Wednesday, March 31, 2004

IF YOU THOUGHT YOU DIDN'T UNDERSTAND ISLAM BEFORE...

My guess is this will leave you shaking your head.

This is a very frank British newspaper article...the subject and language of which are not for the easily offended.
Aseel, the girl, is trembling as she repeats the words after her would-be husband, Wissam. "I agree to marry you according to the Koran, the Sunna of the prophet, and the teachings of Ahl al-Bayt ..."

And here comes the interesting part: "For a period of three months."

What?

Aseel and Wissam, both Shia Muslims, are performing one of the most controversial rituals of their sect: the Muta - literally "leisure" - marriage. Unlike other Shia rituals which involve grieving, crying and whipping, this one is all about satisfaction and happiness, a way to stop you from becoming a sexually frustrated maniac at the same time as allowing you to go to bed knowing that Allah is still happy with you.

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