Comments on: The Missionary Position

By: Kafr al-Hanadwa

Kafr al-Hanadwa — Sun, 13 May 2007 15:45:05 +0000

[...] for Umm ad-Dunya to take its rightful place in producing a Courageous Reformist Arab Personality (CRAP)? Well, it’s about time. Nonie Darwish isn’t photogenic and lissome like Ayaan Hirsi [...]

By: Karridine

Karridine — Tue, 06 Jun 2006 14:53:53 +0000

“But are their claims unique and innovative, or are they mostly unremarkable? “

Your asking of this question seems to indicate that, despite the vehement anger coming from Muslims who didn’t want these claims made known to the k’ffir public, you want to convey the assertion that the claims are not accurate, observable or objectively verifiable, as remarkable as they are…

And you make no reference to the standards of male-female equality brought by The Glory of God, and how His fulfillment of Islamic holy prophecy and Hadith is changing our world…

But we don’t accuse YOU of not meeting the most basic standards of scholarship…

By: SP

SP — Mon, 05 Jun 2006 21:45:00 +0000

Just when you think that either the C.R.A.P or the conservative nuts have proved themselves to be the undisputed champions of idiocy, along comes something to show it’s still an open match:
http://www.chowk.com/show_article.cgi?aid=00006208&channel=gulberg&threshold=1&layout=0&order=0&start=90&end=99&page=1

By: Xan

Xan — Sun, 04 Jun 2006 19:54:30 +0000

I love As’ad as much as any heterosexual man does… But what I don’t understand is why complain about an article and a magazine that so obviously makes intellectual mince meat out of the haters.

I mean come on, complaining about a typo??

Shouldn’t we on the left join forces a little better about the real problems?

Cheers,

Xan

By: The Lounsbury

The Lounsbury — Sun, 04 Jun 2006 19:31:05 +0000

Issandr, listen mate, I ain’t saying I am not taking the bloody piece seriously, but when it comes right down to it, not too many people read or listen to The Nation and an arty there is easily written off as more Left tripe.

As more serious than The Financial Times on this issue, well given I have William Wallis as FT’s main social writer on MENA, I grant that. Nothing is perfect. Their recent series on Islamic finance makes it worth it, however (despite perhaps the most Stone Age internet presence of any major international paper. And I bloody pay for premium.).

As to Asaad, I just read his note and have to say bloody hell, he’s the fucking example of why Arab-writer whankers lose out to their foes. Too much fucking self pleasuring.

Sure, I gots me doubts about Manji’s death threats, but Hirsi Ali’s were real enough - and what is the fucking point of going after something like that when it only makes you, not them, look bad (unless you have the goods of course)?

Fucking whanking like that is what has worked so fucking brilliantly for the Palestinians for 40 fucking years, and Asaad merely proves old dogs just bark the same.

By: Issandr El Amrani

Issandr El Amrani — Sun, 04 Jun 2006 19:17:35 +0000

As’ad, mashi on the Nation on Arab issues, but it’s also a place where we can find Barbara Ehrenreich and other people who’ve done excellent work on non-Arab issues.

Lounsbury, don’t agree whatsoever about the Nation. I’m not sure who takes it seriously or not, but then considering the past few years should we be taking the NYT and WaPo seriously? And by the way, this article proves that on this issue The Nation is much more serious than your beloved FT, for example.

By: The Lounsbury

The Lounsbury — Sun, 04 Jun 2006 18:58:03 +0000

Well, The Nation is …. certainly not taken seriously outside of the hard Left. As a general matter, leaving aside Bou Khalil’s obsesssions.

Pity then the utility of the arty is decreased by the venue.

By: SP

SP — Sun, 04 Jun 2006 13:44:27 +0000

Excellent piece, thanks for sharing. What is the feminine form of an Uncle Tom - Aunt Thomasina? Brown Sahibas? Why doesn’t Bush advocate for women in other parts of the world, indeed. Social development indicators are worse for women in South Asia than in the Middle East, and we’ve got plenty of persistent patriarchy to go around.

Sadly, I think the Nation *is* considered about as far left as you can go in Amurrrca without falling into either looney or niche lefty territory (Socialist Worker, even Mother Jones).

By: As`ad AbuKhalil

As`ad AbuKhalil — Sun, 04 Jun 2006 07:15:06 +0000

The Nation also claims to be a progressive magazine but it is not when it comes to Arab, and on other issues. And you don’t want Jamal Al-Ghitani being called Kamal Chaitani.