kactus

True....but they both don’t size up to the power hungry Trump.

Well done to this irnian female skier for securing her place to Pyeonchang Olympics despite all the political adversities going on there right now.... https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/inpictures/iran-female-skier-blazes-trail-pyeongchang-180208102412038.html

So.... That’s my position against a table of UK political parties: According to this my affiliation is more alligned with Scottish National Party,. All three main parties in UK are placed in the right/authoritarian quadrant. It is interesting that conservatives are placed even more to the right of the quadrant than UKIP!

Economic: Left/Right: -1.13 Social: Libertarian/Authoritarian: 0.26 I guess that pretty sums up where my political affiliations lie.... I find the eay some of these questions are asked really stupid.

That pretty much sums up Donald Trump right now...

Very brave indeed and also add that this coincides with the centenary of suffragette movement.... There are essentially two political force that are challenging the conservative mullah establishment. Women and progressive intellectuals... Mullahs have long known about these forces which undermines their credibility. This is why even the more moderate parts of the establishment like the president Hassan Rouhani is atleast trying to show some empathy for these brave women by saying that their voice should be heard. However, in the grand scheme of things the power lies with Ali Khamenei the supreme leader. The issue is not about this piece of garment also called ‘manteau’ and ‘scarves’ inside Iran . The issue here underlies the dignity and the freedom of expression of these women which has been overlooked by the oppressive behaviour of the regime for the past four decades. Wearing the hijab has been one of the fundamental parts of the islamic rule since it came to power in Iran in 1978. It is very clear to me and anyone reading these articles that these women’s defiance of wearing this piece of garment may not be a direct challenge to the regime but preserving their feminism and women’s right. And there this underlies a bigger problem vis a vis the economy that are much harder to tackle. But for now freedom of expression and adhereing to democratic values are the order of the day....

If there is one thing the islamic revolution in Iran wanted to achieve it was to promote islamic values throughout Iran and export to to other countries. But it achieved exactly the opposite results within Iran. People are fed up with Islam and the mullahs to the extent that ix unheard of.... Whereas in the rest of the arab world people are becoming radicalised to the wahabist version of Islam people in Iran are turning their back to this religion thanks to mullahs....

Iran is a beautiful country with many potentials....Preferably mullah free....This was an ooportunity for Iran in 1953 by appointing Dr Mossadegh. But we all know where that ended up.... Ad the saying goes there are horses for courses. A mullah’s place is in the mosque not politics. Britain realised this by separating the church from politics or let’s say it reached a point that it became secular. The model worked well there. Not a perfect model for democracy but better than many countries in the world including the US.

Point of reference is the country not religion. Sadly, in Iran wearing this piece of garment is a matter of necessity as it is exercised by government by force. In Canada it is a matter of choice.

Frankly, you are talking to someone who loathes all religions and cults to a certain extent. They all have their short comings....What you said about JW's blood transfusion reminds me of scientology cults where 'silent birth' is prescribed to women! I guess this is where you can appropriately use your 'seat belt' analogy.... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silent_birth Back to the topic, whilst choice may not be the best option for women to wear this piece of garment (known as hijab) unfortunately that choice in a country like Iran today is a necessity. If a women in Iran does not comply with the rules about wearing of this piece of garment she will get arrested. It is not a choice - It is a necessity and yet many women defy them. Whilst your point for defying that choice in Canada is valid and admirable same cannot be applied collectively in a country that restricts choice...

The problem with these uprisings and protests is that it is lacking clear leadership and purpose to make a political change. In the past students and political activists have tried very hard to initiate reform through peaceful protests. Their protests were met with the brutal force of the conservative elements within the regime. It shows a tremendous level of bravery and courage for these women to come out in numbers and defy their rights by not wearing the head scarves. It it worth mentioning that the issue for not wearing this piece of garment is just a tip of the iceberg and underlies a much deeper issue within the country that will further undermine the legitimacy of the regime. Furthermore, these women are challenging the authorities with their lives if/ when they get arrested..... The issue of women's rights in Iran right now needs to be addressed with other pertinent political aspects that affects the daily lives (rising inflation/ unemployment) and needs to be orchestrated by IRANIANS in a structured and organised manner. Having said that, in the absence of any credible opposition directly challenging the regime what are the alternatives? The scenario can be even worse if MEK or MKO (a terrorist organisation) came to power. Most Iranians hate them for what they have done against Iranians and never shared any support for them. The US senators however have held meetings with their leader Maryam Rajavi in Albania: https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/senior-us-senators-meet-iranian-opposition-leader-in_us_598f68fae4b063e2ae058020 http://iran-interlink.org/wordpress/?p=8302 This is why the change for formulating a coherent strategy to directly challenge the Mullahs needs to be carried out with credible opposition that is popular for planning these uprising. The regime knows this fully well and that's why they manage the fight at every corner by censoring the social media and limiting access of people with other news sources....

Thanks for sharing your opinion. It is always good to see and refreshing what people's background is and the kind of experience they may have endured that will impact their value and belief system. This must have been a terrible experience for you to be born and raised in a high control cult! I can't imagine what kind of scars this must have left on you as a child but kudos for having been able to emancipate your body and mind from the past.... I do share your opinion about the garment and the purpose it serves for people in the society especially if people's life is at risk. My question was actually intended to understand if your prejudice is specifically designed against a certain religious groups (this applies to certain members on this forum) or is it part of a wider discussion which you have already clarified i.e. application to other groups/ sects like mormons, jehovas etc. It goes without saying that it is human nature to become defensive if I started speaking about garments of other religious beliefs like Sari for Indians or Kippot and shtreimel for jews without looking deeper for what purpose they serve. However, it is part of their culture and it is to be respected. Back to the topic, a lot of the factors/ generic questions you have raised here are debatable and depends on the individual's circumstances and experience IMO. I am not a scholar on this and have provided some basic answers based on my own understanding. I am sure people like Dialamah can articulate much more on this: What is the history of the dress? It dates back to the foundation of Islam. What is its purpose? To cover a woman's hair and body from strangers. (Men) What is its function? To protect a woman from harm. Is the dress code truly a part of the religion, or is it an extreme interpretation of it? Given that women from these countries wear them it is ingrained as part of their culture/ religion Is it enforced for just religious functions? Or is it enforced at all times? Depends on the country. Some muslim countries like Turkey have adopted a more moderate approach where women are free from not wearing them in public. In Iran it isn't just for religious functions. It is observed at all times when women are in public. Does it harm or does it benefit the wearer – physically, psychologically, emotionally, socially, etc? Depends....From the posts that you may have seen on this thread you can see that most women in Iran do not wish to wear them. If the garment’s purpose is to make a public statement of values, does that public statement agree or disagree with what the prevailing society’s values are? As above, in Iran the topic being discussed here the garment's value does not agree with the prevailing society's values in majority of cases. The government tried very hard to 'brainwash' women into wearing them but failed miserably. I do not believe this to be the same in many Arab countries and particularly in Pakistan where women strongly endorse Hijab regardless of the government. Does it harm or does it benefit society as a whole? This is subjective based on own personal beliefs, prejudices, etc. Personally, and I say this again I do not have anything against people who wear them as these garments is part of their culture belief system. I am only responsible for me and my loved ones and cannot exercise my preferences on others. Now, what is happening in Iran right now is unique. That's because more and more women are voicing their concern and dissatisfaction with wearing this piece of garment. This is the result of years of repression and women being forced to what to wear in public. That has not washed with many Iranian women and quite rightly so....If women on the streets of Iran had a choice between wearing this garment or walk free in public with their hairs fully exposed then that will negate the argument of the harmful effects of wearing these garments. The fact that these women cannot walk free is one of the reasons we are seeing these series of protests across Iran. However, the authorities in Iran have for years 'enforced practices' to crack down and arrest Iranian women who do not adhere with the dress code they have imposed on the society...And this is where as a male I find myself in agreement with these women and share your experience and sentiment. Where I find myself in slight disagreement with you is that here in the West people do 'have a choice'. Women of other religions can wear a piece of garment for their religious ceremony or belief system or not to wear it if they wish to do so . I believe it is not prescriptive for us to apply one principal for all and decide who should wear what. Of course people can be educated about the harmful effects (if there are physiological scars) of wearing them but ultimately it is their choice. No rotten tomatoes from me

I am not asking for right or wrong answer....People can make whatever presupposition by my question here they want. Frankly, I don't care.... I am asking your opinion. Hence, I asked the question.

Exactlimo! Same can be said for Nazi Germany and their culprit Christian pals in Bosnia and elsewhere killing the jews....

Back to the topic discussed here.... I think any change in so far as democracy comes from within vis a vis Iran. There has been many occassions if this uprisings most notably the green movement in 2009 when protesters took to the streets to dispute the election of Ahmadinejhad and call for more political freedom. Some even asked for removal of Khamenei as the supreme leader, which is unprecedented It took Europe 500 years during middle ages before democracy flourished. I believe this will also happen in Iran at a much shorter time scale. Democracy is not something that can be exported nor by installing puppet governments in those countries that only serve our own interests for short term gains. The best West can do is to stop meddling in Iran’s affairs (if oil interests does not get in the way) and put pressure on the regime IMHO.

Ofcourse I want to discuss that’s why I asked the question. Not sure what you mean by personal attack.... It’s funny you question me about personal attack by asking you a direct question yet you are the one who approve DOP’s comment about me beating the wife. That sounds a lot more like a personal attack!

Just a question is it just the islamic dress code or do you have a problem with dress codes of other religions in Canada too?

I don’t think anyone is opposing that view but I also agree with citizen that it is a matter of choice. It is not prescriptive but a choice.

The unfortunate thing is that social media in the countey is restricted by the apparatus of the regime. Fortunately women and younger generations making 65% of the population have the means to access different news outlets

I am really struggling to understand what anyone here has against these brave women in Iran who are fighting the oppression and want to be free from headscarves? Surely, if they want to adapt it that is a good thing.

Those are brave women indeed in defiance of rigid rules set by the theocratic regime. They ate risking their lives to earn the freedom they deserve.

I have no idea what you are on about...What is your point?

Oh there’s plenty to whine about 1953.... But that’s another discussion and nothing to do with this this thread.

This rabbi has a different perspective on calling Jerusalem as the capital city of the “jewish people”. IMHO bold political statements by evangelical extremists taken out of context from the bible by thinking that ‘the return of messiah’ to the holy land shapes the mindset of certain people. In reality, this is the driving force for this political agenda and the root cause of the problem and it serves no purpose for judaism... The rabbi in the video has a valid argument.

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