Evangelist Franklin Graham is speaking out against proposed legislation in Pakistan that
would give men the right to beat their wives, calling it proof that Islam intends to keep
women locked “behind a veil of horror. ” Pakistan ’ s Express Tribune reported last week that the 20 - member Council of Islamic Ideology, a constitutional body that advises the Pakistani legislature about whether laws are compatible with Islam , proposed a bill that
would permit husbands to “lightly beat ” their
wives for defying them .
The bill claims that husbands should be
allowed to beat their wives if they reject their
demands for sexual intercourse without a
religious excuse, refuse to dress up when
asked, and if wives do not take a bath after
intercourse or menstral periods.
Additionally , the proposal finds that women
can be beaten for not wearing a hijab , talking
to strangers, giving money to people without
talking to their husbands first, and for speaking loud enough that strangers can hear. In order to instill fear into their wives, the proposal advises husbands that using a “ small stick” is necessary , CNN reports .
Graham , the president of the Billy Graham
Evangelistic Association and Samaritan ’ s Purse humanitarian organization , took to Facebook on Tuesday to lambast the proposed law .
“The leader of the powerful Council for Islamic
Ideology in Pakistan just this week said a
husband should be allowed to ‘ lightly beat ’ his wife, ” Graham wrote. “ According to them , that is permissible if she defies his commands and refuses to dress up per his desires , does not wear a hijab, interacts with strangers, speaks too loudly, or declines other more personal things . And get this — their proposal says using only a ‘ small stick ’ is necessary to instill fear . ”
“Somehow that’ s not very comforting , is it ?”
Graham added. “ Women of the world, Islam
wants to put you behind a veil of horror. ”
Graham argued that while Islam tries to instill
fear into women , Christianity treats women
“with dignity and respect . ”
“Jesus Christ elevated women , and if you put
your faith and trust in Him , He will never let you down , ” Graham added .
Graham , a frequent critic of Islam , also called
out the hypocrisy of liberal feminists like
Democratic presidential candidate Hillary
Clinton who refuse to speak out against the
abusive treatment of women in majority Muslim nations like Pakistan , Saudi Arabia , Iran and elsewhere .
Where are the Gloria Steinems , the Bella
Abzugs, or even the Hillary Clintons , that call
themselves champions for women ’ s rights
when it comes to the teachings of Islam ?”
Graham asked? “ Why aren ’ t they screaming
about the way Islam treats women ?”
Other proposals made by the Council of Islamic Ideology would place other unfair societal bans on women .
Under the proposed legislation , women would be banned from receiving a co- education after primary school .Women would also be banned from participating in military combat. The proposal would also ban female nurses from serving male patients .
Even without the proposed law , Pakistani
women are often beaten and forced to submit
to their husbands . Women are often subjected
to honor killings , forced marriages , acid
attacks , child marriages and sexual abuse .
According to the World Economic Forum ’ s
Global Gender Gap 2014 report, Pakistan is the second lowest ranking country in the world for
gender equality.
Additionally , Pakistan is ranked as the sixth
worst country in the world for Christian
persecution, according to Open Doors USA’ s
2016 World Watch List.
As many as 700 Christian women each year are kidnapped, raped and forced into Islamic
marriages , according to a 2014 study by Movement for Solidarity and Peace in Pakistan.
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