Sorry, I have to return a library book that day
Well…going down the list of speakers at the Global Peace and Unity Event, I find myself not at all eager to attend. I find myself thinking that it looks like an absolute nightmare.
More so than I would about a comparable Event packed with Catholic priests and bishops and scholars?
Yes, to be honest. More so.
Why?
Because most of them seem to represent a very very conservative form of Islam, or just plain Islamism, and I don’t want to live under Islam or Islamism, and I find it nightmarish that their kind of Islam and Islamism is so popular in the UK that it can draw 50 thousand people to an event of this kind. I hate and fear theocracy, and this Event is a More Theocracy Please Event. It creeps me out.
Well, looking over the list of speakers, I don’t think you need an excuse. The list is excuse enough. This is very troubling, to tell the truth. And just to add to a bad day, did you notice that Tony Blair’s sister in law, on a recent trip to Iran (of all places!), converted to Islam and now wears a niqab! Christ, what a mixed up family! (You can see the story on the Guradian front page.
Ok, I’ll bite. Where exactly are the women?
4 out of… around 40 speakers/artists? Look, I’m not one for hurrahing an arbitrary 50/50 split just for the sake of having a bunch of women pontificate about the nature of their super duper faith or their grand visions for it as it gains momentum; but I totally think someone could have done a little better with that speakers roster. Sure, there are some women artists in the art exhibit , but even there the speakers are all male.
If I’m to believe the drumbeat PR campaigns, interviews and speeches; women are highly active, involved and respected in the Islamic faith. Right? So. Where are they? I guess if they had included vocal women vocalizing about.. things.. they might have to admit that the conference is very conservative, has a specific agenda and does in fact represent the typical face of Islam in the UK. Creepy, intense blokes who have all the answers. And damn you world! You better listen, ’cause we WILL unify you, and then, there will be peace.
Ugh. Gross.
I’m beginning to think the most aggressive way to rid the world of such nonsensical “conferences” is to start w worldwide movement against indoctrination of children. Dawkins is right.
And Neturei Karta will be there, too. Just terrific.
PU, too many theologists to make me comfortable. Would it be surprising how the meeting will turn out?
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@Eric MacDonald
“Miss Booth, who works for Press TV, the English-language Iranian news channel…”
What do you expect? I am surprised that she’s not wearing a tent yet!
You want creepy? Check out their “marriage event,” and the conference’s associated “etiquette.” Here’s a nice sample:
Lolwut? As if the most obvious question would be whether a woman was compelled to uncover, rather than whether she was allowed to?