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Veiled
Venus
By Sher
Khan
MohammadJamal
al Din takes a deep breath before he finishes the last stitch. He is
atailor by profession and faced no problem making a burqa for this
marble statue.The 61/2 ft tall sculptor was the most recognizable works
of art from theancient world. The statue, with its elegantly twisted
pose and missing armssymbolized the goddess of beauty and love. Former
citizens of this countryproudly named this beautiful lady,Venusde Milo. Current Islamic Government has decided to bring all
statues of thiscountry in one place and blow them into pieces. Problem
arose when Mullah officials noticed thegraceful body ofVenusishalf-naked. They ordered Mohammad Jamal al Din to make a
burqa and cover up thewhole body ofVenusto
ensure Muslimsare not offended by seeing her unsheathed body while she
is being moved.
A job well
done, thinks Mohammad Jamal al Din. He decides to reward himself for the
nice job and plans to eat his lunch at Kaisar restaurant. Once it used
be squeaky clean and a very sophisticated restaurant, now it has lost
its glamour. Like the city itself, most of the chairs are dirty, a pool
of water standing under the broken sink. Mohammad eats quickly and
loudly. After every bite he licks his five fingers with a swirling
noise, a strange and uncivilized act that could have surprise other
customers, 20 years ago. Mohammad Jamal al Din is a very religious
person and tries his best to follow every step of his prophet. According
to Sahih Muslim, it’s recommended by the prophet to lick all fingers
before cleaning or wiping the hand. After lunch, Mohammad goes back to
work to veil a few more statues.
On
his way home, Mohammad Jamal al Din had to stop at Rabbani mosque for
evening prayer. All prayers are mandatory in this country and defaulters
are often whipped for non-compliance. Rabbani mosque has a very unique
feature with 1010 feet high tower that holds several loudspeakers to
call for prayer. Once known as Eiffel tower it does not attract any
tourist nowadays. At night, it stands like a giant monster without
sodium-vapor lights that used to illuminate the beautiful tower. It has
not been painted for years, showing decayed metals here and there.
Mohammad
Jamal al Din catches a bus after the prayer. There is no place to sit
inside of the bus, most of the riders are standing inside or sitting on
top of the bus. Mohammad also climbs the ladder and finds a place on the
roof. In this year of 2090, City of
Faris
is overcrowded and inefficient government has done nothing for the
citizens. Faris is an Arabic word, meaning horseman or a knight. Twenty
years ago, at the beginning of Islamic movement, suicide bombers used to
ride horses and blow themselves up in the middle of the crowd. To honor
those brave souls, it was decided that the name of this city would be
changed to Faris.
This also helps the Arabs, the new masters of the country to pronounce
it. They do not have "P" in their alphabet. 1400 years
earlier, they changed Parsi into Farsi when they invaded and subdued
Iran.
At
the beginning of this century, this country had a population of about 60
million of which 10% or 6 million were Muslims, far more than 2% of
protestant and 1% of Jews. Although 83% of population were Roman
Catholic, their birthrate was awfully low, merely .35% compared to 3% of
Muslims. At the end of 2070, Muslims from all over the country moved to
five Northwest regions. Soon high birthrates and the flood of Muslim
immigrant outnumbered others.
This country has a history of up and
downs. Julius Caesar successfully conquered most of the territory in 58
B.C. Waves of Viking assaults in 800 AD broke this country into many
regions. The Hundred Years War with
England
also weakened the strength but they were able to drive the English out
in 1453. The bloody religious war of 16th century caused to
end Roman Catholic hierarchy and give Protestant believers the freedom
to worship. The great revolution began in 1789 and ended with
guillotining the king and queen in 1793.
First and second world war shattered the whole country. During
1643-1715, she was the dominant power in
Europe
. In the following centuries, this country lost the grip of
Europe
but became a colonial power.
Despite the vulnerable situation,
this country remained a symbol of culture and civilization until 2070,
when Islamic movement became fierce. Problem started at the beginning of
this century when both extremely liberals and radicals failed to manage
Islam properly. Jean-Marie Le Pen, leader of the National Front Party
wanted to expel all foreigners from the country including all Muslims
whereas the ruling government wanted to secularize Islam. Government did
not realize that a hippo may become as skinny as a Giraffe through diet
control or a rattlesnake may become a house pet but Islam cannot be
secularized. Interior minister, Nicolas Sarkozy planned to educate and
train all Mullahs. A theological institute was created and permission
was given to open several private Muslim lycée (or high school). Slowly
more Islamic colleges and Universities were created that taught a
seemingly peaceful Islam. Most of the Muslims were poor and they did not
have any representative in politics. Government encouraged them to get
involve in politics and at the end of 2020 Muslims had their own
senators.
People
of this country bitterly remembered the bloodbath of 16th
century due to religious conflict, since then a tolerant attitude
towards other religion became a part of the culture. If only they knew
most of the religions can cohabit peacefully but Islam. Historically
Islam maintains a peaceful image in adverse condition but it abruptly
changes to conquering mood as soon as it gains strength. Islam does not
have the adaptability to mix with other cultures; it only survives as
parasite until gaining dominance. An innocent image of Islam is only a
strategy that waits for the right time to show its ugly face. Whenever
Muslims become the majority, they demand their own nation and isolate
themselves from other faiths.
Islamists
skillfully used the limitation and weaknesses of democracy and the
ideology of human rights. Since 1989 the issue of headscarf, a sign of
female suppression caused uproar and controversy. Islam tends to go
backward and follows “Sallaf”, an Arabic word, which means,
“recall to tradition”. At the end of the 19th century,
many Islamic movements, specifically, a radical group called GIA was
inspired by the doctrine of “la Salafia”. Nevertheless all Muslims
are obligated to practice a primitive culture of 7th century
and seek their own territory.
By
the time Mohammad gets home, three of his wives are pulling each
other’s hair, literally. To bring the situation under control,
Mohammad had to show his Islamic authority; he kicked his first wife,
spank the second and throw third wife on the wall. Its’ a daily event
in Mohammad’s life, honestly he enjoys this part of his family matter.
Neighbors never complain because they practice the same technique
anyway, it’s also not illegal to beat the wives for police will be
called.
Within
last ten years, devastating economic and political condition of Faris
went out of control. Most of the people live below poverty level;
non-Muslims, who had the expertise to run industries and commerce, were
forced to leave the country. A few non-Muslims still live in some areas
but they pay a heavy amount of Zijya tax. On last Friday of each month,
non-Muslims make a long line in front of the Rabbani mosque, bow the
Imam with subjugation and pay the money. To make a distinction between
Muslims and non-Muslims, Catholics wear red bandana, Protestants wear
yellow and Jews are forced to shave their heads.
Peculiar
economic system and barbarian culture of Islam has ruined this country
that was on peak of the civilization. History repeats itself, the
chaotic situation somewhat resembles the condition of 18th
century and demands for another Victor Hugo to write a new “Les Misérables”.
Thinkers and writers of 18th century changed the way people
used to think about economics, political philosophy and religion. Being
critical of orthodoxy, these philosophers revolutionized the world. But
Islam did not produce another Victor Hugo, and it never will.
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