Not even a former PM of Pakistan is free from Arabist sexism. Disgraceful.
Former Pakistani leader barred access to mosque’s men’s sanctuary
BROWNSVILLE, Texas — A visit to South Texas by former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto on Friday ignited a debate about her access to a male Muslim sanctuary.
Bhutto prayed in the Mazidur-Rahman’s female sanctuary while male worshippers engaged in an emotional discussion. Following the debate, Bhutto was told she could not enter the male sanctuary to meet the rest of the congregation.
“I feel real bad because she had to be outside,” said mosque member Bari Siddique, who was quoted in Saturday editions of The Brownsville Herald. “Had I known that she was coming we could have arranged something. If not there, then somewhere comfortable to talk.”
The request initially prompted surprise from the former Pakistani leader, but she would not comment directly on the issue, the newspaper reported.
In Islam, men and women are expected to be treated equally but kept separate in social situations to preserve family values, mosque members explained.
Some members felt a visiting dignitary should be allowed into the men’s sanctuary, while others felt that a person’s political status should not matter inside a place of worship.
“Any other woman, even my wife, or anybody else’s wife, would not be allowed in that section, because we are trying to maintain the rule for that place,” said mosque member Ahmad Karkoutly. “This is Allah’s house, and you have to go with the rule of the host.”
Both sanctuaries have the same amenities and are adapted to suit the needs of the people, mosque members said.
“I’m very happy to find that there is a Muslim community in Brownsville,” Bhutto said before visiting the mosque.
Siddique said he hopes Bhutto understands why she was not permitted full access to the mosque.
“She didn’t make an issue because she comes from that background and she knows that men and women, especially in the mosque, don’t go and sit down together,” he said.
Bhutto, 51, served two terms as prime minister, 1988 to 1990 and 1993 to 1996. She is the daughter of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Pakistan’s president from 1971 to 1973 and prime minister from 1973 to 1977. A popular leader, he was overthrown by the military and hanged in 1979.
For the past four years, Benazir Bhutto has been living in exile in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
http://www.dailysentinel.com/hp/content/gen/ap/TX_Bhutto_Segregated_Worship.html