It’s that openness to being shaken in his beliefs that makes Lévy more appealing than many of his detractors.… Read the rest
All entries by this author
Anti-Wahhabist Journalist Killed in Dagestan 
Sep 4th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Alishayev was an editor at an Islamic tv station who made a documentary countering Wahhabism.… Read the rest
Julian Baggini on Free Speech and Mockery
Sep 4th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
While comedy speaking truth to power is funny, the powerful laughing at the weak is not.… Read the rest
They’re getting closer
Sep 3rd, 2008 7:29 pm | By Ophelia BensonSpare a thought for the unfortunate people of Yemen. They’re getting their very own Saudi-style virtue squad, which they didn’t even ask for and don’t actually very much want.
For many Yemenis, and for women in particular, this was another alarming sign of the growth of Salafi extremism — an unwelcome import from neighbouring Saudi Arabia where the “mutaween” religious police are part of the scenery. “These people scare the hell out of me,” complained Nadia al-Sakkaf, the editor of the Yemen Times.
Yeah they’d scare me too if they turned up where I live.
… Read the restThe first signs appeared a few months ago in the Red Sea port of Hodeida, where young men and women began to be accosted
Contentious Polygamy Law in Iran
Sep 3rd, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The proposed Family Support Bill would allow a man to marry a second wife without the permission of the first. … Read the rest
Iran Sentences Women’s Rights Activists
Sep 3rd, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Six months in prison for writing feminist articles on a website.… Read the rest
Emergence of ‘Morality Police’ in Yemen
Sep 3rd, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
A setback for women, already battling 70% illiteracy and one of the biggest gender gaps on earth.… Read the rest
Egyptian Women Describe Sexual Harassment
Sep 3rd, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘I get harassed 100 times a day. I tried everything to stop it but it doesn’t stop.’… Read the rest
Harper Collins Australia Apologizes for Offending
Sep 3rd, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Book teaches girls to play didgeridoo; some ‘indigenous leaders’ say this is taboo.… Read the rest
Bad decisions
Sep 2nd, 2008 3:22 pm | By Ophelia BensonLori Viars, a mother of two and evangelical Christian from Lebanon, Ohio, cheered the candidacy as well as the decision of both Palin women to keep their babies. “The whole family is pro-life, and they put that into practice even when it’s not easy,” Ms. Viars said.
It’s nothing to cheer. Palin is adamantly anti-abortion, so her daughter age 17 has to have an unplanned baby, has to be a mother years too early, and has to marry her high school boyfriend, which is a recipe for disaster. ‘Bristol’ Palin has to ruin her life because of inflated concerns about a fetus.
What’s up with ‘Bristol,’ anyway? Chelsea, Bristol – what’s their point? Is everybody … Read the rest
Treat Domestic Workers Fairly This Ramadan
Sep 2nd, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
HRW: employers of domestic workers in the ME and NA should consider the rights of domestic workers.… Read the rest
‘Abstinence Only’ and its Discontents
Sep 2nd, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The US has one of the worst annual rates of teenage pregnancies in the developed world. … Read the rest
Pakistan: Murdered Women Exhumed
Sep 2nd, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Only two found. Police have arrested six people, including some relatives of the women. … Read the rest
Telegraph on Women Buried Alive in Balochistan
Sep 2nd, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
No one has been arrested; human rights groups accuse local authorities of trying to cover up the murders.… Read the rest
Royal Berkshire Hospital on Bare Arms Policy
Sep 2nd, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The Trust Chaplain and Imam agree that the policy is an acceptable professional requirement.… Read the rest
Julian Baggini on Philosophy and the Art of Living
Sep 2nd, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Self-help promises more than it delivers. For philosophy to do better, it cannot afford to make the same mistake. … Read the rest
Obama Answers Science Debate Questions
Sep 1st, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The other fella hasn’t answered.… Read the rest
Balochistan Govt Twists Facts About Murders
Sep 1st, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Seen as a bid to save the perpetrator, said to be the younger brother of a PPP cabinet minister.… Read the rest
Pakistan Post Blasts Balochistan Senator
Sep 1st, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Defending barbarism in the name of tribal ‘justice’ is a crime in itself.… Read the rest
Literary Prize Blocks Random House
Sep 1st, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Random House has exhibited cowardly self-censorship so Langum Charitable Trust won’t consider its titles.… Read the rest
