"How to beat your wife" on Al-Jazeera TV

This is no joke.

The caption on the left reads "I once heard someone say that whenever he has a problem at home, he has a very long rod like this [a pool cue]."

Memri.org explains:

"Jasem Muhammad Al-Mutawah, an expert on family matters in Islam, hosts a show on Saudi Arabia's Iqraa TV. In one episode, Al-Mutawa discussed wife-beating while holding a 10-foot pool cue which he said some couples keep in the home. The following are excerpts of one episode; to view in RealPlayer, [click here]."

Memri.org explains the whole thing (and includes more still frames of the broadcast, such as this:)

"What is the cure for these mental illnesses? Beatings! He must treat her harshly!"

Unbelievable. How often does the media report on the widespread sanctioning of abuse against woman in the middle east? When will western feminists take Islam on?

[found via Catholic-Caveman and Julie D.'s excellent blog roundup]