and more completely; the Enlightenment being the product of the bourgeois revolutions, i.e. capitalism's inception. The feminist movement being a product of capitalism. I think generally the oppression of women is most severe where remnants of an earlier mode of production are most intact.

Of course Islam serves to justify and reinforce these attitudes (as did/do other religions in other parts of the world), but it is hardly the cause.

Yeah, as you said, this is the primary role of all dominant religions, and all parts of the superstructure in general; to reinforce the rule of the ruling class.

[lucasstalin]

Thanks very much for the replies. I would like to point out, I never suggested that sexism is solely the work of islam. I was dragged up in a religious family and am fully aware of the bibles teachings on Patriarchy etc. I am not a fan of organised religion. However, I do dispute that other religions encourage such disparities to the extent of islam. For instance, the christian religions have made efforts to include female clergy.
Plus, correct me if I am wrong, no other religion promotes physical abuse between husband and wife, and is supported by a legal document as important as the Cairo Human Rights act.
I am sorry it is something I am struggling with, I have seen promotion of islam by left wing movements and authorities all over the world, but I personally find it hypocritical to associate with an organisation which is against some of my own core beliefs, i.e. equality for all, no religious dominance etc.