ATSS Blog

While reading A Thousand Splendid Suns, I of course was revolted at the brutality aimed towards the physically weaker sex.  I, like many others, was aware that women were treated inhumanely in other parts of the world however I had never been taken into the life of an Afghan woman like I was in this novel.  While I was reading of Rasheed's beating on Mariam when he pounded her flesh like a piece of meat I felt almost physically ill.  Like Laila, I could not believe that a body could withstand so much beating and still function.  Of course I thought to myself, "How could some men believe that this was perfectly acceptable behavior?" and then it dawned on me that these men in their minds had formed an excellent excuse: religion.  In Afghanistan at the time of Mariam and Laila, the Taliban was attempting to bring the country back to it's traditional ways, while using the world of God as an excuse for their savage behavior.  So, I decided to learn a little about Islam myself.  I already knew that Muslims worship the same diety as Christians and Jews, but I wanted to learn more.  I attempted to look up "Islam" on the computer that I have been working on at the resort I am staying at, however interestingly enough I was flagged for searching this religion and so had to take my search elsewhere.  Unbelievable right?  Well I finally was able to read about the faith, and it's five pillars.  These include worshipping God and believing in Muhammad, giving alms, pilgrimage to Mecca, ritual prayer, and fasting during Ramadan.  I did not read anywhere that men must wear bears or be punished, or that women must be completely covered and may not work.  However, to keep women in the houses with the children, some very powerful men in Afghanistan have decided to cripple all females in the country.  They have done this by making them the property of their husbands, keeping them from educations, and forbiding them from working.  Even women who have been widowed and left with children may not seek an occupation.  The Taliban has said that this is God's creed, and many men of the country have whole heartedly accepted this.  I am aware that not long ago in U.S. history women were treated as the lesser sex, but I am appalled that Afghanistan has yet to move forward.  Indeed, they seem to be taking two steps forward and then three steps back.  The Taliban threaten and kill many girls who have begun to return to school in Afghanistan.  Domestic violence in Afghanistan is up 54%, and 60% of all marriages are forced.  Almost no laws protecting women are ever enforced.  This article was published in 2009 http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/aug/14/afghanistan-womens-rights-rape.  It is amazing that men in Afghanistan use their religion that calls for peace, as an excuse for violence.  This same scenario has been repeated throughout history involving the crusades, slavery, and the holocaust.  It is my sincere hope that the women of Afghanistan will find their feet, like Laila and Mariam, and fight back.