We should not absolve Islam of the crimes committed in its name

Rod Liddle says it’s difficult to ignore the fact that the worst violations of human rights happen in countries dominated by an Islamic ideology

A young girl in Bangladesh has been sentenced to 101 lashes for having become pregnant as a consequence of being raped. Her father will also have to pay a fine to the local Islamic savages who presided over the case. The rapist was pardoned by the village elders. The girl, who married shortly after the attack, has since been divorced in the usual peremptory Islamic manner.

Yes, yes, I know; the point of journalism is to tell you things you didn’t know or might not have guessed, on the man-bites-dog principle. If that principle were to be applied here, the rapist would have got 20 years in prison and the victim afforded compensation and counselling. You read the words ‘Islam’ and ‘Bangladesh’ and ‘rape’ and you knew exactly what was coming. Savagery and misogyny and a reversal of what we might call natural fairness. The girl was 16 years old and she said ‘all I want is justice.’

Bangladesh is often held up as an example of an Islamic country where the usual savageries do not hold sway. It holds elections sometimes! It elected a woman prime minister! Its human rights record is sort of appalling but there are far worse countries to worry about! So, give them a biscuit, someone; well done Bangladesh.

Incidentally, when Bangladesh isn’t being touted as a modern, progressive Islamic state the mantle sometimes falls upon Malaysia (which, in truth, has far greater claim to it). But try renouncing Islam in Malaysia and see how far you get: interminable court proceedings and the likelihood of a jail sentence at the end.