A safe sanctuary for Afghan women

Ray Manhattan, Kansas — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 16:30:46 GMT

Thanks for this report. I watched the video. Well done, and I know this is the sort of subject that needs to be covered more and more all the time.

Theoretically, all Muslims are supposed to be under Sharia (Islamic religious law for Shia and Sunni). The more backwards economically the Muslim country is, the harsher the imposed Sharia law is, or at least it seems to be that way. In any event, what the Afghan women are going through is what women in other Muslim countries have already been through at one time or another. Turkey comes to mind as a country where women have really been "emancipated" from Sharia law as such. However, all the thanks goes to Mustafa Kemal (Ataturk) who founded modern Turkey and won full rights for women in that country, and would stand no interference from the religious authorities. What every Muslim country needs is a Mustafa Kemal to liberate its women from the horrors of the dark side of Sharia law. What we probably have now is a protest by Muslim women that will be allowed as long as there are some Americans around in Kabul, but that will be halted as soon as we leave. What Afghanistan needs is the Afghan version of Mustafa Kemal - someone who really knows how to liberate a country from antiquated laws that suppress women. In the end, it will have to be a liberated
Afghan man with a lot of power who will liberate Afghan women from the bondage that has been imposed upon them by a great many unliberated Afghan men. That man will have to work closely with a lot of Afghan women who have already managed to liberate themselves. Thanks again for paying attention to this problem.

A safe sanctuary for Afghan women

Lisa McNeil,Alpharetta,Georgia — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 16:38:02 GMT

Hi Richard, The report you did for Nightly News showed how horrible these women have been treated by the men. It is so very sad young daughters were forced to marry these men so much older and then be abused so much by them. It was heartwrenching to hear them speak about their lives and it was also heartwrenching to see the young woman cry about her missing sons. Simply horrible situation. I hope these women find peace in their lives and feel safe someday soon.
Excellent Reporting as Always Richard!
Please Stay Extra Safe Always!
Peace to You and To All!
Lisa