Islam's continuing problem of violence

In a tragic case, a Muslim woman, Aasiya Hassan, was murdered and subsequently beheaded by her husband. Her crime? Filing for divorce!

Now, was this some wild-eyed terrorist type? Did he pose with his AK-47? Did he record himself saying 'Allahu Akbar'? No.

This couple had founded a TV network aimed at improving the image of Islam and Muslims in the US! Needless to say, that is not working out so well now.


As you might expect, this story has garnered a lot of attention in the press. Recently, though the 'tone' has changed. A recent AP article is an example.

The spin - violence against women is a problem that needs to be addressed. Sorry - completely wrong emphasis. Yes, violence against women is a big problem. But, let's be honest. Violence against women is when some schlub punches his wife because he is drunk and she is 'not listening'. When was the last time you read about an 'American' beheading his wife? Yah, me either.

Beheadings seem to be pretty much a Muslim thing. And, one should point out, not limited to wives who are divorcing you. Muslims really need to do some 21st century soul searching. The type the Catholic church had to do after the Inquisitions. The whole bloody Jihad against the infidel is pretty 7th century.

Islam struggles with a distinction between religion and politics. In the west, this is an established, respected idea. Everyone is free to have their religion. Your view of politics is informed by your faith. But, and this is the big deal, your politics operates outside the control of whatever religion (or lack there of) that you happen to practice. Moral issues like abortion cause heated debates - but this is the exception.

In Islam, as we see it practiced most places, EVERYTHING in politics is viewed through the prism of religion. They are two sides of the same coin.

So, I am not buying into the spin surrounding this article. Here we have a pissed off, though generally peaceful, man beheading his wife in the style set forth by his holy text. The other adherents to his faith try to distract us by moralizing about 'violence against women'.

The real issue that they need to be confronting - how are they going to move beyond the whole 'death to infidels' thing? It is a long journey from the 7th century to the 21st - time to start packing for the trip.