April 19, 2009 – islamicate

Child Marriage in Arabia

islamoyankeeApril 19, 2009

Brian’s comments are spot on. What is this reform of which you speak? After public outcry over the marriage of an 8-year-old to a 50-year-old, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Justice has vowed action: “The justice ministry aims to put an end to arbitrariness by parents and guardians in marrying off minor girls’, Justice Minister Mohammad Al Eisa told Al Watan newspaper, partially owned by members of the royal family… “The minister’s comments suggested the practice of marrying off young girls would not be abolished. The regulations will seek to ‘preserve the rights, fending off blights to end the negative aspects…

Inter-faith Web/Tech

The Networked Congregation

islamoyankeeApril 19, 2009

The Networked Congregation: Embracing the Spirit of Experimentation is written by my friend Andrea Useem. Do check it out; it is free and very easy to navigate.

Intra-faith Weblogs

City of Brass Guest Post: What is Shi’ism?

islamoyankeeApril 19, 2009

Aziz is on holiday once more, and I have a guest post over at City of Brass. It’s a re-print of my earlier “What is Shi’ism?” I even managed to keep all my original typos!

Inter-faith Politics

Attempts to convert Mama Sarah Obama

islamoyankeeApril 19, 2009

Using religion for politics. It ain’t the Muslims this time. There has been an attempt, yesterday, to convert Mama Sarah Obama, President Barack Obama’s foster grandmother, to Christianity: … Presdident Obama’s family is an extended one, of Kenyan, American and Indonesian; and of Muslims and Christians. Obama’s father and paternal grandfather were both Muslims. The mother of Obamas father, the President’s real ‘granny’, Habiba Akumu Obama was a Muslim too. Mama Sarah Obama, his foster ‘granny’ and the woman who brought up Barack’s father – to protect Mr. Obama’s presidential ambition during the recent race for the White House –…

Books Music

Free Book: “Dis-Orienting Rhythms” available for download

islamoyankeeApril 19, 2009

I love this book. I had just written an article on treating Fun^Da^Mental as part of the South Asian literary tradition (unpublished) about three months before this book came out in print. It’s a wonderful collection of essays, and they don’t all agree with one another. It’s a shame it’s out of print, because I think it’s a classic in the field, but I’m glad they’ve made it available for download. I learned about this book over ten years ago from Tony Mitchell, and have found it invaluable. I urge anyone interested in BrAsian politics and culture, fans of Fun’Da’Mental,…