An Islamist preacher says 19 year old Tunisian Amina (FEMEN Tunisia) who posted a topless photo of herself bearing the slogan “my body belongs to me, and is not the source of anyone’s honour” deserves to be stoned to death. A lawyer has said she may face up to 2 years’ imprisonment and fines as a result of her topless activism.
Someone identifying herself as Amina’s aunt denounced Amina’s actions on Youtube saying: “I hope she pays for her actions. She does not represent her country or Tunisian women.”
Well, Amina represents me and countless other women across the Middle East, North Africa, and the world.
Adel Almi, president of Al-Jamia Al-Li-Wassatia Tawia Wal-Islah, who called for Amina’s flogging and stoning to death said Amina’s actions will bring misfortune by causing “epidemics and disasters” and “could be contagious and give ideas to other women…”
Of course it has and will just as those of FEMEN or Aliaa Magda El-Mahdy.
I suggest we pick a date for a global day of topless action led by FEMEN to show him and his Islamist brethren what a “disaster” women are for misogyny – Islamic or otherwise.
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Mirko
March 19, 2013 at 5:20 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Maryam u never appear like her for a protest?
Skydog
March 20, 2013 at 1:11 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
She has in the past. See ‘Nude Calendar’ link above.
Raza
March 19, 2013 at 5:37 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Mariyam Should come in media and do protest like this.. definitely she can give a more better image on freedom and rights of women.
Janet
March 19, 2013 at 5:53 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Amina speaks for me too. But I speak from the safety of Europe. I just hope those who hate Amina’s courage and openness don’t get a chance to harm her.
John Williams
March 19, 2013 at 6:31 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
What a courageous young woman.
Deborah Jamil
March 19, 2013 at 6:52 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Everyone (that includes Arabs) is looking at a depiction of a woman’s breasts every time they see the word Allah written (drawn) in Arabic, so what’s the big deal? Arabic is a pictographic language based on body parts, esp. reproductive body parts. When you look at the Arabic alphabet you are seeing pregnant bellies with breasts, man’s genitals, with and without an erection, semen, woman’s genitals, ovaries, and eggs. Btw, if you look at Amina’s stomach, you will see a clear depiction of the breasts and belly.
Contessa de Metoncula
March 20, 2013 at 9:31 am (UTC 1) Link to this comment
I could not but agree more!
The Judeo Christian religions have the same problem and we have the same problem in the US where in certain states the Government interferes with women’s bodies. Recently in Ireland a young woman died because she was denied an abortion by a very catholic doctor who refused to perform the operation that would have saved the young woman..The Catholic Church was born out of Judaism just like the Muslims and based on a man invented misogynist invisible entity..The problem is also exacerbated by the complicity of very superstitious women who have been indoctrinated in all those religions. For example: the female very often dangerous and mutilating circumcision is uniquely performed and perpetuated by women!
Nikki Craven
March 19, 2013 at 7:21 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Why are some people so offended by our natural bodies? What possible epidemic or disaster could the bare human form cause? The only time there is a disaster is when someone outside of that body decides to objectify it, abuse it or try to claim it as their’s. I commend her for being so courageous. Now, when is this global day of action?
Maryam Namazie
March 19, 2013 at 9:46 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Will give an update as soon as it is planned.
Mirko
March 20, 2013 at 8:09 am (UTC 1) Link to this comment
I hope Maryam u can try to do the same everytime u tak to the people
Contessa de Metoncula
March 22, 2013 at 12:02 am (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Why don’t you instead of hiding behind Myriam?
alanflynn
March 19, 2013 at 10:37 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Another powerful proclamation of freedom, dignity and equality by an Arab woman. Much respect Amina.
Jane J
March 19, 2013 at 11:26 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Amina represents me too in this point.
&
yes indeed my to the fact Amine said”my body belongs to me ,& is NOT the source of anyone’s honor”.
(J)
Zuzana
March 20, 2013 at 12:02 am (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Amina speaks for me as well. I am talking from the “safety” of America. I hate left and communism (from which I emmigrated but to be true swimming naked in any river was just fine and nobody EVER called the police and/or complained) and I hate having to pay FOR OTHER PEOPLE’S abortions, surgeries and schools, I hate having to support muslim brotherhood in Egypt and I hate nobama’s worldwide genocide of common sense, hate his robbing Americans of their money. Obama finances and supports islamists so the women like Amina and I will never be able to truly own their bodies.
Contessa de Metoncula
March 20, 2013 at 9:16 am (UTC 1) Link to this comment
You have your information wrong about Obama..
It is big business that is financing the Islamists, like Harliburton big oil companies pharma companies etc..I kindly remind you that It is the Bush family who started the most recent wars in the middle east together with the UK .Get your information right before making those kinds of accusations and we are talking about women’s rights which are an internal problem and a religious one.
The main culprit is organized paternalistic monotheistic religions and it is in those relgions that women fare the worst The problem about women’s freedom have existed way before Obama was born and nowadays the Prophet would be emprisoned for marrying and thus raping very underaged little girls..Need I say more?
melina
March 21, 2013 at 1:43 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Contessa – please do not disseminate your adolescent conspiracy theories as fact. You should follow you own advice (gracelessly offered) before you demand it of others.
rafiqmahmood
March 20, 2013 at 4:17 am (UTC 1) Link to this comment
It is a pity that cigarettes are also portrayed as part of the “rebellious image”. Slavery to the tobacco drug barons is also part of the problem in the “third world”. Unfortunately taking up smoking is often seen as an expression of “liberty” and “feminism” when it is quite the opposite.
The pervasive cigarette advertising outside Europe and North America tries to convey this image of smoking as a cool, young, rebellious, freedom-loving thing to do. It is true indeed that her body belongs to her and not to Islam. It does not belong to the tobacco companies either.
Contessa de Metoncula
March 20, 2013 at 9:08 am (UTC 1) Link to this comment
I could not but agree more about the tobacco Industry and its enslaving and poisoning the people who smoke and the ones who inhale as second hand smoke that is twice as dangerous!
fatima
March 24, 2013 at 9:04 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Bravo Rafiqmahmood
Contessa de Metoncula
March 20, 2013 at 9:04 am (UTC 1) Link to this comment
To my knowledge, nobody is ever born with clothes on..There is nothing wrong with nudity it is the interpretation of nudity that is distorted by organized religion that is wrong.
Human animals are inherently stupid! Nowhere in nature do you see animals freaking out by the sight of female or male genitalia..
Nobody has ever been conceived by fully clothed parents nor by the so-called Holy Ghost and other myths.
Grow up human animals and stop the bigoted nonsense!
Darknesspinokio wordpress
March 20, 2013 at 11:03 am (UTC 1) Link to this comment
the reality is the spreading of muslim ideology is the real epidemic and disaster ,Hope Amina is okay there
Skydog
March 20, 2013 at 1:26 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Adel Almi, president of Al-Jamia Al-Li-Wassatia Tawia Wal-Islah, who called for Amina’s flogging and stoning to death said Amina’s actions will bring misfortune by causing “epidemics and disasters” and “could be contagious and give ideas to other women…”
Give ideas to other women?
Tell that to Malala Yousafsai who went back to school yesterday after eecovering from gunshot wounds to the head after she demanded an education in Pakistan. The only thing that frightens Islamists more than the sight of naked female flesh is the thought of a girl reading a book other than the Quran. It may give them ideas after all. Or perhaps they are afraid that educated, Muslim females may prove to be more intelligent than those whose sole guide to their existence is knowledge and social mores contained in a 7th century, unalterable fairy-tale?
I hope Amina’s stance DOES cause an ‘epidemic’ … of Muslim female protest, which turns out to be a ‘disaster’ … for the misogynist males who rule Islam.
Mehran
March 21, 2013 at 2:12 am (UTC 1) Link to this comment
long live Amina!
Tell us how we can support him to get his voice reach out our world! That is what the real peace bring for humanity!
All wars comes to some men penis mentality! lets condemn this mentality! That is how we can save humanity in our full of chaos world!
No mercy just get them down to knee down for humanity which they have done too much loss on his regard!
Luciano
March 21, 2013 at 4:16 am (UTC 1) Link to this comment
http://www.change.org/petitions/adel-almi-no-to-the-call-for-death-penalty-by-stones-for-amina
puzzled
March 21, 2013 at 6:57 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
ok your body is your own not a trophy of honour , but surly self respect has a part to play ,fighting your corner with nudity ??? your an intelligent, women , why lower that ??
Skydog
March 24, 2013 at 12:09 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
By forcing them to cover themselves from head to foot in black, by beating them if they are not submissive enough to their husbands, by treating them and their female offspring as a ‘commodity, by killing those girls who ‘dishonour’ their strictures … this is how Islam designs to give women ‘self-respect?’ Bullshit! And you know it.
Nikki Craven
March 22, 2013 at 12:22 am (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Wow, @puzzled, you’ve missed a lot of the message. That being there is absolutely nothing obscene or wrong with our bodies. It’s not lowering one’s self if one is comfortable and not ashamed of their own skin. It is honoring the self-worth we all have.
rodrigo es
March 22, 2013 at 2:53 am (UTC 1) Link to this comment
MÁS AMOR POR FAVOR Y LIBERTAD
Emmanuel
March 22, 2013 at 5:46 am (UTC 1) Link to this comment
@puzzled, the sin or shame is in your eyes, everybody came to this world naked. nothing to be ashamed about. She is a real Hero, the world needs more people like her. About the tobbaco… yes, is wrong, but the point is that is HER BODY.
Pat
March 22, 2013 at 8:01 am (UTC 1) Link to this comment
I’m there. Tops off.
Skydog
March 22, 2013 at 2:16 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
This could be the start of something erm…….. BIG! ( o )( o )
Yani Haigh
March 23, 2013 at 8:34 am (UTC 1) Link to this comment
I know Amina and what she was fighting for. It wasn’t the right to bare her breasts but for equality for all people and for assistance for the poor.
Maryam Namazie
March 23, 2013 at 9:06 am (UTC 1) Link to this comment
When society so mistreats women, wants them veiled, gagged and bound, sometimes one way to resist is to do the opposite of what they demand.
Skydog
March 23, 2013 at 1:49 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
It’s a dangerous game playing against these fundamentalist bozos Maryam they really are mad dogs and the worst sort thinking as they do that they have a mandate from some deranged prophet and god. This makes her stance all the more brave. I hope no harm comes to her.
Boo B McSquishie
March 23, 2013 at 11:50 am (UTC 1) Link to this comment
I don’t give a hoot about what women do with their hooters but I can tell an attention-seeker when I see one. X-D
Skydog
March 23, 2013 at 1:51 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
And it’s easy to spot a troll a mile off. She is not sat behind the protection of anonymity.
Maryam Namazie
March 24, 2013 at 11:22 am (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Yes seeking death threats, kidnapping, hospitalisation… Attention seeking indeed! I sometimes do wonder if I am on the same planet with some people who refuse to see what is going on and who tend to blame the dissenter in all this.
Skydog
March 24, 2013 at 12:11 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
From little acorns grow mighty oaks Maryam.
Audrey Barber
March 24, 2013 at 7:38 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Women of Iran Daughters of Tehran
… By: Audrey Barber
Tap the Daf softy, play that Setar lowly
Listen to the story of Neda Agha Soltan
Shot in her chest savagely
Died on a street car park
Neda! Neda! Agha Soltan
The Voice of Iran – You become
Neda! Neda! Agha Soltan
Beat that Alvah slowly bang the Chalab softly
Hear the rape of Taraneh
Hear the murder of Babazadeh
The torture the abuse the murder
In Evin they striped and killed them
Their bodies burnt and dumped
In the desserts of Karaj and Qazvin
Blow that Sallaneh sweetly, and string the Tar so sadly
For Zahra Zibi Kazemi, finally rests in peace
No more broken nose, no broken limbs
No fractured skull, no more pain and rape
The torture of Zahra Ziba Kazemi lingers within Evin Walls
Oh beat them Daf’s so softly and play the Setar lowly
Hang our heads and weep
For Iran’s tortured girls
Many! Too many they killed, for nothing
Tehran’s Daughter were raped
For crimes not theirs, they gunned them down
Upon the floors of Evin poured
The blood of Tehran’s girls
These Mighty Men of Iran’s land
They killed their girls behind Evin walls
Now let them not be spared
May the ghosts of all they killed
Torture them in turn
May they live to see the faces of those they
Raped and Killed
May they all fall to death maddened in the head
Let them run in Tehran Streets
Confessing all their crimes
Let the Women take their turn
To stone these bastards Dead
Ring that Zang!
Play the Tanbur!
Beat the Dabal – NOW!
Play them loudly
Play them all for those survived
They live to tell the tale
To them Today Stand Bow
Applaud them for their strength
These are the Women, who made the change
Exposing Heathen Men
Oh Play the Santoor! Play the Santoor!
Women of Iran do Rise
Tortured and Broken
Shattered, and weak
Tehran’s daughters you still do stand
You tell your tale the world must know
Those gruesome deeds they do
Play the Sorahi, Sing a New song
Tehran’s Girls are Brave
They told the tale and the world does know
Those heathens exposed are now
More abuse to do they will think again
We are proud of you strong women you are
Iran’s Daughters – An example to the rest!
Don’t give up your fight oh beautiful girls
Don’t give up that fight just yet
You are daughters of the soil
Fight on you must for your rights
You have the power over them
For survivors they do fear
Nothing now that you cannot bear – and nothing do you fear
Take up your cause it is you who can help the rest
This is your reason to survive! and the land belongs to you
fatima
March 24, 2013 at 9:01 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
she does not represent me . iam North African i do not wish her harm , but being topless like that is against my values , my faith , my society , my traditions . there are other ways to demonstrate and to argue being nude with a cigarette on her hand is not the only option . .
Maryam Namazie
March 24, 2013 at 9:19 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
She may not represent you any more than you represent her. However even if her being topless is against your values, your faith and traditions and so on, it is not against hers. There may be other ways to demonstrate BUT this is her way. She has as much of a right to be topless as you have not to be. Rather than focus on her, it might do you well to focus on the misogyny that she is targetting…
jaredcormier
March 26, 2013 at 12:25 am (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Just like this, one would think such the power of bare breasts could be used in a similar fashion. Joking aside, how horrible for a woman to write the (quite factual) statement on her body that it is for her to do with as she pleases?
Dian
March 26, 2013 at 1:01 am (UTC 1) Link to this comment
I support this woman in her endeavour to gain freedom from the laws imposed upon her by men whose ideas belong in the sixth century. Amina’s body is hers to display if wished, to be clothed in any way or form she desires and she is entitled to live any way she wishes. These are freedoms which should be available to any woman without some male telling her what she can do, wear or say.
Misogyny is something us women who do have freedom need to oppose. I am just so glad I was born in a country which allows women freedom. As a child I was sent to Catholic school and Mass and was made to wear a hat to church. I remember how much I resented having to do this whilst the boys went hatless. Therefore I totally understand this young woman’s protest. Women are not second class, we have minds of our own and we want to use them in our daily interactions with each other, not be told by men who have not used their minds since the 7th century what to do.
Maja
March 26, 2013 at 3:31 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
I am not an atheist.
I am not young.
I am not likely to bare my breasts in public.
I DO support women who are brave, intelligent, strong, and fighting for a cause they believe in. Be it this young lady, or a teen who is shot for being an education advocate, or a woman arguing her right to own property, vote, or be free of society’s constraints. I support equality of all persons.
Anything I can do to show that support, please let me know. I have a new grandchild. I want her to grow in a better world.
I believe Amina is all women. Even those who don’t know it.
Sami
April 2, 2013 at 5:41 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
well I’m from Tunisia , and I give my full support to Amina , I’m very proud of her ,however concerning the stoning “joke ” when such clown speaks I think we have to ignore him , it’s true our society is very conservative but I have to remind that Tunisia is a democratic instittutional country such barbarin actions are not used here
nazer
June 13, 2013 at 3:17 am (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Naked protesters will do nothing they will only focus in your body Bitch YOR WORDS ARE USELESS
Maryam Namazie
June 13, 2013 at 12:48 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
If they will do nothing, why are you commenting on it?
Skydog
June 13, 2013 at 3:19 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Dear ‘Nazi’, their actions speak louder than your misogynistic words. You obviously have a problem with women. You should not be gazing on naked female flesh as I’m sure the quran specifically forbids this. Haven’t you anything better to do? Go to the stoning to death of the latest innocent rape victim or perhaps beating your wife for showing an ankle under her burkha? or maybe arranging the marriage of your 6 year old daughter to some paedophile old goat with a beard?
Have a nice day. Now go away and apply for martyrdom.
kiki moses
June 19, 2013 at 9:40 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
i am a muslim,yes i don’t agree in the way in which she is protesting but i don’t believe that she should be stoned to death! reason being Allah is the all knower and all seer,he will deal with her according! Another point the only women she would mislead are those who are weak in faith and don’t truly believe in islam! it is we or the male men of islam to teach your wives and daughters their deen but at the end of the day who allah guides no one can misguide so leave her! They saying that she could mislead women but they can mislead alot more than her by showing hatered for a woman who doesn’t know any better of her faith! This stoning to death thing will just cause non muslims to stay away from the truth! The quran talks about ppl who turn people away from the quran or should i say away from the truth! I’m not a perfect muslim not even close,Allah knows best! but i do hope that some of you understand what i’m trying to say! Allah is most merciful most forgiving,and he knows best!
Skydog
June 20, 2013 at 5:07 am (UTC 1) Link to this comment
”This stoning to death thing will just cause non muslims to stay away from the truth!”
It’s not just the stonings which we Kufr find repulsive about Islam. Not by any means. The whole male-dominated, misogynistic system of Islam is repellant and ought to be to anyone with any sense of morality.
kiki moses
June 19, 2013 at 9:50 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
one more thing if you all want to fight for the sake of allah! then go fight for your sisters in france who are being oppress by men for just covering their heads! May allah guides us all!
Skydog
June 20, 2013 at 5:09 am (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Yeah that’s the trouble with Islam. It ALWAYS wants to fight. It is a religion of permanent ofence and being offended at the slightest criticism.
Femen Tunisia Amina | crazyman
March 20, 2013 at 11:18 am (UTC 1) Link to this comment
[...] http://freethoughtblogs.com/maryamnamazie/2013/03/19/amina-represents-me/ [...]
FEMEN Tunisia’s Facebook Page Hacked » Maryam Namazie
March 21, 2013 at 12:54 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
[...] have taken control of FEMEN-Tunisia’s Facebook fanpage. This follows a death threat against 19 year old Amina who posted topless photos of [...]
The other Amina » Maryam Namazie
March 21, 2013 at 11:35 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
[...] your honour and your [...]
Reshared post from Jack Malchow: | Rambling....
March 22, 2013 at 12:03 am (UTC 1) Link to this comment
[...] Islamists suck.http://freethoughtblogs.com/maryamnamazie/2013/03/19/amina-represents-me/?utm_source=feedburner&… [...]
Release Amina Now » Maryam Namazie
March 22, 2013 at 12:00 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
[...] are reports that 19 year old Amina who posted nude photos of herself for FEMEN Tunisia has been seized by her family and possibly the [...]
Let’s Breast Them » Maryam Namazie
March 23, 2013 at 10:47 am (UTC 1) Link to this comment
[...] 19 year old Tunisian Amina who posted a topless photo of herself with the slogan “my body belongs to me, and is not the [...]
Let’s Breast Them | Zokster Something
March 24, 2013 at 10:02 am (UTC 1) Link to this comment
[...] 19 year old Tunisian Amina who posted a topless photo of herself with the slogan “my body belongs to me, and is not the [...]
Let’s Breast Them | rave utopia
March 24, 2013 at 10:52 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
[...] 19 year old Tunisian Amina who posted a topless photo of herself with the slogan “my body belongs to me, and is not the [...]
4 April 2013: International Day to Defend Amina; she represents us » Maryam Namazie
March 25, 2013 at 9:49 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
[...] 19 March 2013: Amina represents me [...]
Links: More on Amina | fojap
April 6, 2013 at 1:49 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
[...] has happened to the young woman. I originally became aware of Amina’s situation due to a post by Maryam Namzie, an Iranian born feminist and human rights activist, who is also a former Muslim. [...]