Lubna Hussein Update: Ms Hussein’s facebook account

Ms Hussein has a facebook account.  The account is private but it is still possible to send her messages of support via this link.  Let’s let her know that even if Western Media have forgotten her, we haven’t.

Lubna Hussein Update

Sudanese English language paper, Asharq Alawsat reports Lubna Hussein has been freed.

Mali:Thousands protest move toward equality

Photo: The BBC

In the wake of a much smaller Malian protest against Female Genital Mutilation posted on the Missionary International Service News Agency, the BBC  report tens of thousands of Malian’s protesting new laws passed recently that give women equal rights in marriage.

Sadly, many of the anti- equality protesters appear to be women.  In fact the Beeb quote a female spokesperson, Hadja Sapiato Dembele of the National Union of Muslim Women’s Associations, who says it is un-islamic for a woman not to obey her husband.

Sudan: Lubna Hussein update

Khartoum, SUDAN: Violence has broken out as Sudanese police fired tear gas and beat women protesting outside the court where Lubna Hussein is being tried for wearing trousers.

Police used tear gas and batons to disperse a group (reports vary as to the number, The AP has 50, the Times has 100) demonstrators.  Some of the women demonstrators wore trousers in solidarity with Hussein.

In response to the unrest, Ms Hussein’s trial has been deferred by the court until 7 September.

Timesonline, 5 August 2009: “We are here to protest against this law that oppresses women and debases them,” said Amal Habani, another journalist, who was also arrested last month for writing a column in support of Ms Hussein.”  READ MORE>>

MSNBC.MSN.com., 4 August 2009: “Sudanese journalist Lubna Hussein, right, who faces 40 lashes on the charge of “indecent dressing,” flashes a victory sign to her supporters as she enters the court in Khartoum on Tuesday.”  READ MORE>>

The Associated Press, 4 August 2009: “Arabic slogan read as ” Lubna case, is all women case”.”  READ MORE>>

BBC, 4 August 2009: Two reports including video of Ms Hussein at the court and some of the unrest surrounding her trial. View: Protest at Sudan Woman’s trial.  View: Hussein joins her supporters

Background:

BBC, 29 July, 2009: A chronological timeline of events in recent Sudanese history from the indigenous revolt of Truk-Egyptian rule in 1881 to recent unrest and the tril of Ms Hussein.  READ MORE>>

USA: Jimmy Carter does his part to end “WorldWide Epidemic” of violence against women and girls

Blogger, Ann Drake opens a discussion about US press ignoring the news that former president Jimmy Carter has left his church in protest over religious doctrine concerning the role of women:

President Carter said: “. . .the belief that women must be subjugated to the wishes of men excuses slavery, violence, forced prostitution, genital mutilation and national laws that omit rape as a crime. . .”

AnnCarolineDrake.com said: “Let’s hope the mainstream US media finds their own courage to tell this story.”  READ MORE>>

Why would the US media ignore a story like this?  Is it a lack of interest in the topic, or does it reflect a lack of interest in the actions of someone once described as “a better man than he was a president.”?