Do you think it is too harsh to flog a woman for drinking beer?

@scheng1 (24650)
Singapore
July 24, 2009 5:56am CST
A Malaysian woman, a Muslim, was caught drinking beer when police raid the nightclub. Muslims are not allowed to drink any alcoholic beverages. This Malaysian lady was charged in Shariah High Court and sentenced to flogging to six strokes. Usually flogging with rattan cane was reserved for guys guilty of more serious offence, such as rape. It was very rare to flog a woman, and just for drinking beer. In an interview with the media, she said that she accept the flogging, and hope that it would be over soon. I think she's really unlucky to get such a judge who has a reputation of being tough with people who drink. Do you think it is too harsh to flog a woman for drinking beer?
2 people like this
3 responses
@rosdimy (3926)
• Malaysia
25 Jul 09
This is a sensitive issue, as it relates to religious beliefs. Most of the punishments in the religion were already part of the system. Many seems to be harsh, but there are strong arguments for it. Another thing to remember is that in the religion punishments are not supposed to be meted out without proper investigations. Unfortunately in many parts of the Islamic world decisions were made without following proper procedures. In the case of the woman she was caught in the open, and admitted to it. If she had done it in private, she could escape the punishment, since it would be harder to prove her guilt. I am not offended, nor angry. Sometimes we have to listen properly to understand the situation. Side-tracking a bit to illustrate this point, Muslims have been ridiculed for not eating one particular animal. There is something that it carries and cannot be killed with medication. Now a world wide spread of a fever associated with it is causing fear among some people. By the way he full name betrays her true origin.
2 people like this
@scheng1 (24650)
• Singapore
25 Jul 09
Hi Rosdimy, this case is very special in the sense that she is the first and only woman flogged in Malaysia for violating religious beliefs. That's why the Muslim communities in Malaysia are arguing over this. Once there is a first, there will be a second, and flogging can become a norm for women violating religious law. There is no doubt about the sin. She admitted as much. The argument is in the sentencing. The newspaper (Singapore) mentioned that most of the times, fine of RM5,000 was imposed for drinking. Flogging is not even common for men who drink. To flog a woman, that is the first in Malaysia. I think the debate will continue within the Muslim communities.
1 person likes this
@rosdimy (3926)
• Malaysia
25 Jul 09
I have no doubt that the debate will continue. If it does on here, I hope it will be on intellectual grounds, instead of based on emotional or prejudiced thinking. There is a provision for flogging. I can only speculate on why so far men have only been fined. Maybe because the spent the time in clubs or bars, whereas the lady flaunted her disregard towards the religion she claims to profess.
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@lampar (7584)
• United States
24 Jul 09
That is just fact of life living under Islamic law. In Malaysia, two set of laws are implemented on their population , one for the Muslim and the other for the non Muslim. The religion court judge has the authority to render judgment and whatever punishment he seem fit, even though he is not God, he believed he is the chosen one and all Muslims believe in him too in dealing with the interpretation of sharia in the Koran. I had seem a young university couple got public canning for meeting each others in the girl's dorm room in Indonesia few year ago by their religion court, it is appalling to see all those onlookers cheered while the religion department officials carried out the sentence. In Singapore, its government and people are much more civilized and educated than many of its neighbors. My friend, you are fortunate to live in Singapore.
2 people like this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
24 Jul 09
I do think it is too harsh, but I have no say in the matter and they don't care about my opinion. It's their religion and whatever we think of their laws and punishments, we have to accept their right to administer it as they see fit. The woman had a choice whether to obey her religion's laws or break them and she chose to break them. I'm sympathetic to her but she did make the choice. I hope that it's not too bad for her when her sentence is carried out.
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@scheng1 (24650)
• Singapore
24 Jul 09
Hi Dragon, actually those Muslims feel it's too harsh, that's why it comes out in the news. I think that judge must think he is god or what, those guys who raped are sentenced to flogging, but hardly any woman is subjected to such harsh punishment. I hope the one who does the flogging can be kind to her.
1 person likes this