I came upon this article on marriage in Lifestyle magazine run by the daily star. The magazine overall gives out a vibe of liberal modernity but once in a while articles like these are thrown in which highlights the the utter propaganda, ignorance, and unfairness that is still prevalent in Bangladeshi media. In regards to the article these two paragraphs are of interest:

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Muslim marriage

Marriage registration is a must in Muslim matrimonial law. Verbal and written consent of the bride and the groom in front of the Kazi or marriage registrar and four witnesses, generally males, is essential to validate the marriage. Two of the witnesses are chosen from the bride’s side and two from the groom’s side. The woman should be at least 18 and the man 21.

It is essential that while the matrimonial document or kabin is prepared, the wife must be ensured of her right to divorce, lest the need for such, ever arises. If this clause is overlooked during marriage then she may lose her right to apply for a divorce or remarriage.

Hindu marriage

Marriage is a religious ceremony for the Hindu community and one of the ten Sanskars of the religion.

A Hindu marriage does not need to be documented, as it is a religious rite.

The bride is accepted (by the groom) and granted (from her parents) keeping the god as the witness. Other than that there is no formal role of witnesses. As long as the husband is alive he will be a god for the wife. On the other hand the wife is also the better half of the husband or Ardhangini.

In Brahma marriage, the most prevalent one, the father gives away his daughter with dowry to the groom in the presence of a priest. The bride’s consent is not taken into consideration. The bride should be 18 and the groom 21.

Wearing shankha and sindur is not a must according to the law but it is a social custom. Many liberal Hindu women do not follow this custom nowadays.”

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Source: http://www.thedailystar.net/lifestyle/2008/11/01/page02.htm

The writers knowledge of both religions is laughable at best. The glaring animosity of this person towards Hinduism and the overwhelming glossification of Islamic wedding rites is painfully obvious. And the demeaning attitude of the writer toward Hindu wedding customs is appalling.

The way the author states that the “man will be a God” to Hindu women is ridiculous. Oppression of women in religious texts is common but for this writer to vilify Hinduism while glossing over Islam is unforgivable.

“Men have authority over women because God has made the one superior to the other, and because men spend their wealth to maintain them. Good women are obedient. They guard their unseen parts because God has guarded them. As for those among you who fear disobedience, admonish them and send them to beds apart and beat them.” Sura 4:34

Some might see my proclamation as hate but it is a bitter fact that most Bangladeshi peace-loving Muslims do not follow/ignore.

The way the writer tries to talk about ensuring the women’s right to divorce in Islam is laughable. Also the writers view that Muslim marriages mandate a women’s consent while a Hindu women’s consent is not necessary is utter vitriol when what goes on in practice could not be further from what this hateful person stated.

The writers grasp of English is that of a grade 4 child’s, while his knowledge of his own religion and that of the religion of others seem to be the indoctrinated vitriol that has been passed on for generations. He is a mere ignorant parrot. What more can be expected from an illiterate fool.

However it angers me that such a magazine could publish such ignorant slop. It has no credibility any longer. The editors of the magazine are petty hypocrites. Sometimes truth can be seen as hateful but it has to be backed up by facts. That was not the case in this article.

The majority of Bangladeshi Muslims do not have such demeaning outlooks on their Hindu neighbors. But when media and magazines project ignorance and lies it effects the peace and indeed will create a community filled with tension.

My personal opinion of religion is that it has mostly been a vehicle for oppression but that oppression is broken when the people following the religion do so with a higher regard for humanity and less of a regard for scriptural obligations.

Tags: Bangladesh biased media, Bangladeshi media, Hindu Marriage, Lifestyle magazine, Muslim marriage