I agree that is a cause for concern, and something many Americans are very upset about. As you probably know, there is a major rift in the USA regarding the issue of introducing God into schools. This president is also a little more religious than most. But do bear in mind that the reasons for invading Iraq were not that God ordered it, but rather the long speech given by Colin Powell at the UN, where he tried to prove that Iraq had WMDs. Of course, now most people believe that these WMDs do not exist, and perhaps there was some deliberate deception there. But this deception was not religious in its motivation. Infact the two most Islamic of states - Saudi ARabia and Pakistan - are US allies in this war. Iraq was not even an Islamic state - it was secular. This was not a war against Islam and I don't think any US politician stated it as such.
So are you saying that there is no veiling of women in the pashtun tribal areas? I have seen many documentaries on Afghanistan's women and it suggests otherwise. The documentaries (and several books I have read) invariably say that the pashtuns are a very "masculine" people and women are virtually hidden from public view and social life. I can list 10 books that I have read that say this, all the authors having spent months in the pashtun areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan. I read most of these books immediately after 9-11. You are saying that all these authors are very mistaken? Are you a pashtun? I must confess I have never met a pashtun so I cannot say firsthand, but the perception that pashtuns veil their women and force them to remain indoors is very very widely held in the western world.
Is there anyone from the pashtun areas here who could shed more light on this discrepancy please?
Ms. Nauren, without meaning disrespect to you, I really find this very hard to believe. You are telling me that the reason the Taleban destroyed the Buddha statues is to get aid and investment into Afghanistan? I am sorry, but that sounds rather far fetched to me.
Also, on this thread some one stated that the ministry of religion (or something that performs that function) in Pakistan declared that the destruction was lawful and in keeping with Islamic law. Could you please verify this? And if so, what do you think about that statement?
Also, if I may, could I ask you whether you are from a tribal area or a big city?
