Ramadan, Eidfest and a unification of cultures

My experience of Muslim celebrations

Last week I attended the Brisbane city celebration of Eidfest; a festival for Muslims and Non-Muslims to come together to celebrate the end of the fasting month of Ramadan. Throughout the day I experienced the vibrancy of many varied countries that practice Islam, their fantastic culinary spread and the beauty and individuality of countries such as Turkey, Singapore, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Indonesia. Moreover I was able to listen to a 'talk time' period with four academics who study in areas from law to Islamic faith, as they discussed the operation of Sharia law in Islam and how this works within our culture and other western cultures. The discussion focused around the enforcement of Sharia law whether it can be condoned in our present day world and how on the spectrum of interpretation, Sharia law is practiced in the various countries that hold the Islamic faith.

Amongst the enjoyment of the day, enjoyment of two major cultures coming together with a tolerant and celebratory atmosphere, this major topic was discussed. One question posed to the academics asked, in a scenario where a person steals, under Sharia law, is it legitimate that that person has their hand cut off?

The responses varied in support of Sharia law, mostly accepting its major purpose of enforcing a system of law and justice whereby people become too afraid to commit any crime, effectively severely punishing one person to ,in the long run, save lives of thousands that could be safe from crime. This is essentially the basis of our crime and punishment system that ensures the public understands the consequences of a crime. The argument throughout the Eidfest event, however, looks at how Sharia law is interpreted to its literal meaning, resulting in severe punishments of bodily harm and death.

We listened to the discussion amongst the academics and the audience as they explained the idea of Sharia law being 'watered down' in certain countries or cultures that practice Islam, in an effort to make the law's more acceptable perhaps in our modern day world. An argument was made that in the 'stealing scenario' the man’s hands being cut off may not be the literal meaning of the law. Perhaps the hands represent a man’s desire to steal, and by reprimanding him for his crimes, severely and publicly enough that he and others know not to attempt to steal again.  The knife that would cut the hands could thereby be compared to the strict Sharia laws being tough enough to instil fear amongst the masses.

As a counter argument, one man of Islamic faith and knowledge posed the question "if a system of law has been affective for many years, interpreted as its literal meaning, why 'water it down' for it to become acceptable to other cultures?" Essentially both arguments advocate for the safety of the many thousands of people that live in the countries that practice Islam and Sharia law. The argument this man makes is that by enforcing a law so severe it guarantees no man or woman would dare commit a crime that would be deemed punishable at this strict level.

I can see clear correlations between the way our two societies work, both in aspects of law systems and in aspects of life as many from each culture strive for personal happiness, contentment, and peace. It was incredibly insightful to see the wide variety of countries that practice Islam, their individual merits and the way in which their religion and law is interpreted and practiced. Following this event I found a news story that highlights the severity of punishment in Afghanistan inflicted under the Taliban regime, it created a very real scenario that forced me to think heavily on the discussion I had heard that day at Eidfest.

The horrific account of oppressed life in Afghanistan did force me to reassess my understanding of Sharia law. Throughout the article below both international forces and Afghanistan government condemn the killings as a clear "disregard for the sanctity of human life." I cannot claim to have nearly enough knowledge or understanding around the topic but I would encourage, even implore, others to do as myself and when hearing these news stories, seek the clarification of the law or oppressive regimes these people are living under. From our home ground visiting a festival such as Eid, need not be tainted by a lack of understanding and perhaps we can consciously work to nurture that connections able to be made between our two cultures. My need for knowledge around this issue is underlined and motivated by my overriding hope for unity and tolerance.

Nine MSN: World

04:16 AEST Tue Aug 28 2012

1 day 8 hours 10 minutes ago

Mamoon Durrani

Taliban behead 17 at Afghan party

"Taliban insurgents have beheaded 17 civilians, including two women, who were holding a party with music in a southern Afghanistan village, officials say.

The atrocity drew immediate condemnation from the commander of NATO's military force in Afghanistan, the United Nations, the US and Britain.

"I can confirm that this is the work of the Taliban," the Helmand provincial governor's spokesman, Daud Ahmadi, told AFP, referring to Islamists notorious during their rule for public executions and the suppression of music and parties.

"Two women and 15 men were beheaded. They were partying with music in an area under the control of the Taliban," he said.

Nematullah Khan, the Musa Qala district chief, confirmed that the villagers had organised a party with music, and one local official said he suspected the two women had been dancing.

Secret parties with dancing women from a gypsy-type tribe are common across southern Afghanistan.

During their 1996-2001 rule in Afghanistan the Taliban, now waging a fierce insurgency against the NATO-backed government of President Hamid Karzai, also tried to stop the mixing of men and women who were not related.

"This callous act clearly demonstrates the insurgents' willingness to stop at nothing in terrorising civilians," said General John Allen, commander of NATO'S International Security Assistance Force.

He pledged the assistance of NATO troops "to help bring these criminals to swift and sure justice", while the US embassy in Kabul condemned the killings as "a shameful act".

The UN mission in Afghanistan said: "This criminal act is unjustifiable and totally disregards the sanctity of human life.

"UNAMA has repeatedly stated that the killing of civilians is a clear violation of international humanitarian and human rights laws and has called for the perpetrators of such reprehensible acts to be brought to justice."

Britain, too, joined in condemning the killings "in the strongest terms".

Foreign Office Minister Alistair Burt said: "I am appalled at the cruel killing of 17 people at a party... The facts are still being established but early indications are that the Taliban were responsible."

The insurgents have in the past been blamed for beheading local villagers, mostly over charges of spying for Afghan and US-led NATO forces.

Hours after the beheadings, Taliban insurgents overran an Afghan army post in the same province in a pre-dawn attack on Monday, killing 10 troopers, authorities said.

Provincial spokesman Ahmadi said the attack was an "insider plot" in which some army soldiers helped the rebels attack the post.

If it is confirmed that the attack was facilitated by soldiers, it will mark a new escalation in a string of insider attacks on Afghan and NATO security forces.

Two NATO soldiers were killed on Monday when an Afghan army soldier turned his weapon against them in a "green-on-blue" attack in eastern Laghman province, the US-led International Security Assistance Force said."

(DURRANI, MAMOON
NINEMSN: WORLD
AUGUST 28TH 2012)