James DeMeo's OBRL-News Blog

AKI - Adnkronos international Italy: Muslim women literally living in chains claims rights activist*   

http://www.adnkronos.com/AKI/English/Religion/?id=1.0.1876380527               

Italy: Muslim women literally living in chains claims rights activist

Rome, 14 Feb.(AKI) - Association of Moroccan Women in Italy president, Souad Sbai, claims that some Muslim women in the north of Italy are being kept chained up in their homes.

"In northern Italy, there are women that live chained at home, from the kitchen to the bathroom, without being able to open the door," said the leader of the women's group.

"In the North,[of Italy] there are 4 and 5 year old girls that wear the [Islamic] veil in the summer, and in the winter. This is the culture of male chauvinists, of fundamentalists - and nobody is shocked," said Sbai.

Sbai also claims that Egypt's Islamist Muslim Brotherhood organistion is slowly 'infiltrating' Italian politics.

Sbai also pointed the finger at many "imams that are ignorant, that are butchers, and have harmed the community."

Her declarations took place during the presentation of a new book by Italian journalist Giuliana Sgrena, 'The cost of the veil - Islam's war against women'.

Sbai praised Sgrena's book as "a gift to all Muslim women, for those who suffer, and those who are dead."

Sgrena was held hostage in Iraq in 2005. Her release was secured by Italian intelligence officers, one of whom was shot dead by US soldiers when their vehicle came under fire at a checkpoint as he was escorting Sgrena to Baghdad airport at speed.

// posted by James DeMeo @ Monday, February 18, 2008