BF2S Forums Christian women being forced to wear headscarves in Iraq.

GunSlinger OIF II wrote:

depends cam.  My experience with Iraqis has led me to believe that the majority want to live secular, modern lifestyles.  Bought plenty of liquor from vendors, saw the most beautiful women in the world wearing sexy clothing and make up, nothing covering up.  I used to get a kick out of the fact at some checkpoints that I would used to man, on thursdays and fridays (their weekend) I would find more alcohol and cooking equipment and meat than I would the rest of the week.  Iraqis are no different than you or I.  They would even slide me a couple of beers if I asked.  But, again, my experiences were in baghdad for the most part, which is not a good representation of the rural areas of Iraq.  In taji,  it was much more farming, many more hillbillies and women all clad in black carrying shit on their heads or working the fields.  only 27 kilometers north of a ver modern, secular city.

That is the view I had in my mind of Iraq, as my doctor worked there for over 10 years (in Baghdad) and we've had chats about it whenever I call in for a happy pill prescription or other ailment. He spoke of Iraq (80s Iraq) as though it was very modern, good standard of living, women in professions, etc. It seemed to be idyllic as far as the middle east goes apart from the brutal oppression(!) of dissenters and favouritism towards Sunnis. But recent reports I've read describe the likes of Basra as some mini-warzone for competing interests with a strong Islamic flavour and very pro-Iran.

Last edited by CameronPoe (2007-12-10 12:31:12)

CameronPoe wrote:

GunSlinger OIF II wrote:

depends cam.  My experience with Iraqis has led me to believe that the majority want to live secular, modern lifestyles.  Bought plenty of liquor from vendors, saw the most beautiful women in the world wearing sexy clothing and make up, nothing covering up.  I used to get a kick out of the fact at some checkpoints that I would used to man, on thursdays and fridays (their weekend) I would find more alcohol and cooking equipment and meat than I would the rest of the week.  Iraqis are no different than you or I.  They would even slide me a couple of beers if I asked.  But, again, my experiences were in baghdad for the most part, which is not a good representation of the rural areas of Iraq.  In taji,  it was much more farming, many more hillbillies and women all clad in black carrying shit on their heads or working the fields.  only 27 kilometers north of a ver modern, secular city.

That is the view I had in my mind of Iraq, as my doctor worked there for over 10 years (in Baghdad) and we've had chats about it whenever I call in for a happy pill prescription or other ailment. He spoke of Iraq (80s Iraq) as though it was very modern, good standard of living, women in professions, etc. It seemed to be idyllic as far as the middle east goes apart from the brutal oppression(!) of dissenters and favouritism towards Sunnis. But recent reports I've read describe the likes of Basra as some mini-warzone for competing interests with a strong Islamic flavour and very pro-Iran.

those that ran the show when the Brits were there left and poorer, uneducated religious folk have started vying for political power.  Sadr is losing a lot his influence, especially over the poorest of his supporters.  Id guess that Sadr's only major area of support would be sadr city.  For the most part, the amount of militia in the mahdi's has kept any major combat operation in that part of baghad from happening because of the amount of collateral damage that will follow.  Ive gone through sadr city a few times and each time there was either a pop shot or a stray RPG.  A lot of shiites in Iraq have begun feeling resentful towards sadr, especially since he likes to choose his battles in very holy shiite monuments and landmarks.

Last edited by GunSlinger OIF II (2007-12-10 12:47:00)

Alot of good point's, bad point's and some outright ridiculous ones have been posted, but i'l just say that, I'm in agreement that we both should not and can not attempt to alter core parts of a thousand year old culture as none of us have the right to, and I understand the concept of "When in rome, do as the roman's do"  HOWEVER, the threat of death for having to abide by a dress code that is not from your own beliefs or culture regardless of living in said situation, is untolerable to me personaly as a outsider and observer.
As a regulation or religious law, that is all well and good, but imposing such things (as well as being oppressive to women in ways) through threats of violence from local militia and extremists deserves some form of foreign attenion as this is not in league with the level we as humans in a civilised society treat one another as well as being understanding, humanitarian and compassionate toward your fellow wo/man as Islam teaches.

I could do a number of the situation with Militias in Africa, Darfar and the Congo in particular but that's a whole other bathpark, still the outline remains the same, local militias enforcing cultural traditions through violence and death threats requires foreign attention, the level of intervention nessacary however I believe is subject to the threat toward our individual homelands or the issue at the source.

Open to feedback

Last edited by XanKrieger (2007-12-10 16:19:13)