‘He’s permitted to hit her’: Alarming video appears to condone domestic violence
30 MINUTES AGO APRIL 13, 2017
AN alarming video shared by an Australian Muslim women’s group appears to give the green light to domestic violence.
The clip, shared to Facebook by the Women of Hizb ut-Tahrir Australia, a well-known radical group, shows a panel discussion between two members discussing Islam’s teachings regarding a man disciplining his wife.
The woman leading the conversation, who is identified as Sydney techer Reem Allouche, says a man is permitted to hit a woman, and fellow panellist Atika Latifi, agrees.
“He is permitted, not obliged to, not encouraged, but permited to hit her,” Ms Latifi says.
The women go on to describe the permissive text as “beautiful” and “a blessing”.
“It’s very evident that this is symbolic in nature and it’s not as what people have understood or what people would like to hve understood,” Ms Allouche says. “This is the reality.”
Discussing exactly is permitted when it comes to hitting a woman, the panellists demonstrate lightly striking each other with a small stick and a rolled up piece of fabric.
“Striking shouldbe done in such a way as not to cause harm or pain. It’s a symbolic act,” Ms Latifi says.
Reem Allouche (left) and Atika Latifi speak at a Hizb ut-Tahrir conferenceSource:News Corp Australia
Addressing what sort of act by a woman would justify “striking”, the women agree “committing sin” and “disobedience to the husband” would require disciplinary measures.
“Immoral acts or cheating. Admitting anyone to the home that the husband doesn’t like,” Ms Latifi says.
“It’s not like a simple argument. These are serious things that can break up the family unit.”
Ms Latifi also said the Koran suggested three measures for men to deal with their wives: “Advise them first, leave them alone in bed, and hit them. It’s simple.”
She goes on to clarify that all three steps should not be taken “at the noe time”, and hitting “should not cause pain.
The discussion, recording at an all-women’s event in Sydney’s west, according to The Australian, followed controversial comments made by Muslim leader Keyser Trad who argued in a television interview that Muslim men could hit their wives as “a last resort”.
Introducing the discussion, Ms Allouche said : “It needs to be placed in context.”
Hizb ut-Tahrir is known for spreading extremist views and was previously under consideration by the federal government to be banned.
