A WOMAN IN AFGHANISTAN.

Afghanistan. The land of the Taliban: the land of much conflict. A place where the once mighty forces of Russia succumbed to the small but irresistable combatants in the hills. A place where, according to George W Bush, Al Qa-eeda terrorists found a safe hiding place, and a convenient springboard to launch their terrorist attacks against the western world. Especially in the wake of the 9/11 World Trade Centre disasters, George W Bush had a very powerful argument to get Congress to approve his requests for billions of U S Dollars to root out terrorism in all its forms. His search for WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION knew no boundaries, and the world shall not easily forget his policy of, "If you are not with us, you are against us!"

But amidst all the chaos and destruction that the former U S President has left in his wake, where do woman in Islam fit into this? What does the future hold for a woman in a land like Afghanistan?

I saw the other day one of the electorates, a lady by the name of Sima Matin appearing in Public. She had on , what looked like a scarf on her head, and a casual style of dress that was no where near to the conventional Hijaab or Purdah that is sometimes synonymous with Muslim women in Muslim countries. But what is expected of women as far as Islam is concerned. Can they be liberated in their dress code?

Looking at a woman from a male perspective, I would say that any beautiful woman who knows that she is beautiful, and also knows how to carry herself, does have an effect on any full-blooded male admirer. Especially if she reveals those body parts that has been proven through the ages to allure and seduce the opposite sex.

BARACK OBAMA AND THE NUCLEAR CRISIS

I listened to Barack Obama's speech on stopping Iran and Korea from continueing their nuclear weapons manufacturing , and, I felt somewhat disturbed in thinking how he would endeavour to bring an end to this stalemate, especially as far as Iran is concerned.

The western world has till this far managed to call a truce, albeit a tentative truce with one another concerning nuclear proliferation. However, Israel on the other hand wants to take out all the nuclear sites in Iran and, she has even called on some of the Arab states to help her in her quest.

Barack Obama has thus far managed to maintain his political dignity, unlike George W Bush , who, through sheer arrogance, or call it what you will , managed to incur the wrath of the world, by his infamous statement, "If you are not with us, you are against us! (sic) We shall then proceed to search for weapons of mass distruction in your country!

We all know what he has done to Iraq. Is a similar fate awaiting Iran? What do you think? Is Obama going to follow in his predecessors footsteps?

I sincerely hope not. But something needs to be done. Something soon. Iran insists she is not enriching uranium for nuclear weaponry. The western world does not agree. But where lies the answer?