Looking for Cheesecake in the Muslim World

David Weigel | January 17, 2007

Craig Malisow has an odd story in the Houston Press; Pakistani-American Mariyah Moten participated in a Miss Bikini World shoot in China, and let herself be photographed with a Pakistani flag. She graced the cover of a cheesecake calender. And while Malisow tries to sex the story up, the point seems to be... no one cared.

As Miss Canada Pakistan founder Sonia Ahmed says, "They have opened up the women' s rights, and women are now free to do what they want and dress how they want, and represent Pakistan in whichever way they feel they want to represent Pakistan. It's becoming more secular."

After the firestorm over Moten, Ahmed says, she's entered contestants in four pageants without a peep from Pakistani officials. She says it's part of a cultural shift that, at times, can be confusing.

"The majority right now is a modern and liberal government," she says. "The people are now confused...thinking, 'OK, we were once upon a time very Islamic, now we've got to be modern. So if we're going to tell everyone that we're Islamic, are we going to be the bad people?'"

This is, of course, the most promising news you could apply to the future of Iraq in quite a while.

UPDATE: Nick Gillespie noted Moten last year, when it appeared as though the model and her deep thoughts might actually prove controversial.

Comments

|1.17.07 @ 10:18AM|#

This is, of course, the most promising news you could apply to the future of Iraq in quite a while.

Why is that, exactly?

Especially in light of this week's reports that 40% of the middle class moderates - the ones most likely to lead such an optimistic shift in tolerance - have left the country over the past 18 months.

|1.17.07 @ 10:22AM|#

When I visited Pakistan, many years ago, the only women I saw were beggars. So sad. The fact some in Pakistan is trying to move into the 20th century, despite intolerant and violent opposition is lauded by me. I wish them well.

|1.17.07 @ 10:33AM|#

make that, are trying, vice "is trying".

Proofreading your own writing should be done verryy slowly.

|1.17.07 @ 11:02AM|#

Yet another "Iraq is doomed because I hate George W. Bush, and I hate George W. Bush because Iraq is doomed" tie-in from David Wiegel. Tride, redundant, tired, boring.

I do note the hopeful optimism that there wasn't murderous outrage swarming the notoriously thin-skinned fanatics replete in Islamic world over this gross violation of Shari'a law. Then again, the outrage over cartoon jihad didn't erupt until after a few Danish imams decided to press forward with their Islamic outrage tour. Give them time! They'll find a new way for one billion Muslims to be insulted and humiliated over this. It's the one thing they do well.

Well, that and suicide bombing. And Kuran recitation. And executing rape victims. Islam rules!

|1.17.07 @ 11:16AM|#

Minor correction. It's the Houston Press, not the Houston Voice.

|1.17.07 @ 11:19AM|#

Yet another "Iraq is doomed because I hate George W. Bush, and I hate George W. Bush because Iraq is doomed" tie-in from David Wiegel.

1. I didn't catch that...Weigel's closing statement isn't any more or less critical of ira than anyone else's who's NOT a Bush administration stooge...including lot's of now-disillusioned pro-war hawks.

2. One doesn't have to hate Bush to worry that Iraq might be doomed. Casual observation mixed with modest knowledge of Middle East history are enough to credibly establish that possibility.

3. One doesn't have to consider Iraq doomed to hate Bush. Casual observation mixed with a basic knowledge of the Bill of Rights and an awareness of Bush's sanctimonious, condescending and defensive mangling of the English language in virtually every speech are enough.

VM|1.17.07 @ 11:21AM|#

(Madpad - just ignore "the Dry Cleaning" he's batshit insane. And he'll call you a "progressive")

Minaret of Freedom

metalgrid|1.17.07 @ 11:37AM|#

Yet another example that exporting capitalism and the benefits of modernism is a far better counter to Islamism than exporting our soldiers.

|1.17.07 @ 11:42AM|#

She's Pakistani like Eddy the Eagle was a ski jumper.

brian423|1.17.07 @ 12:08PM|#

I wonder why Weigel and Gillespie feel the need to deny any significance to the story. Why do they snark about a bikini model's "deep thoughts"? Why do they claim that she caused no controversy, when, in fact, she did? Are these guys just too cool to acknowledge the power of the female form? I'm used to seeing this posture in pseudoliberal prudes, but not in social libertarians.

|1.17.07 @ 12:31PM|#

Lamar,

True enough, but she's more Pakistani than Obama is black.

|1.17.07 @ 12:38PM|#

Don't be fooled by my contest money
I still give you nihari-flavored kisses honey

|1.17.07 @ 2:02PM|#

Madpad:

I didn't catch that...Weigel's closing statement isn't any more or less critical of ira than anyone else's who's NOT a Bush administration stooge...including lot's of now-disillusioned pro-war hawks.

Give me a break. Wiegel's a broken record in regards to "Iraq is fucked and Bush is EEEEEEEEEEVVVVVVVVVIIIIIIILLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!" He's the most boring, repetitive, and partisan writer on H&R.

And why did you add in the comment about "pro-war hawks"? Did you assume I was one simply because I dislike Wiegel's boilerplate Bush-hate? I think you've spilled some nuance on your blouse.

One doesn't have to hate Bush to worry that Iraq might be doomed. Casual observation mixed with modest knowledge of Middle East history are enough to credibly establish that possibility.

Casual observation also indicates that constant portrayal of Iraq as a colossal screw-up, no matter how decietful or disingenous, is a wonderful way to get in delicious digs at the pig Bush.

One doesn't have to consider Iraq doomed to hate Bush. Casual observation mixed with a basic knowledge of the Bill of Rights and an awareness of Bush's sanctimonious, condescending and defensive mangling of the English language in virtually every speech are enough.

Casual observation also indicates that Bush's haters (and they hate him, these upright and eternal enemies of hate speech) are orders of magnitude more sanctimonious and condescending than Bush could ever dream to be, as Bush is simply too stupid to be as pompous and snot-nosed as they are.

In any case, you're not addressing the issue that I've raised. Everyone knows that Bush's success and legacy depend wholly on the success of the Iraq war. This is why those who hate Bush have a vested interest in making the war be as awful for Bush as possible, and all other considerations and consequences are a distant second because Bush is defined as the enemy, or perhaps the head of the snake. And this is why Wiegel's ilk has to insist on "informing" us at every possible moment that Iraq is an exercise in American dumbassery: they think they're defeating evil by doing so. It's so stupid.

Your comment about Bush's mangling of the English language is indisputable. Listening to Bush speak is like running a portable electric belt sander over my ear drums.

|1.17.07 @ 2:43PM|#

I wish I lived in the Bikini Universe. Can someone help me get a visa?

|1.17.07 @ 2:46PM|#

Loundry:

Correction, Iraq was getting fucked under Saddam Hussein. Under GWB, Iraq is getting gang raped. The president may not be evil, but if he was, would we notice the difference?

|1.17.07 @ 2:50PM|#

Larry Edelstein,
I wish I lived in the Bikini Universe. Can someone help me get a visa?

I don't know about the bikini universe, but there is an SF novel titled Bikini Planet by David Garnett. http://trashotron.com/agony/reviews/garnett-bikini_planet.htm

|1.17.07 @ 3:30PM|#

J sub D wrote:

Correction, Iraq was getting fucked under Saddam Hussein. Under GWB, Iraq is getting gang raped.

This kind of comment is considered "witty" (and probably nuanced) to people who hate Bush. Since I don't share your hate, it sounds like typical moral equivalence that Bush-haters chant with regularity. Boring, boring, boring.

The president may not be evil, but if he was, would we notice the difference?

What's the point in discussing it with you? How about I just write, "I hate the pig Bush!" and earn the precious badge of sophistication? That certainly would be a lot less effort on my part and would yield much less drama coming from you.

|1.17.07 @ 3:55PM|#

Loundry,
Wiretapping.
Torture.
Disregarding internationl treaties.
Gitmo.
Maybe not evil, but awfully stupid wouldn't you say?

Do you really think the Iraqi people are better off today than they were priot to the "Coalition of the Willing" invasion and occupation? Please tell us all why.

To everybody else, I know, don't feed the trolls. My apologies.

|1.17.07 @ 6:08PM|#

Loundry,

There are too many Republicans who have turned on Bush for your "Bush Hate" theory to work.

|1.17.07 @ 7:12PM|#

Loundry,

As a barely Republican-leaning individual, can I please inform you that you are doing your side no good? Bush is a tool, the Iraq War is a complete failure, and anyone defending either is a complete Kool-Aid drinker or a complete idiot. Please consider this next time you post.

|1.17.07 @ 7:17PM|#

Thanks Jd. Taking my fat ass down to the local used sci-fi-fantasy-mystery bookstore in search of "Bikini Planet" might be the most important thing I do today.

|1.18.07 @ 9:41AM|#

jf,

As a barely Republican-leaning individual, can I please inform you that you are doing your side no good?

And what, pray tell, is "my side"? Did you assume that I must be a Republican since I disike the incessant chant of Bush-hate that has never ceased since 2000? I think you spilled some nuance on your blouse as well.

Bush is a tool,

Wow, I've never heard that before!

the Iraq War is a complete failure,

Wow, I've never heard that before, either!

anyone defending either is a complete Kool-Aid drinker or a complete idiot.

I feel so informed reading your nuanced and sophisticated use of English! I really don't know what I would have done without you.

Sarcasm off.

Did you stupidly assume that since I dislike the incessant chant of Bush-hate that I must be defending Bush? Did you moronically assume that since I don't share the Bush-hate then I must have voted republican and be some kind of partisan? Stupid!

Have you ever considered that some of the people who hate Bush are "Kool-Aid Drinkers"? Must you either worship Bush or hate him? Is there no middle ground?

|1.18.07 @ 9:58AM|#

J sub D

Wiretapping.

I oppose it on principle, but the issue is more complex than the word "wiretapping" itself can convey.

Torture.

I fully support waterboarding of the mujahedin. I also support the killing of the mujahedin, each and every single one of them. If anything, we need to be more vicious in this regard, not less. At this point, the Bush Administration has been obsequious in regards to the evil religion of Islam, and that acquiescence to political correctness has severely damaged our military effectiveness. "Progressives" are like Bush in this regard, but ten times worse.

Disregarding internationl treaties.

Can you be more specific?

Gitmo.

I support the use of Gitmo to imprison, interrogate, and waterboard mujahedin captured in foreign countries. Then again, if we defeated our enemies, then perhaps Gitmo wouldn't be necessary. Hard to say since we won't pursue the morally right policy of utterly defeating our enemies.

I stridently oppose the gross violations of the rights of American citizens, even that bastard Jose Padilla (who should be tried for treason). The deprivation of constitutional rights of American citizens is one of the worst things that Bush has done in his idiotic "war on terror".

Maybe not evil, but awfully stupid wouldn't you say?

I think the Bush administration's policies are colossally stupid, not to mention weak. The moronic "nation building" we're doing in Iraq is destined to fail. We need to destroy America's enemies, period, and that principally means Iran. Tehran should be destroyed first, and we should heavily propagandize in Iran which city will be next if they don't completely surrender. In other words, we should start doing to America's enemies of the present what we did to America's enemies of the past, namely, Germany and Japan, who, after being utterly defeated and their cities lying in smouldering ruins, now propser as our allies. By contrast, the enemies to which we choose to "negotiate" and have "diplomacy" with parade missles in their streets chanting "Death to America!"

Do you really think the Iraqi people are better off today than they were priot to the "Coalition of the Willing" invasion and occupation? Please tell us all why.

I don't give a shit about the Iraqi people. We should fire-bomb fallujah and leaflet which city will be next if they do not completely surrender. Actually, we should get out of Iraq and focus our military on Iran. I fully support the civil war in Iraq and I hope it intensifies.

Oh, I'm sorry, did you think I was a Neo-Con? That's your full-blown sense of "nuance" compelling to you speak when you can't think outside of your world in which there are only two sides, and your side is right by definition.

To everybody else, I know, don't feed the trolls. My apologies.

I'm sure my opinions must seem disgusting to you, and, in that sense, I must look like a "troll" to you. I'm not doing this to get a negative reaction out of you, though I can probably merely open my mouth and someone as cowardly, weak, and compliant as you will be offended.

|1.18.07 @ 10:03AM|#

Lamar,

There are too many Republicans who have turned on Bush for your "Bush Hate" theory to work.

The Republicans who have turned on Bush don't necessarily hate him. They're rightly worried about their political careers. Parasites.

Contrast that with the many, many "progressives" who hate Bush and have done so since 2000. And their constant whining is no different from the Republicans who hated Clinton. It's a jerk-off session that, for idiotic reasons, passes as "intelligent political discourse".

|1.18.07 @ 4:45PM|#

Where the hell is Joe? He should be smacking down on Loundry by now.

|1.19.07 @ 5:23PM|#

Where the hell is Joe? He should be smacking down on Loundry by now.

When the going gets rough, we can always count on a "progressive" to do what they do best: bitch.

And yet, where is this brave "Joe" of whom you speak?