I wish Chahinaz all the best! Same with all oppressed women… but I’m inclined to believe that we’re all oppressed… even in the freest of countries. I know I’ve been shunned for saying I’m a Christian. Sadly, oppression in all of its terrible colors happens around the world in many ways. But it’s important that we stand up for our beliefs, no matter what they are.

This movie had an interesting premise, and Chahinaz asked interesting questions. Although some commenters thought that the San Francisco girl was not the best representative of the US, I think that (unfortunately) she was. She was from a conservative Christian background, she supported Bush’s policies overall, and she was mostly ignorant of Muslim culture. That does to be the view of most Americans, so even though I disagree with that view I have to say it is an accurate picture of the my country.

What I did not like was the depiction of France. Chahinaz kept exulting over the fact that no one stared at her on the streets of Paris. Well, try wearing a scarf and see what happens! France has many laws and customs that discriminate against people due to gender or religion. If she had tried to wear a head-covering, I think should would have seen that, like other nationalities, the French also believe that they have the right to tell women how they are allowed to look.

I really enjoyed this movie. The oppression of women creates poverty which in turn breeds more oppression. Ireland before the 90’s had never know prosperity, today it’s one of the wealthiest nations in the world. The laws that were changed to uphold women’s rights were a great boost to this prosperity.

I thought Chahinaz asked just about all the right questions, she showed frustration which was rightfully placed and a lot of intelligence, curiosity, and a willingness to understand the world around her. We couldn’t have asked for a better guide.

I wish Chahinaz had the opportunity to talk to an American girl that was a bit less religiously fanatical and better educated than the one she talked to. That was an unfortunate ambassador.

Early in the movie we see Chahinaz saying that women’s rights are not a Western ideal, but later in the movie I think it becomes painfully obvious that it is. When the West turns it’s
back on Western ideals, we suffer tremendously as a society.

I wish Chahinaz and all Algerian women the best of luck in changing this ludicrous ‘Family Law.’ The separation of church (or mosque) and state is the single greatest guarantee that human rights get respected. We should be striving for this worldwide.