Price of Honor: Muslim Women Lift the Veil of Silence on the Islamic World
10 journalers for this copy...
Pre-numbered label used for registration.
From the back cover:
In recent years the expanding movement of militant Islam has changed the way millions think, behave, dress, and live. It has increasingly influenced the way entire nations are governed, But nowhere has its impact been more powerfully felt than in the dramatic, often devastating effect on the lives of women. Award-winning journalist Jan Goodwin traveled through ten countries of the Islamic heartland and interviewed hundreds of muslim women, from professionals to peasants, from royalty to rebels. The result is an unforgettable, blistering journey into a world where women are confined, isolated, even killed for the sake of a "code of honor" created and zealously enforced by men.
This is a world where a grandmother can be arrested and whipped with eighty lashes when a single lock of hair slips out from under her veil; where rape victims are imprisoned for "fornication"; where doctors surgically restore hymens on prospective brides because nonvirgins can be killed by male relatives; and where American converts to Islam adopt the veil and accept their husbands' polygamy, yet still fear the increasing Islamic extremism. With these and many other telling stories, Price of Honor brings to life a world in which vomen have become pawns in a bitter power game. Here is a provocative look inside Muslim society today - and a ringing wake-up call to the world.
In recent years the expanding movement of militant Islam has changed the way millions think, behave, dress, and live. It has increasingly influenced the way entire nations are governed, But nowhere has its impact been more powerfully felt than in the dramatic, often devastating effect on the lives of women. Award-winning journalist Jan Goodwin traveled through ten countries of the Islamic heartland and interviewed hundreds of muslim women, from professionals to peasants, from royalty to rebels. The result is an unforgettable, blistering journey into a world where women are confined, isolated, even killed for the sake of a "code of honor" created and zealously enforced by men.
This is a world where a grandmother can be arrested and whipped with eighty lashes when a single lock of hair slips out from under her veil; where rape victims are imprisoned for "fornication"; where doctors surgically restore hymens on prospective brides because nonvirgins can be killed by male relatives; and where American converts to Islam adopt the veil and accept their husbands' polygamy, yet still fear the increasing Islamic extremism. With these and many other telling stories, Price of Honor brings to life a world in which vomen have become pawns in a bitter power game. Here is a provocative look inside Muslim society today - and a ringing wake-up call to the world.
Starting a bookring. Participants so far are:
mrbrant, California, USA
MysteryMish, California, USA - arrived 3/21/05
tuff517, Texas, USA - arrived 4/21/05
DoveiLibri, Florida, USA - arrived ~5/31/05
pashmack, Florida, USA - arrived 6/21/01
JDT, California, USA - arrived 07/21/05
burgyndie, Maryland, USA
MaisyMay, Hampshire, UK
katayoun, Iran
CandyDarling, Finland
sqdancer, Alberta, Canada
bookgirl24, Indiana, USA
- and back to morpha
weeblet, Virginia, USA
mrbrant, California, USA
MysteryMish, California, USA - arrived 3/21/05
tuff517, Texas, USA - arrived 4/21/05
DoveiLibri, Florida, USA - arrived ~5/31/05
pashmack, Florida, USA - arrived 6/21/01
JDT, California, USA - arrived 07/21/05
burgyndie, Maryland, USA
MaisyMay, Hampshire, UK
katayoun, Iran
CandyDarling, Finland
sqdancer, Alberta, Canada
bookgirl24, Indiana, USA
- and back to morpha
weeblet, Virginia, USA
I just noticed that I never journaled this book.
Well...I got it about a week ago. I am in the middle of a book and have one bookring book ahead of this one, so I should have this one read within 3 weeks.
Well...I got it about a week ago. I am in the middle of a book and have one bookring book ahead of this one, so I should have this one read within 3 weeks.
Released 19 yrs ago (3/17/2005 UTC) at
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
Sent to next person on list.
Sent to next person on list.
Got this in the mail yesterday, can't wait to read it. Thanks mrbrant and morpha!
Wow. This was a really heavy and disturbing book. I am really glad I read it. I feel much more informed on the plight of women in the countries in this book. It was very well written and informative. I liked the mix of history, facts and statistics and personal stories of women. It has made me want to better understand what is going on in that part of the world. Sending tomorrow to tuff517 in Texas.
Received this today, will start it as soon as I can.
Finally finished! About halfway through this book it seemed that the more I read, the longer the book got. But I'm glad I got through it, it presented quite a bit of information on the lives of women in the different countries that follow the Muslim/Islamic traditions/customs. It was enlightening in both horrible and cultural ways, and while I can see why some women feel comfortable in their faith, I can't believe they can justify the abuse of other women under the name of God. Like any religion, though, it has its good and bad sides. It's interesting that the society is built upon Muslim beliefs, where in a place like America, religion is but a small sliver of society. Thanks for sharing, this was a great book, and it will be in the mail to DoveiLibri tomorrow!
I received this book in the mail last week and started reading it right away! Nearly done, I am going to contact the next person on the list to get their address. I think it will probably be sent out by the end of this week, but I'll journal again when I mail it out!Added June 15, 2005: Sent today via media mail to fellow book crosser, PASMACK, next on the list!
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Arrived in today's mail. I'll get started on it later today. Thanks, all!
While the things presented in this book may not be surprising, they certainly remain disturbing. I found it difficult to read this book without experiencing a mix of frustration, sadness, outrage, and empathy. The book was published back in 1994, making some of the statements seem quite prophetic, such as Amal Sharqi's comment that should Saddam fall, there would be a reign of terror for Iraq.
Most of the women interviewed were quick to point out that Mohammad was a proponent of women's rights, and that militants have misinterpreted and perverted many of the teachings of the Koran to conform to their agenda. "True Islamic government, however," states Sa'id Al-Ahmawy on page 350, "if one follows the tradition of the Prophet, is the government of the people; a government that they freely elect and in which they share; a government that they may change peaceably, without bloodshed and without being denounced as heretics."
It would be interesting to read an updated version of this book- ten years after its original publication. Having visited Iran, I did observe that some restrictions seem to have eased up since the author's visit. I saw many women with their hair showing (still wearing hijab, of course), and some wearing make up. I never saw anyone approached about their appearance. Women there drive, work, vote, go to school, and seem to have more freedom than their counterparts in some of the other countries featured (knock wood).
Thanks, morpha for sharing this interesting (and disturbing!) book. Oh, on a lighter note....after reading so many Middle Eastern names in this book, I guess my brain became trained. I came across a sentence beginning with the word "ashamed". Seeing it with the capital "A", I read it as a name: Ash-a-med. I had to read the sentence three times because it wasn't making sense to me. Finally, I realized it said "ashamed" and not someone's name.
Here are some interesting websites for more information:
Human Rights Watch
First Lady's Middle East Tour Stirs Mixed Reviews
Mailed to JDT via media mail on July 14.
Most of the women interviewed were quick to point out that Mohammad was a proponent of women's rights, and that militants have misinterpreted and perverted many of the teachings of the Koran to conform to their agenda. "True Islamic government, however," states Sa'id Al-Ahmawy on page 350, "if one follows the tradition of the Prophet, is the government of the people; a government that they freely elect and in which they share; a government that they may change peaceably, without bloodshed and without being denounced as heretics."
It would be interesting to read an updated version of this book- ten years after its original publication. Having visited Iran, I did observe that some restrictions seem to have eased up since the author's visit. I saw many women with their hair showing (still wearing hijab, of course), and some wearing make up. I never saw anyone approached about their appearance. Women there drive, work, vote, go to school, and seem to have more freedom than their counterparts in some of the other countries featured (knock wood).
Thanks, morpha for sharing this interesting (and disturbing!) book. Oh, on a lighter note....after reading so many Middle Eastern names in this book, I guess my brain became trained. I came across a sentence beginning with the word "ashamed". Seeing it with the capital "A", I read it as a name: Ash-a-med. I had to read the sentence three times because it wasn't making sense to me. Finally, I realized it said "ashamed" and not someone's name.
Here are some interesting websites for more information:
Human Rights Watch
First Lady's Middle East Tour Stirs Mixed Reviews
Mailed to JDT via media mail on July 14.
This well-travelled book arrived today.
Really looking forward to an informative and disturbing read - based on the back cover description and journal entries!
Thanks everyone before me on this bookring!
Really looking forward to an informative and disturbing read - based on the back cover description and journal entries!
Thanks everyone before me on this bookring!
An important and disturbing read!
Afghani students I've taught in high school here seem to have conflicted feelings about their lives as Muslim women: appreciating opportunities for more education and freedom in the US, while feeling more protected and respected wearing veils. All my students respected their observance of the fast of Ramadan.
I'm wondering about women in Islamic countries now - 10-11 years after this book was written.
Mailing to katayoun in Iran. Your perspective will be interesting and helpful for our understanding!
(burgyndie asked to be skipped. unable to connect with MaisyMay)
Afghani students I've taught in high school here seem to have conflicted feelings about their lives as Muslim women: appreciating opportunities for more education and freedom in the US, while feeling more protected and respected wearing veils. All my students respected their observance of the fast of Ramadan.
I'm wondering about women in Islamic countries now - 10-11 years after this book was written.
Mailing to katayoun in Iran. Your perspective will be interesting and helpful for our understanding!
(burgyndie asked to be skipped. unable to connect with MaisyMay)
the book is here, thanks JDT and morpha, and wonder of wonders i can start it today as the books needed to be read can all wait! will be back
page 45 and i really want to shake someone! :) well i suppose you can add that muslim women are aggressive :)
ok, i would never make the senctence that christians don't believe in contraception, christians believe some countries to be evil, christians think some presidents should be killed....i KNOW that people said that, people that among other things were also christians. it would be very silly to say christians do something, you would ask what faith, where in the world, what part of what country, which group and then you would all of them? they act as a group? it's nice to know that md goodwin, a journalist cannot see anything but muslims and talk about this imaginary group of people acting very strangely. actions of people are not goverend by their faith only, the faith of our ancestors (whether we have that faith) IS one of the baggages we carry with us and that make us, where out ancestors come, where we've been raised, where we live now, in what economic class our parent and we are, where we've studied.....and thousands of other factors (weather, economy, politics) everything make us what we are, i cannot think what "muslims" believe this or "muslims" do that, mean.
ok, i'm really angry :)
ok, i won't go into the fact that women were opressed, didn't have right to their money, where given to the suitor with more to offer,... in west, or east or all over the world. is seems that it's a human thing, and we've fought for alot and need to go on fighting. i won't go into comparison. i would just talk about what i know.
most people in iran would be glad to have a girl or a boy, healthy child is a case for rejoicing. in most cases no woman is shamed by giving birth to a girl, there "might" still be places, people that rather have boys, but they are a dieing race (if not long gone!)
about pakistan, unfortunately that might be true and yet i think alot of statistics is also true for the neighboring india which is not muslim. so maybe it's got a political or economical reason. you must also remember that pakistan had a woman president! something that people believe would not happen very soon in alot of western countries.
ok, i better go and try to read the book, i was so angry that i had to write this! and i waited a whole day before writing, that was how angry i was.
will be back
ok, i would never make the senctence that christians don't believe in contraception, christians believe some countries to be evil, christians think some presidents should be killed....i KNOW that people said that, people that among other things were also christians. it would be very silly to say christians do something, you would ask what faith, where in the world, what part of what country, which group and then you would all of them? they act as a group? it's nice to know that md goodwin, a journalist cannot see anything but muslims and talk about this imaginary group of people acting very strangely. actions of people are not goverend by their faith only, the faith of our ancestors (whether we have that faith) IS one of the baggages we carry with us and that make us, where out ancestors come, where we've been raised, where we live now, in what economic class our parent and we are, where we've studied.....and thousands of other factors (weather, economy, politics) everything make us what we are, i cannot think what "muslims" believe this or "muslims" do that, mean.
ok, i'm really angry :)
ok, i won't go into the fact that women were opressed, didn't have right to their money, where given to the suitor with more to offer,... in west, or east or all over the world. is seems that it's a human thing, and we've fought for alot and need to go on fighting. i won't go into comparison. i would just talk about what i know.
most people in iran would be glad to have a girl or a boy, healthy child is a case for rejoicing. in most cases no woman is shamed by giving birth to a girl, there "might" still be places, people that rather have boys, but they are a dieing race (if not long gone!)
about pakistan, unfortunately that might be true and yet i think alot of statistics is also true for the neighboring india which is not muslim. so maybe it's got a political or economical reason. you must also remember that pakistan had a woman president! something that people believe would not happen very soon in alot of western countries.
ok, i better go and try to read the book, i was so angry that i had to write this! and i waited a whole day before writing, that was how angry i was.
will be back
thanks morpha for the pm! though i have made it to the end of the pakistan chapter and i will definitely read the iran and emirates chapters, i think afterwards i would send the book on it's way. i can take that much teeth gnashing and hair pulling!! really, i just can't think what ms goodwin is trying to do and what she's trying to say. i'll think of it as a very fireworky talk show session, a bit of truth, a whole lot of show and very, very directed and illogical summing ups. i'll think nicely of her and assume that she wanted to sell a book and there was no other motive.
just a couple of notes that while all her statistics about pakistan and the rapes are probably and unfortuantely correct what does that have to do with muslims? and where there any other statistics? about the men killed, about women not killed and working and studying? where these statistics compared to the rape numbers in the other parts of the world? to the serial killers out there? to the women prisons? even to the rape statistics in other muslim coutries, since it seems that muslims and rape got something going. i would not even comment on her statement on bhutto family, and her every other contradicting sentence. i know that she is telling some truths there but the way she tells them and her half truths really puts one back up.
a note: for clarification, while i am in iran and asked for my religion i have to put islam, let me say that i am not a practicing one, just so that you know that i am not offended because i am a muslim, i am offended because there are so many half truths and very simplistic conclusions there.
just a couple of notes that while all her statistics about pakistan and the rapes are probably and unfortuantely correct what does that have to do with muslims? and where there any other statistics? about the men killed, about women not killed and working and studying? where these statistics compared to the rape numbers in the other parts of the world? to the serial killers out there? to the women prisons? even to the rape statistics in other muslim coutries, since it seems that muslims and rape got something going. i would not even comment on her statement on bhutto family, and her every other contradicting sentence. i know that she is telling some truths there but the way she tells them and her half truths really puts one back up.
a note: for clarification, while i am in iran and asked for my religion i have to put islam, let me say that i am not a practicing one, just so that you know that i am not offended because i am a muslim, i am offended because there are so many half truths and very simplistic conclusions there.
first sent the second pm to candydarling and waiting for her response and then while waiting, i can't leave the aching tooth alone and am reading the iran part.
just a note to women planning to travel to this country, i've had seen a couple of my bor's friends (single females) come and go (and many other friends' friends) and they have either been luckier than ms goodwin, or they hadn't a book to write and so got visa a bit easier or maybe the times have changed. anyway, i've seen young women tour the country, alone, in pairs and they have come and gone. so if you are thinking of a visit, don't trust ms goodwin 100% :)
just a note to women planning to travel to this country, i've had seen a couple of my bor's friends (single females) come and go (and many other friends' friends) and they have either been luckier than ms goodwin, or they hadn't a book to write and so got visa a bit easier or maybe the times have changed. anyway, i've seen young women tour the country, alone, in pairs and they have come and gone. so if you are thinking of a visit, don't trust ms goodwin 100% :)
first off i am so glad that i read the emirates(dubai really) after the iran, it seems that ms goodwin either knows and likes lubna and she talks about the whole country, not as a prejudice bystander, comparing things to west (or then again maybe dubai's malls and likeness to west had something to do with it :)) anyway, the dubai part is in much softer (i will not go into the discussion that most emiritie women i've seen have the burgha and i assume that they must not like it and so why there is no discussion of that :)), it's way nicer.
also on a note about duabi, what has hiv or visiting thailand got anything to do with islam or dubai. i think the major tourists in thailand are from west and also i think hiv stats are higher in a lot of other countries and what has that to do with prostitution and the way women are treated?
anyway, on iran part, let me first say that the place is a dictatorship and i am assuming that the politics of the country can be very far away from the wishes of the people or the culture of the country, so please keep that in mind. well and then let me see that the country now is very different from what ms goodwin saw or what she wrote, it's still theoractical dictatoship and so women are forced to dress in islamic dress (though the hairs are showing and the coats/manteaux are getting shorter, tighter and really colorful). still women are out there in the public, there are engineers(they were never banned from studying engineering, i know :)), doctors and lawyers (yes, there are no women judges still :() and advisors to the president. there is not the state of fear and moral/military police anymore. still it's a dictatorship and so there is censorship and corruption and .... nothing to do with islam (i hope) or iranians. also may i add that iranian men are like others, some good and some bad, i truly resent the sentence about "iranian" men wanting their wives covered, none of the men i know are like that.
also on a note about duabi, what has hiv or visiting thailand got anything to do with islam or dubai. i think the major tourists in thailand are from west and also i think hiv stats are higher in a lot of other countries and what has that to do with prostitution and the way women are treated?
anyway, on iran part, let me first say that the place is a dictatorship and i am assuming that the politics of the country can be very far away from the wishes of the people or the culture of the country, so please keep that in mind. well and then let me see that the country now is very different from what ms goodwin saw or what she wrote, it's still theoractical dictatoship and so women are forced to dress in islamic dress (though the hairs are showing and the coats/manteaux are getting shorter, tighter and really colorful). still women are out there in the public, there are engineers(they were never banned from studying engineering, i know :)), doctors and lawyers (yes, there are no women judges still :() and advisors to the president. there is not the state of fear and moral/military police anymore. still it's a dictatorship and so there is censorship and corruption and .... nothing to do with islam (i hope) or iranians. also may i add that iranian men are like others, some good and some bad, i truly resent the sentence about "iranian" men wanting their wives covered, none of the men i know are like that.
well from what i read, i must say that the book was so directed, stating half truths and fiction and facts and then drawing unrelated conclusions from them. i couldn't see what it had to do with women or islam a lot of cases, alot of the things stated could be true anywhere.
it was also a scary book, if people would decide on the countries the book talked about or about islam based on it. please remember that this is only one person's view of many countries and i am not sure what this view based on.
thanks so much for the book morpha, got candydarling's address and am going to send the book in 2 days time.
p.s. just a note on mujahedeen in iran, these group of people were responsible for many of deaths in the beginnig of revolution, then afterward since they were ousted from power by the mullahs they started opposing the government. they attacked iran, when iran was at war with iraq and helped iraqese on some of their offensives, for alot of iranian that lost their family in the war this fact would never be forgiven, and i think they are not outlawed in alot of western coutries and considered a terrorist group, what ms goodwin was saying was as usual really not ture and only some facts mixed with a whole lot of fiction.
it was also a scary book, if people would decide on the countries the book talked about or about islam based on it. please remember that this is only one person's view of many countries and i am not sure what this view based on.
thanks so much for the book morpha, got candydarling's address and am going to send the book in 2 days time.
p.s. just a note on mujahedeen in iran, these group of people were responsible for many of deaths in the beginnig of revolution, then afterward since they were ousted from power by the mullahs they started opposing the government. they attacked iran, when iran was at war with iraq and helped iraqese on some of their offensives, for alot of iranian that lost their family in the war this fact would never be forgiven, and i think they are not outlawed in alot of western coutries and considered a terrorist group, what ms goodwin was saying was as usual really not ture and only some facts mixed with a whole lot of fiction.
just to make things clear to everyone, cause it seems that my journal entries sounded like a loony :), angry person. well i wasn't really angry, angry at anyone (remember that englsih is not my first language!) it was more a feeling of betrayal, WHY an educated woman would write such a biased, illogical book? it was disappointing and so i sounded angry, then some of it had to do with i am here and so i don't expect much from here, but i wanted more from a woman journalist from the free world!! :) ummmmm about the loony part, well opinions differ :) so hugs and apologies to anyone that was offended or scared by my journal entries. happy bookcrossing!
mailed today and on it's way to candydarling
Journal Entry 23 by CandyDarling from Helsinki, Uusimaa / Nyland Finland on Wednesday, January 18, 2006
I got this book in the mail a while back, but it got misplaced during all the Christmas fuss. I'm very sorry for the worry I caused Katayoun! I'll try to read this book as quickly as possible, as it had been lying in my home for a while already.
(I'm very glad I got to read this after Katayoun, as it will be very interesting to have her insight while reading!)
I started reading this book January 18th. It interesting how the author discusses the rise of fundamentalism, and how it worries the majority of Muslims, in the first chapter. This book was written 10 years ago, but the West really became concerned with Muslim fundamentalism after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
(I'm very glad I got to read this after Katayoun, as it will be very interesting to have her insight while reading!)
I started reading this book January 18th. It interesting how the author discusses the rise of fundamentalism, and how it worries the majority of Muslims, in the first chapter. This book was written 10 years ago, but the West really became concerned with Muslim fundamentalism after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Journal Entry 24 by CandyDarling from Helsinki, Uusimaa / Nyland Finland on Monday, February 27, 2006
I sent this book to sqdancer in Canada on February 17th. Unfortunately the book reached me at a very bad time, and I only read the first three chapters. The whole Muhammad cartoons controversy made me really angry, and reading this book only fueled that anger.
The 3rd chapter on Pakistan discussed the "red light district" of Hira Mandi. If you're interested in hereditary prostitution in Pakistan, I strongly recommend The Dancing Girls of Lahore by Louise Brown. I loved that book!
The 3rd chapter on Pakistan discussed the "red light district" of Hira Mandi. If you're interested in hereditary prostitution in Pakistan, I strongly recommend The Dancing Girls of Lahore by Louise Brown. I loved that book!
Arrived safe and sound. I am looking forward to reading the book and all the journal entries. Thank you for including me, morpha, and thank you for mailing all the way here, CandyDarling.
This is not the kind of book that you can read in one sitting - much to emotionally charged. Thanks to katayoun for giving us a counterpoint.
I have not had any luck contacting bookgirl24 after several PMs, so I have just posted an ISO in the Bookring/ray Forum.
I have not had any luck contacting bookgirl24 after several PMs, so I have just posted an ISO in the Bookring/ray Forum.
No luck contacting bookgirl24 via PM or forum posting, so I'm moving on to weeblet.
My apologies for taking so long to get this book back on its travels again. Weeblet asked to be skipped (she replied very promply, the delay is not her fault), so this book is heading home.
Sent yesterday via air mail.
Sent yesterday via air mail.
This book sucessfully returned from its overseas journey today. Thanks to everyone for participating, and especially thanks for the honest journal entries.
