Abby Husfeldt: Discussion Leader 11/29/10

1) Is the history of Afghanistan that is mentioned throughout the book overwhelming/ inconvenient or is it insightful and helpful information?

 *This question is solely based on the reader.  However, so far in the book it has been useful for learning about the Muslim/Afghanistan history.  Sometimes in the book it flows farely well and I hardly notice it.  Other times it seems to drag on for a while.  Overall, the history that is put in is a very helpful tool to use to understand why they live the way they do and I believe that is the main reason as well that the author put it into her book.

2) How come in the Afghani/Muslim culture, and other cultures as well, is the blame for sexual interactions heavily weighted on the woman?

 *I believe that this goes back, at least for Christians, to the Adam and Eve story.  In that story, Eve is seen as a temptress.  Also, many see the woman using seduction to lure the men.  However, in this book, it is mentioned that Afghan woman would be the only one to blame and not the man.  This seems to be a cultural idea that has stuck through the years.

3) What were some reasons why Afghanistan disliked the Muslim terrorists? Did you know that Afghani’s view terrorists with false/negative outlooks?

 *In the book it is mentioned that there is a passage in the holy book stating: "You must not pray in a mosque built by terrorists."  The author also goes on to add that Real Muslims are not terrorists, because Islam is the most tolerant of religions.  "Terrorists are false Muslims."  I did not know that Afghanistan had this view upon terrorists or at least the Afghani's who were mentioned in this book believe this.  It is an interesting viewpoint to bring up in the book.

4) When Mansur prays at Mecca, why does he focus on the country’s prosperity's instead of individual prayers?

*It turns out that Muslim's love their country of origin.  They take great pride in their country and their country's prosperity's as well as their own.  It seems that when Mansur prayed he wanted to show his love and dedication to his country, religion, and family because they are all one.  It may be something that us, as Americans, seem to simply overlook if and when we ever pray.