DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – It was a startling voice of protest at a startling venue. Covered head-to-toe in black, a Saudi woman lashed out at hard-line Muslim clerics' harsh religious edicts in verse on live TV at a popular Arabic version of "American Idol." Well, not quite "American Idol": Contestants compete not in singing but in traditional Arabic poetry. Over the past episodes, poets sitting on an elaborate stage before a live audience have recited odes to the beauty of Bedouin life and the glories of their rulers or mourning the gap between rich and poor. Then last week, Hissa Hilal, only her eyes visible through her black veil, delivered a blistering poem against Muslim preachers "who sit in the position of power" but are "frightening" people with their fatwas, or religious edicts, and "preying like a wolf" on those seeking peace. Her poem got loud cheers from the audience and won her a place in the competition's finals, to be aired on Wednesday. It also brought her death threats, posted on several Islamic militant Web sites. "My poetry has always been provocative," she told The Associated Press in an interview. "It's a way to express myself and give voice to Arab women, silenced by those who have hijacked our culture and our religion." Her poem was seen as a response to Sheik Abdul-Rahman al-Barrak, a prominent cleric in Saudi Arabia who recently issued a fatwa saying those who call for the mingling of men and women should be considered infidels, punishable by death. But more broadly, it was seen as addressing any of many hard-line clerics in Saudi Arabia and elsewhere in the region who hold a wide influence through television programs, university positions or Web sites. "Killing a human being is so easy for them, it is always an option," she told the AP. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100322/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_gulf_poetry_of_protest Here is a copy of the poem loosely translated in The National: “I have seen evil from the eyes of the subversive fatwas in a time when what is lawful is confused with what is not lawful; “When I unveil the truth, a monster appears from his hiding place; barbaric in thinking and action, angry and blind; wearing death as a dress and covering it with a belt [referring to suicide bombing]; “He speaks from an official, powerful platform, terrorising people and preying on everyone seeking peace; the voice of courage ran away and the truth is cornered and silent, when self-interest prevented one from speaking the truth.” http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs....703189836/1040 Here is a muslim voice. Now you see the next time someone complains that the Swedes or the Danes have somehow insulted Islam I will point them towards Hilal. She at least has proven that ALL artists should be free to express themselves in whatever way they choose. To give in to the minority of nutters is to give into thought policing and allow artistic expression to be highjacked. (too bad she isn't a sciforum member) The truth is that its the truth that offends this particular minority and Hilal exposes negligent rhetoric without making stupid excuses for them. To hell with them!Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
