I am always revolted when Islamic leaders, from Afghanistan or elsewhere, deny the very existence of female oppression, avoid the issue by pointing to examples of what they view as Western mistreatment of women, or even worse, justify the oppression of women on the basis of notions derived from Sharia law.
Interpretation
The quote criticizes Islamic leaders who deny female oppression while justifying it through cultural or religious arguments.
Khaled Hosseini expresses his disgust at leaders in the Islamic world who refuse to acknowledge the oppression faced by women. He highlights the hypocrisy in their arguments, which either deflect responsibility by referencing Western mistreatment or attempt to justify oppressive practices through interpretations of Sharia law, thus ignoring the very real suffering experienced by women.
In practice
This quote can be used in a speech advocating for women's rights in Islamic countries.
You're gutless. It's how you were made. And that's not such a bad thing because your saving grace is that you've never lied to yourself about it. Not about that. Nothing wrong with cowardice as long as it comes with prudence. But when a coward stops remembering who he is... God help him.
There was brotherhood between people who had fed from the same breast, a kinship that even time could not break. - Amir
I don't outline at all; I don't find it useful, and I don't like the way it boxes me in. I like the element of surprise and spontaneity, of letting the story find its own way.
And that's the thing about people who mean everything they say. They think everyone else does too.
Perspective [is] a luxury when your head [is] constantly buzzing with a swarm of demons.
The desert weed lives on, but the flower of spring blooms and wilts.
Every religion curbs women rights to some extent. Some countries acted against religions and put a ban on wearing hijab, which was also a violation of human rights.
Many countries do not allow women to convey their nationality to their children - if they are single mothers, the children become stateless.
I address a strong appeal from my heart that the dignity and safety of the worker always be protected.
To deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity.
Stateless people are hidden. During the 2011 refugee crises, it was obvious that people were fleeing Somalia and Libya - there was a lot of international attention. Statelessness goes undetected because stateless people are in legal limbo and are afraid to show up.
Women's rights are an essential part of the overall human rights agenda, trained on the equal dignity and ability to live in freedom all people should enjoy.
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