Afghan President Karzai supports Ulema Council’s Shariah law document, which allows husbands to beat wives and encourages segregation of men and women, forbids women from traveling without male guardian

President Hamid Karzai’s Tuesday remarks backing the Ulema Council’s document, which allows husbands to beat wives under certain circumstances and encourages segregation of the sexes, is seen as part of his outreach to insurgents like the Taliban. Women’s rights advocates are concerned women’s rights are being sacrificed in the process.  Among the rules: Women should not travel without a male guardian and women should not mingle with strange men in places like schools, markets or offices. Beating one’s wife is prohibited only if there is no “Shariah-compliant reason,” it said, referring to the principles of Islamic law. “The clerics’ council of Afghanistan did not put any limitations on women,” Karzai said, adding: “It is the Shariah law of all Muslims and all Afghans.”

Via:[http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-501712_162-57391555/afghan-president-backs-strict-guidelines-for-women/]

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