ISIS releases guide to ‘women’s rights’

ISLAMIC State in Iraq and the Levant militants have published a manifesto for women living under their rule, including marriage at nine, education to the age of 15, and an escape from the harsh dictates of Western feminism.

The document, published only in Arabic and translated by the anti-militant group Quilliam, says it is wrong to deny a woman education but that “the greatness of her position, the purpose of her existence is the divine duty of motherhood.”

The document stresses that it is supportive of women’s rights — just that it has a different view of why she needs those rights compared with the West.

It says women should be educated because they cannot fulfil their duty if they are illiterate or ignorant. However, the curriculum it advises focuses strongly on religious education, with sidelines in basic science, and “skills like textiles and knitting, basic cooking.”

“Yes, we say ‘stay in your houses,’ but this does not mean, in any way, that we support illiteracy, backwardness or ignorance,” the document says.

Its curriculum ends at 15, but the document points out that it has not stopped women going to university, and allows them to become doctors and teachers. It also clarifies that women can fight jihad in the event of a special fatwa being issued.

On marriage, the document takes a hardline position — based on contested teachings about the life of the Prophet Mohammed and his youngest wife, Aisha —that it is legitimate for a girl to be married at the age of nine.

“Most pure girls will be married by 16 or 17, when they are still young and active,” it continues. “Young men will not be more than 20 years old in those glorious generations.”

It does not rule out women’s employment absolutely, but says her job should not exceed three days a week, and must not involve “more than she is able to endure.”

Although Western attitudes to women’s rights are condemned on virtually every page, its provisions in some areas would make even the most enlightened Swede weep with joy.

Meanwhile, Jordan vowed further retaliation against ISIS for the burning alive of one of its pilots, as thousands rallied in Amman yesterday in solidarity with his grieving family.

The Jordanian military said “dozens of jet fighters” struck ISIS targets on Thursday, hitting militant training camps as well as weapons and ammunition depots.

Foreign minister Nasser Judeh told CNN the operation was “the beginning of our retaliation over this horrific and brutal murder of our brave young pilot.”

IS earlier this week released a highly choreographed video of the horrifying murder of pilot Maaz al-Kassasbeh, whose death has sparked grief and deep anger in Jordan.

Judeh declined to reveal Jordan’s military plans but said it would hit the militants with all its might.

“We’re upping the ante. We’re going after them wherever they are, with everything that we have,” he said.

“We’re going to go after them and we will eradicate them . . . We are at the forefront. This is our fight.”

American F-16 and F-22 jets provided security to the Jordanian fighter planes, with additional support from refuelling tankers and surveillance aircraft, US officials said. — The Telegraph-AFP.