“When you appointed your humble sister to lead this nation, you not only chose the first woman to govern your nation. You also shone a bright light on Islam by being the first modern Muslim nation to elect a woman as its Prime Minister.”
Excerpt from the last speech of former Pakistan Prime Minister, Benazir Bhutto.
"I lied about my past, but of course I did tell the Liberal Party"To think some people are now comparing this stateswoman and leader to a migration fraud and neo-Conservative opportunist like Ayaan Hirsi Ali.
Ayaan Hirsi Ali on Dutch TV.
Words © 2007 Irfan Yusuf
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3 comments:
Wasn't Benazir Bhutto, friend to Alan Jones and Western in her 'practice' of Islam, twice sacked as Prime Minister of Pakistan? Wasn't her entire political career tarnished with allegations of corruption?
Far be it for me to speak ill of the dead, but let's not be revisionist. Bhutto's death was both tragic and abominable, however creating a false legacy is hardly appropriate.
In verbum nostrum veritas.
Augustus
I agree with Augustus. Both women are impressive (and remarkably brave) but neither are perfect.
Benazir Bhutto supported the Taliban in the 1980s but was undoubtedly the best person to lead Pakistan at this time.
I disagree with Ayaan Hirsi Ali on economic issues and her support of Bush. But she is right to speak out against the Islam she has experienced.
And both have been targeted by Islamic extremists. Let's hope Ayaan Hirsi Ali does not meet the same fate.
It's true that they are very different ideologically in that BB was a devout believer and Hirsi Ali is a devout atheist, but in other regards there are parralels (probably not in the way that is suggested by the people you mention). Both the offspring of powerful feudal men who fell down on their luck, and paradoxically both are said to have worshipped their fathers, even though HA is now famously estranged from hers. Both with dangerous US political alliances. Both seem to tell and perhaps even believe the version of reality that suits them at any particular moment. And frankly BB could teach anyone a thing or two about opportunism. In the last months of her life, she exceeded the most cynical of expectations in that regard.
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