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Iraqi-Kurdistan: Call for Internet
publication of Sex, Sharia and women in the history of
Islam
9.3.2006
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We condemn threats against
Kurdish writer's life Mariwan Halabjaye
This is a call for the Internet publication (and
eventual translation) of the book Sex, Sharia and
Women in the History of Islam by Marywan (sp.
Mariwan) Halabjaye (sp. Halabjayee, Halabjayi). The
book concerns how Islam is allegedly used to oppress
women. Halabjaye's book is based on an analysis of
the Qur'an as well as recognized Sunnah and Hadith.
"I wanted to prove how oppressed women are in Islam
and that they have no rights," says Halabjaye.
This call for Internet publication is based on the
belief that the best response to those who would
suppress publication of a book is to increase
publication, promotion and distribution of that
book. The most efficient way to do that is on the
Internet. This request is also based on the belief
that it would be a powerful and timely lesson if the
only thing accomplished by those who seek to
suppress publication of the book Sex, Sharia and
Women in the History of Islam is to cause it to be
published to the entire world. |
Mariwan Halabjayi |
The Islamic League of Kurdistan has issued a
"conditional" fatwa to kill Halabjaye if he does not
repent and apologize for writing the book. The
"conditional" nature of the fatal fatwa is uncertain
at best. Halabjaye reports that "a couple of weeks
ago in Halabja, the mullahs and scholars said if I
go to them and apologize they will give me 80 lashes
and then refer me to the fatwa committee to decide
if I am to be beheaded. They might forgive me, they
might not." As a result, Halabjaye is in hiding with
his pregnant wife and three children.
This request for Internet publication is also being
made, in part, because the Kurdistan Regional
Government (KRG) has not offered Halabjaye any
protection, much less arrested those who have
solicited his murder and made threats against his
life. "The Kurdish authorities have not provided any
protection from threats and fatwas," says Halabjaye,
"any moment I am expecting a bullet or a hand
grenade to be thrown into where I live." On the
contrary, in response to the Halabjaye affair the
KRG Minister of Religious Issues, Dr. Mohammad
Gaznayi, told protestors that, "we will give those
who attack our prophets a sentence so that they can
be a lesson for everyone."
Finally, the purpose of this call for Internet
publication is to support Halabjaye, and to thwart
those who would suppress publication of his book. As
a result, this call for Internet publication is
based on the assumption, and subject to the
condition, that Halabjaye will agree to such
publication. This request is made with respect for,
and without prejudice to, Halabjaye's copyright in
his book. We do not want to interfere with
Halabjaye's control over his work, or to deprive him
of either sales or income. Halabjaye may wish to
license his book for publication on the Internet
pursuant to a Creative Commons License. The decision
to publish his book on the Internet is his and his
alone.
Signatories at
PetitionOnline
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