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Comment by archaeopteryx on Wednesday

Afghan students protest women's rights decree

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Hard-line Islamist students protested Wednesday in the Afghan capital demanding the repeal of a presidential decree for women's rights that they say is un-Islamic. It was the latest sign of a backlash against the legal protections passed in the 12 years since the toppling of the Taliban regime known for its harsh treatment of women.
The protest came days after conservative lawmakers' vehement opposition blocked an attempt to cement the decree's provisions in legislation.
Most of international force that ousted the Taliban is now preparing to withdraw by the end of next year, and activists fear an erosion of the women's rights will follow if hard-liners pressure the elected government.
More than 200 male students protested in front of Kabul University on Wednesday against the decree on Elimination of Violence Against Women, which includes a ban on child marriage and forced marriage, makes domestic violence a crime and says rape victims cannot be prosecuted for adultery. It also outlaws "ba'ad," a traditional practice of exchanging women or girls to settle disputes or debts.

Comment by Dream on May 15, 2013 at 3:59pm

@Marvel not terribly. I was just pleasantly surprised and I hope that person keeps thinking and doesn't just close off their mind.

Comment by Marvel on May 14, 2013 at 9:43pm

@Dream " there are more atheists or people questioning religion in Egypt than I thought. One even close to me to my surprise."

That would be a very interesting story :))

Comment by archaeopteryx on May 14, 2013 at 6:09am

Comment by Dream on May 13, 2013 at 4:25pm

Hey guys :) wow it's been a long time since I have been on here xD
I just wanted to say that (and you may already know this) there are more atheists or people questioning religion in Egypt than I thought. One even close to me to my surprise.
We may not be huge in number but condsidering that there was a time I didn't even think non-believers existed, it is still mindblowing to me.

Comment by Mohamed Zaki on May 11, 2013 at 4:17pm

okay baher added correctly this time :)

Comment by Marvel on May 10, 2013 at 3:38am

Comment by archaeopteryx on May 10, 2013 at 3:25am

I know, and while you might have reason to think, "He's American, on the other side of the world, what does he care?" - the truth is, I worry about you guys a lot.

I'd pray for you, but we'd BOTH get a good laugh out of that!

Comment by Marvel on May 10, 2013 at 2:39am

Thx @arch .. the dangers atheists are facing in the islamic world are enormous .. either in Morocco or in Bangladesh .. it's getting more aggressive.

Comment by archaeopteryx on May 9, 2013 at 11:28am

This is something I just received from the Secular Coalition of America, that some of you might find worth pursuing - meanwhile, let's all fall to our knees, face Disneyland, and praise Mickey:

International Imad Day on May 15 --  Atheist activist Imad Eddin Habib, 22, has been in hiding for weeks as Moroccan police search for him on potential charges of creating the “Council of ex-Muslims of Morocco”, and stating: “there is no God but Mickey Mouse.” Those close to the case believe Habib's life is in danger and he has gone into hiding.  International Imad Day will take place on May 15, organizers are asking supporters to:

• Post a photo of themselves on The Council of Ex-Muslims of Morocco’s Facebook page or email it to exmuslimcouncil@gmail.com to do for you with a message very much like Imad’s proclaiming his atheism (you can see the photo in the links above). It would raise the profile of his case if well known personalities and others posted photos of themselves with messages of support.
• Click “like” on the Council of Ex-Muslims of Morocco’s Facebook page
• Tweeting, writing letters of protest to the Moroccan embassies and so on.

The Secular Coalition has requested a meeting with the Moroccan Ambassador, here in DC to discuss this matter and we are waiting for a response.

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