Wednesday, April 11, 2007

"... my face, which constitutes my identity.. "

The clear and vigourous voice of a woman asserting her equality before God and all is as yet a rare sound in Saudi society. And this voice in particular resonates with authority and conviction. It is the voice of Saudi TV Newscaster Buthayna Nasser as she confronts Saudi cleric Nasser Al-Huneini over Initiative to Prevent Women from Appearing on TV. On the same occasion she takes a swipe at Muslim indoctrination of the faithful. What a superb punchline!

Buthayna Nasser: Sir, when I appear on TV, and when I
claim my right to play a role in this professional field, I demand that my face,
which constitutes my identity, be seen. Under no circumstances am I prepared to
allow my identity to be obliterated.


Walid wondered how I, as a newscaster, can describe
Saudi society as being brainwashing. There is nothing to be surprising about,
Dr. Walid. From the age of six or seven, from elementary school until high
school, when we reach the age of 18, and even later, when we go to university -
we memorize, memorize, and memorize. Whoever dares to argue or to question
anything is called upon to ask for Allah's forgiveness. He is told that this
will get him into Hell. You, who frighten people with Hell, have brought them a
hell upon earth. You have banned books of the various intellectual streams.
You've prevented the mind from operating, thinking, comparing, and choosing,
even though it is the same mind that the Creator gave people in order to choose
between Paradise and Hell. Our Lord honored Man by giving him the freedom to
choose his path in this life, and the consequences are revealed in the world to
come. Deeds are measured by the intent, and, as the Great Teacher taught us,
good intentions steer our behavior. Yes sir, we are being brainwashed on a daily
basis, through schools, through the Koran memorization schools. We always demand
that these schools not be places of memorization, but for places for teaching,
for interpretation, and for learning the keys to the Arab language, which is the
secret to understanding the Koran and mysteries.
Enough memorizing like parrots.
Yes, we are all brainwashed, except for the few spared by God.

Here is the transcript (Hat Tip: EU Referendum)

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