The Safavis are one of my favorite Islamic Empires. Here’s a well done YouTube clip explaining some background about them.
Sep1
Category Archives: Iran
Aug31
Iranian Affairs: Sigheh, Mut’a and Prostitution
Shi’i Islam uses pragmatics over dogma when it comes to Sharia Law. Zaidi and Jafa’ri Shias allow you to combine worship times because of how difficult life can be, and several major Sunni scholars studied under Shias, which had a noticeable impact on their interpretation of law and scripture–particularly in the Hanafi school.
One of Shi’ism’s progressive steps is the allowance of the “temporary” marriage. Originally, this practice was allowed to help soldiers away from home be married to women travelling with the army, and therefore avoid the sin of fornication. However Sunnism viewed the practice as unacceptable to longterm morals, and barred it. Shi’i schloars argued that being human means you need sex. And if you need sex, you need to be married to have it. So a temporary marriage by contract is a necessity for to fulfill human needs–unless the girl is a virgin.
Iran, with it’s beautiful women, pleasant climate, and ancient, sophisticated culture and civilization, chose to become Shi’i in 1501, with the crowning of 15 year old Shah Ismail I
Shah Ismail is shown here battling Abul Khayr Khan
(“Yekh Safavi”). Ismail’s father had been a Shi’i Sufi from Azerbaijan. Ismail’s Sufi background jived well with the progressive thought of Jafari Shi’ism, and thus Sigheh, the temporary marriage became vogue.
Jan4
Arash Fakhravar
My friend Amir Fakhravar’s brother, Arash Fakhravar, was arrested on December 30th, 2009. Arash was arrested as a minor (he is still 17) after protesting against the Iranian government.
Amir is a leading political dissident from Iran, and one of the most sincere men I have ever met. When I found out
this awful news, I knew I had to throw whatever little weight I have as a Muslim American leader behind the cause of his freedom.
Arash has been observed to have bruises and marks of abuse on his head, after he was arrested by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Below is a letter I have drafted for his release.
January 4th, 2009
Dear (Human Rights Group),
On December 30th* **, Mohammed Reza “Arash” Fakhravar was detained without prior notice by agents acting on the behalf of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. Mr. Fakhravar’s warrant for arrest at this time has not been made public, nor have the charges against him. Furthermore, it has been noted by several witnesses that Mr. Fakhravar had been subjected to cruel and inhuman treatment, resulting in serious wounds and bruises to his hands and face.
Under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) (Articles 7,19 & 21) and the Cairo Declaration of Human Rights in Islam (CDHRI) (Articles 19,20, 22 & 23), the rights of the accused, arrested, and detained consist of the right to know for what crime they are detained, the right to freedom of speech (CDHRI: within the limits of Shariah), and the unequivocal guarantee against the use of torture and dehumanizing treatment.
It is my belief that the Islamic Republic of Iran, which is at this time a signatory to both of these treaties, has violated the above stated principles articulated in both instruments of International Law cited above. I urge your organization(s) to investigate into the matter of Mr. Fakhravar’s arrest, and that of other Iranians arrested during and after the latest political upheavals in Iran. I further ask you to join me in asking the Iranian government to strictly adhere to the ICCPR and CDHRI, and to pray for the safety and swift release of Mr. Fakhravar and all political prisoners in Iran by the government.
Yours Truly,
Hamza Khan
Chair, Middle Eastern Caucus
President, Maryland Federation of College Democrats
*Muharram 17, 1431
**Yekhshanbeh 13, 1388
