Abby Husfeldt: Discussion Leader 11/22/10

11/22/10

1) Why is there not a universal copyright/regulations to follow? Why do you think some countries stricter?

**Some countries simply have more money to put into regulations.  Another reason, following the same aspect of money, would be that they have more money to put into the authorities to help enforce those rules.  It would seem to be better to have a universal copyright law.  Other countries probably have similar regulations to follow but again do not enforce the laws like other countries including America, who seem to have strict regulations.

2) Why do you think Sultan only does his pray practices once a day?  How long do you think he has had this thinking?

**I think it started at a younger age when he started to get into his business.  He is just not strict with his religion.  Many others do not attend church services every Sunday, etc.  Sultan believes he must work hard for his money instead of praying to his God for all that he has accomplished.  He had mentioned once that going to Mecca should not be for prayer, but should be attended to thank Allah.  I believe that this deals with his thinking towards regular prayers as well.

3) Do you think any of the arranged marriage regulations/ideas go too far?

**There are many different aspects that you could choose from including: the women not being present in the room while discussing the marriage proposal, rarely choice of marriage partner, women appearing cold and distant until they are married, and if a bride is unwilling is a good sign and indicates a pure heart.  The two aspects regarding the women’s feelings toward the marriage and husband seem odd.  To have a bride that is unwilling does not seem to have a good sign, at least not in America. Otherwise, arranged marriages usually do not take in consideration of the females interests so the aspect of the girls not being present seems “reasonable”. 

4) Which of the Taliban’s 16 rules do you think go too far? Which ones are silly/bizarre? Why?

**Prohibition against kite flying, playing drums,and British and American hairstyles seem silly.  These three rules seem to just be about what you can and can’t do for enjoyment or freewill.  One rule that seems to go too far would be for shaving one’s beard.  It seems harsh to have a rule that regulates how one should maintain their presence with one’s facial hair.  If it were simply just a rule to not shave it could have been a little more reasonable, however, it specifies that it should be the length of a clenched fist.  Another one that goes too far is the prohibition against female exposure and what it entitles.  It states that females who are not decently covered and accompanied with a close male relative is also implied and seems a bit over the edge.