Islamists Demand Women "Cover Up"
Malaysia - Sexy Attire disallowed in Kelantan. Egypt -Muslim Woman Gives Sex Advice on Arab TV
Women working in retail outlets and restaurants in Kelantan have been warned to mind their dressing or be prepared to face a fine.
The Kota Baru Municipal Council (MPKB) has announced that it would “no longer tolerate indecent dressing” by women, both Muslim and non-Muslim.
Public relations officer Mohd Azman Daham said that under local council by-laws women who “dressed sexily or indecently” could be fined up to RM500.
“Such outfits are prohibited here as it smears the reputation of Kota Baru and affects its status as an Islamic City,” he said in an interview.
He added that although punishment for indecent dressing was in place under the by-laws, it had not been totally enforced.
“But now, MPKB will no longer tolerate skimpy outfits, following mounting complaints from the public,” Mohd Azman said, adding that under the by-laws, women working in retail outlets should wear decent clothes.
Several women's organisations are up in arms over the decision of the Kota Baru Municipal Council (MPKB) to fine women working in retail outlets and restaurants who wear clothes deemed to be revealing.
The offending items include tight fitting blouses, pants, jeans and mini-skirts.
In 1990, PAS gained control of Kelantan state from then prime minister Mahathir Mohammad's UMNO party, and in Kota Baru Municipal Council (MPKB), Islamist laws were soon enacted. In 1996, the city council ordered that all supermarkets should have separate check-out lines for males and females, though this was loosely enforced. Additionally, unisex hair salons were banned, and thus many hair salons had their clientele halved.
Lipstick-wearing at work was banned, cinemas were ordered to keep lights on during performances (lest un-Islamic things went on in the dark) and women were ordered to wear the tudung (the Malaysian equivalent of the Hijab or Muslim headscarf), whilst at work. In 2000, 23 women were fined for not wearing this garment.
Laws on Islamic dress can only apply to Muslims, but this does not include images of Muslim or non-Muslim women with their heads uncovered. In May 2002, the head of Kota Baru Municipal Council, Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahman, ordered that images of women on advertising billboards should not show them without the tudung.
In 1992, PAS had introduced an order that asserted that in Kelantan state, all female models should be shown wearing the tudung. Rahman noted that by 2002 this ruling was not being followed. He announced that any advertisements showing women without headscarves would be ripped down. He said: "However, lately we have noticed some sections of the business community are not adhering to the requirement." He claimed he was acting to protect "the image of women in the state."
Once again, Kota Baru Municipal Council has decided to ensure that women's image in the state is protected, by imposing more restrictions upon the women themselves. And women's groups are not happy at this demeaning treatment.
Mohammad Azman Daham, who is public relations officer for the MPKB, said that under local council by-laws, any woman, Muslim or non-Muslim, who "dressed sexily or indecently" could be fined up to 500 ringgit ($140). It was announced by MPKB that it would "no longer tolerate indecent dressing".
Meanwhile, Fox News reported that Muslim Woman Gives Sex Advice on Arab TV.
Heba Kotb is a conservative Muslim, wears an Islamic head scarf, and goes on television once a week to talk _ frankly and in great detail _ about sex.
On her show, "Big Talk," Kotb answers questions from Muslims all over the Middle East about the most intimate bedroom issues with an openness that is shocking and revolutionary in a society where discussing the subject is taboo.
"How do I talk about these issues? Very seriously," the Egyptian sexologist says. "I put on a mask-like face and make sure I speak in the right tone of voice."
She also does it by talking about sex in an Islamic light, arguing that the faith is in favor of pleasure for both men and women, with one important caveat _ that it be only in the context of marriage.
"I'm very proud of my religion," Kotb told The Associated Press in an interview at Cairo University, where she teaches forensic medicine. "My studies revealed to me more and more how Islam was ahead in all sexual matters ... I discovered that Islam understood sex long before the rest of the world."
For example, Islam "stresses the importance of foreplay," Kotb said, and she often stresses to listeners that women should also enjoy sex.
She started "Big Talk" on the independent Egyptian satellite channel El-Mehwar more than two months ago.
Much of her advice is straight biology _ laying out facts rarely aired elsewhere. Nothing is too sensitive. She discusses sexual positions, female orgasm, oral sex (allowed, "since there is no religious text banning it"), even masturbation (frowned upon but at least preferable to unmarried or adulterous sex, which is "haram," meaning forbidden by religion).
She takes a strict Islamic line on homosexuality _ she calls it a disease.
Along with doctors, she sometimes brings Islamic clerics onto her show, and many callers ask about the religion's rulings on sexual issues.
Because Islam trumps all else on her show, some complain that it's part of a general inclination in the Middle East to view everything through the prism of religion.
"After Islamic banks, Islamic fashion, Islamic TV channels, Islamic hairdressers, Islamic swimsuits, Islamic writers ... now Islamic sex? This is too much," protested feminist writer Mona Helmi in a column in the Egyptian pro-government weekly Rose el-Youssef.
"Sex is an emotional and human condition, not a religious or identity issue," she said.
She gives sex education courses for unmarried youths with the consent of their parents, but in her consulting practice takes only married couples. She says she is booked up for two months with couples from across the Arab world.
"It's a beautiful thing what she is doing," said Abier El-Barbary, a psychotherapist and faculty member of American University in Cairo. "It's a long overdue topic tastefully done," she said.
Women's representatives have been infuriated by the latest enforcement of Muslim prudery. The executive director of Women's Aid Organisation (WAO), Ivy Josiah, called the ruling unacceptable and ridiculous. She said women were continually blamed for being raped or subjected to sexual harassment on account of the way they dressed, while men were never blamed for their predatory behavior.
She said: "I would like to know what is the (acceptable) level of tightness of a pair of pants or jeans, and what happens to those of us who have larger buttocks? Is the MPKB saying that we cannot wear pants or jeans as it will emphasise the buttocks?"
She said that the MPKB should stick to cleaning drains, managing parks, collecting garbage and providing child care centers.
The women's section chief of the MCA party, Dr Ng Yen Yen, was not amused. MCA (the Malaysian Chinese Association), is the second largest partner in a coalition with the ruling UMNO party. Dr Ng said: "If men wear tight fitting jeans, is that not deemed sexy? Why is it only the women are targeted, so much so that the ruling covers non-Muslim women as well?"
Maria Chin Abdullah, who is executive director of the Women's Development Collective wondered if the MPKB intended to impose rulings on decency to men who dressed in singlets and shorts, exposing their thighs, arms and armpits.
She said: "Firstly, are these gatal (lecherous) men intending to buy products or eat at the restaurants, or are they there to see how the women are dressed? If that is their purpose, then it is an insult to the mentality of Malaysian men."
Honey Tam, executive director of the All-Women's Action Society (Awam) said that forcing women to be the ones to be responsible in issues of morality is both discriminatory and a violation of women's rights.
Ms Tam said: "It is not the job of the council to become the 'moral police', and if it is concerned about the community it serves, it should encourage men and women to respect each other regardless of their dressing."
(Star "Outrage over fine for ‘revealing clothes")
China Says Use Toilet Before Take-Off To Save Fuel
A Chinese airline has calculated that it takes more than a litre of fuel to flush the toilet at 30,000 feet and is urging passengers to go to the bathroom before they board the plane.
Chinese airlines have come under pressure to cut fuel costs and their latest strategy is to encourage passengers, as a national newspaper puts it, "to spend their pennies before boarding the aircraft".
Another cost-saving technique the airlines are looking at is "to fill the water tank only 60 percent full".
Chinese airlines are estimated to be losing millions each year but we're not sure ow much "spending your pennies before boarding" will help.
(News Vault)
Malaysia Abdullah Ahmad Badawi Asia Islamists
Women working in retail outlets and restaurants in Kelantan have been warned to mind their dressing or be prepared to face a fine.
The Kota Baru Municipal Council (MPKB) has announced that it would “no longer tolerate indecent dressing” by women, both Muslim and non-Muslim.
Public relations officer Mohd Azman Daham said that under local council by-laws women who “dressed sexily or indecently” could be fined up to RM500.
“Such outfits are prohibited here as it smears the reputation of Kota Baru and affects its status as an Islamic City,” he said in an interview.
He added that although punishment for indecent dressing was in place under the by-laws, it had not been totally enforced.
“But now, MPKB will no longer tolerate skimpy outfits, following mounting complaints from the public,” Mohd Azman said, adding that under the by-laws, women working in retail outlets should wear decent clothes.
Several women's organisations are up in arms over the decision of the Kota Baru Municipal Council (MPKB) to fine women working in retail outlets and restaurants who wear clothes deemed to be revealing.
The offending items include tight fitting blouses, pants, jeans and mini-skirts.
In 1990, PAS gained control of Kelantan state from then prime minister Mahathir Mohammad's UMNO party, and in Kota Baru Municipal Council (MPKB), Islamist laws were soon enacted. In 1996, the city council ordered that all supermarkets should have separate check-out lines for males and females, though this was loosely enforced. Additionally, unisex hair salons were banned, and thus many hair salons had their clientele halved.
Lipstick-wearing at work was banned, cinemas were ordered to keep lights on during performances (lest un-Islamic things went on in the dark) and women were ordered to wear the tudung (the Malaysian equivalent of the Hijab or Muslim headscarf), whilst at work. In 2000, 23 women were fined for not wearing this garment.
Laws on Islamic dress can only apply to Muslims, but this does not include images of Muslim or non-Muslim women with their heads uncovered. In May 2002, the head of Kota Baru Municipal Council, Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahman, ordered that images of women on advertising billboards should not show them without the tudung.
In 1992, PAS had introduced an order that asserted that in Kelantan state, all female models should be shown wearing the tudung. Rahman noted that by 2002 this ruling was not being followed. He announced that any advertisements showing women without headscarves would be ripped down. He said: "However, lately we have noticed some sections of the business community are not adhering to the requirement." He claimed he was acting to protect "the image of women in the state."
Once again, Kota Baru Municipal Council has decided to ensure that women's image in the state is protected, by imposing more restrictions upon the women themselves. And women's groups are not happy at this demeaning treatment.
Mohammad Azman Daham, who is public relations officer for the MPKB, said that under local council by-laws, any woman, Muslim or non-Muslim, who "dressed sexily or indecently" could be fined up to 500 ringgit ($140). It was announced by MPKB that it would "no longer tolerate indecent dressing".
Meanwhile, Fox News reported that Muslim Woman Gives Sex Advice on Arab TV.
Heba Kotb is a conservative Muslim, wears an Islamic head scarf, and goes on television once a week to talk _ frankly and in great detail _ about sex.
On her show, "Big Talk," Kotb answers questions from Muslims all over the Middle East about the most intimate bedroom issues with an openness that is shocking and revolutionary in a society where discussing the subject is taboo.
"How do I talk about these issues? Very seriously," the Egyptian sexologist says. "I put on a mask-like face and make sure I speak in the right tone of voice."
She also does it by talking about sex in an Islamic light, arguing that the faith is in favor of pleasure for both men and women, with one important caveat _ that it be only in the context of marriage.
"I'm very proud of my religion," Kotb told The Associated Press in an interview at Cairo University, where she teaches forensic medicine. "My studies revealed to me more and more how Islam was ahead in all sexual matters ... I discovered that Islam understood sex long before the rest of the world."
For example, Islam "stresses the importance of foreplay," Kotb said, and she often stresses to listeners that women should also enjoy sex.
She started "Big Talk" on the independent Egyptian satellite channel El-Mehwar more than two months ago.
Much of her advice is straight biology _ laying out facts rarely aired elsewhere. Nothing is too sensitive. She discusses sexual positions, female orgasm, oral sex (allowed, "since there is no religious text banning it"), even masturbation (frowned upon but at least preferable to unmarried or adulterous sex, which is "haram," meaning forbidden by religion).
She takes a strict Islamic line on homosexuality _ she calls it a disease.
Along with doctors, she sometimes brings Islamic clerics onto her show, and many callers ask about the religion's rulings on sexual issues.
Because Islam trumps all else on her show, some complain that it's part of a general inclination in the Middle East to view everything through the prism of religion.
"After Islamic banks, Islamic fashion, Islamic TV channels, Islamic hairdressers, Islamic swimsuits, Islamic writers ... now Islamic sex? This is too much," protested feminist writer Mona Helmi in a column in the Egyptian pro-government weekly Rose el-Youssef.
"Sex is an emotional and human condition, not a religious or identity issue," she said.
She gives sex education courses for unmarried youths with the consent of their parents, but in her consulting practice takes only married couples. She says she is booked up for two months with couples from across the Arab world.
"It's a beautiful thing what she is doing," said Abier El-Barbary, a psychotherapist and faculty member of American University in Cairo. "It's a long overdue topic tastefully done," she said.
***********
Outrage over fine for ‘revealing clothes’Women's representatives have been infuriated by the latest enforcement of Muslim prudery. The executive director of Women's Aid Organisation (WAO), Ivy Josiah, called the ruling unacceptable and ridiculous. She said women were continually blamed for being raped or subjected to sexual harassment on account of the way they dressed, while men were never blamed for their predatory behavior.
She said: "I would like to know what is the (acceptable) level of tightness of a pair of pants or jeans, and what happens to those of us who have larger buttocks? Is the MPKB saying that we cannot wear pants or jeans as it will emphasise the buttocks?"
She said that the MPKB should stick to cleaning drains, managing parks, collecting garbage and providing child care centers.
The women's section chief of the MCA party, Dr Ng Yen Yen, was not amused. MCA (the Malaysian Chinese Association), is the second largest partner in a coalition with the ruling UMNO party. Dr Ng said: "If men wear tight fitting jeans, is that not deemed sexy? Why is it only the women are targeted, so much so that the ruling covers non-Muslim women as well?"
Maria Chin Abdullah, who is executive director of the Women's Development Collective wondered if the MPKB intended to impose rulings on decency to men who dressed in singlets and shorts, exposing their thighs, arms and armpits.
She said: "Firstly, are these gatal (lecherous) men intending to buy products or eat at the restaurants, or are they there to see how the women are dressed? If that is their purpose, then it is an insult to the mentality of Malaysian men."
Honey Tam, executive director of the All-Women's Action Society (Awam) said that forcing women to be the ones to be responsible in issues of morality is both discriminatory and a violation of women's rights.
Ms Tam said: "It is not the job of the council to become the 'moral police', and if it is concerned about the community it serves, it should encourage men and women to respect each other regardless of their dressing."
(Star "Outrage over fine for ‘revealing clothes")
China Says Use Toilet Before Take-Off To Save Fuel
A Chinese airline has calculated that it takes more than a litre of fuel to flush the toilet at 30,000 feet and is urging passengers to go to the bathroom before they board the plane.
Chinese airlines have come under pressure to cut fuel costs and their latest strategy is to encourage passengers, as a national newspaper puts it, "to spend their pennies before boarding the aircraft".
Another cost-saving technique the airlines are looking at is "to fill the water tank only 60 percent full".
Chinese airlines are estimated to be losing millions each year but we're not sure ow much "spending your pennies before boarding" will help.
(News Vault)
Malaysia Abdullah Ahmad Badawi Asia Islamists
Labels: Politic- Local and International
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