Islam 'is not, and never has been, open-minded toward women'

Editor:

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I read with interest Humma Hassan's Jan. 13 guest column, "Governments; not Islam, are at fault." Her assessment is disingenuous, as Islam is not only a religion, it is a way of life that blends religion, politics and culture.

In many Islamic countries, women are not permitted to drive cars. In a court trial, a woman's testimony is worth only half that of a man. Consequently, she must be accompanied by another woman to refresh her memory if she forgets some pertinent detail. If a woman is raped, Heaven forbid, she must produce four witnesses on her behalf to prove she is not a common "sharmoota" (Arabic for prostitute.) Unfortunately, any witnesses produced would most likely be the very ones who violated her.

Islam is not, and never has been, open-minded toward women. Any degree of open-mindedness depends on how strictly Islam is practiced in any particular Islamic country.

Compare women's rights under the Shah of Iran, who was very liberal, with women's rights under Ayatolla Khomeini, who enforced Sharia law.

Roger Eden, Grovetown