The American- and NATO-backed authorities in Afghanistan lifted a ban on women singer on television this week, causing some judicial consternation:
Afghanistan 's Supreme Court protested Wednesday at the lifting of a ban on women singers on state television, saying the move defied its decisions.
A broadcast Monday of a woman singing was seen as a victory for moderates in the U.S.-backed government of President Hamid Karzai over religious conservatives who oppose the relaxation of strict Islamic rules.
But this radical innovation apparently didn't last long. After two days, the prohibition was restored:
Last Monday, Kabul television transmitted an old video of Paraste, a well-known Afghan singer based in the West, in which the artist appeared without a veil. ...
The assistant head of the [Afghan] Supreme Court Fazl Ahmed Mawani explained his view that "the Court, in general, opposes women singing or dancing.
He also added that the prohibition is supported by the constitutional norm that establishes that no law can be contrary to Islam, and it does not permit women to sing, concluded Mawani.
I guess this means that the "Britney Spears in Kabul" concert special is still a while off yet.
Iraq, Mississippi, Afghanistan: I'm not trying to suggest a pattern here. I guess there might be some Republicans in this Administration that actually care about the rights of women in Muslim countries. But it would be rare.
No comments:
Post a Comment