Travel restrictions on Muslim women - but lets not blame religion.

It's a frequent refrain, both in Australia and other countries where moderate muslims reside, "There is nothing in Islam that discriminates against women, it's the culture that's the problem."

Tosh. Bollocks. Balderdash.

There are loads of sites giving quotes and references for discrimination of women in the Quran. This is one of my favourites because it's concise. Try this attempt to justify sexual discrimination in Islam for a quick look at the view from the other side. And this from Islamic Studies at Oxford for a little balance.

The Age reports that Malaysia is considering making it a requirement for women to get written consent from their family or employer to travel alone overseas. They claim it is to reduce incidences where women traveling alone are duped into acting as drug smugglers. Islamic women's groups are vocal about the discrimination, saying that men are also duped. But when asked if the decision has a religious premise? They "declined to speculate" (you can decline to comment, but can you decline to speculate? hmmm), and said that only the person proposing the new regulation knows whether it is based on his understanding of Islam or rather a lack of understanding of gender issues.

To my mind this is a complete cop out. There are Hadith's that are specific about limiting a woman's movement without a mahram, how fiercely this is enforced depends heavily on how one interprets the Hadith.

This is one popular quote by men who would have women leave the house only the in the company of men who are relatives:

The general meaning of the words of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him): “No woman should travel unless she has a mahram with her, and no man should enter upon her unless her mahram is present.” A man stood up and said: “O Messenger of Allaah, my wife has gone out for Hajj, and I want to go out with such and such an army.” He said: “Go and do Hajj with your wife.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1862.

That is just one of course, there are more for those who look.

The proposed solution to the drug smuggling problem is to require ONLY WOMEN to have written permission from their families or employers. But Islam is not the reason for that, no no no no..... For goodness sake, put two and two together, how hard can it be?