The new Palestinian Minister of Culture declared that he will fight "moral decadence" in Palestinian society, represented by belly dancing, a culture of nakedness, and alcohol. He also said that he won't force the women employed in the Ministry of Culture to wear the hijab, but he will try to "convince" them. (in Arabic)
I'm sure he can be quite persuasive.
It's a shame that the Islamists are the only political group that has this broad understanding of "culture." Who is going to stand up to them? Who is going to risk the accusation of being pro "moral decadence"? Who is going to question their definitions and classifications?
When I taught at Al Najah University, I tried to show some films to my students--films like "Pride and Prejudice" "Emma." But I was told by the Chair that I can't show certain scenes: for instance, no kissing scenes, and no scenes showing women in those low-cut empire style dresses. My dear students even designed a special cardboad cutout that I could put in front of the projector to block out the offending scene. I protested, called it censorship, and refused to show the films altogether.
The point of the above story is that when they are talking "moral decadence" and "nakedness," they are not talking about strip clubs, nude colonies, and porn industry (non of which exist in Palestine). They are not talking about sexual abuse, domestic violence, lying leaders (all of which exist in Palestine). "Moral decadence" can be listening to un-Islamic music, giving an un-Islamic wedding, and wearing un-Islamic color.
What worries me is that people like to say that Palestinian society is "secular" and will never embrace such an agenda. This is how these people, mostly men, justify their passivity, silence, and, eventually, complicity.
Enough to say that in Gaza, an unveiled woman is referred to as "3aryaneh," which translates into "naked."
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