LINES OF THE DAY

". . . But the past does not exist independently from the present. Indeed, the past is only past because there is a present, just as I can point to something over there only because I am here. But nothing is inherently over there or here. In that sense, the past has no content. The past -- or more accurately, pastness -- is a position. Thus, in no way can we identify the past as past." p. 15

". . . But we may want to keep in mind that deeds and words are not as distinguishable as often we presume. History does not belong only to its narrators, professional or amateur. While some of us debate what history is or was, others take it into their own hands." p. 153

Silencing the Past: Power and the Production of History (1995) by Michel-Rolph Trouillot

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Turkish Islam Doing What U.S. Critics Have Said Islam Hasn't Done

Turkey in radical revision of Islamic texts.

This is a most interesting story, from the BBC. If the story ever played in the regional papers and newscasts of the nation here, it could do a lot of good, for us, as well as for those dorkdongs of the Taliban. It states uncategorically, for instance:

[ "Some messages ban women from travelling without their husband's permission... But this isn't a religious ban. It came about because it simply wasn't safe for a woman to travel alone."

Prof Mehmet Gormez ,Hadith expert, Department of Religious Affairs ]

1 comment:

Frank Partisan said...

Good post in light of women's day coming up.