Salafist rebels imposing harsh interpretations of Sharia law on the locals is old news in northern Syria, where al-Qaeda factions rule large portions of the region. Their sway is growing elsewhere in the nation, however.
Now, a faction calling itself the Islamic Law Council of Deir Ezzor has issued a new statement demanding all women in their territory wear face veils at all times in public, threatening “punishment” to those who resist after Saturday.
The Islamic Law Council is a faction within the Islamic Front, the so-called moderate Islamist rebels. The group’s statement also claimed “sins are the main reason delaying victory” and promised to “prevent vice.”
Across much of rebel-held Syria, women are facing increasing severe restrictions on going out in public. This is a major change from the secular society Syria has been for decades .
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Yes, and in the 'free' part of the world, they are not allowed to wear them!
That is Ditz big news from behind his desk, e-"journalist"!
They will create another Taliban. There is no gender equality in Islam.
In my interactions with Muslims (I am Jewish), I am constantly hearing about how they want to bring peace and order to society and how the implementation of shari'a law is a good thing for everyone, Muslim and non-Muslim alike. My response has always been to put up or shut up- SHOW the world what a proper Islamic nation is supposed to look like and make their case with that as their example to follow. Until the world sees what you're asking them to submit to there's no way they're going to do it, so here's your chance.
Here's your opportunity, Islamic World- you have control over a large swath of territory, you have the civil and military power, you have the civilian population under control… now you can roll out that touted shari'a law and show the world what a proper Islamic nation looks like and how it operates in today's world. Now you can demonstrate the fairness and humanitarian aspects of Islamic law we have been dying to see.
Or is this going to be yet again another round of "Oh, those Muslims don't represent ALL of us- they're only a minority"? Where does the buck stop- who speaks for Islam?
I already know, from personal experience, that Islam is indeed one of the world's great religions and has an awful lot to offer society in or out of a religious context. Many of its teachings are simply continuations of laws laid down in the Torah. What remains to be seen, though, is how Islam is shown to others and how it is practiced- in peace beside those of other faiths, or hostile even to its own adherents? Sadly, so far all I'm seeing from Syria is the 'hostile even to its own adherents' part of the equation.