Talking Points for 4 March

Mourners lay wreaths at the site

The Sri Lankan cricketers have returned home and the hunt is on for the gunmen. A reward has been offered for more information. If urdu and cricket were what really united a country as diverse as Pakistan, what happens now?

 

William Dalrymple paints a grim picture of the year since the elections.

On Air: Is the response to Sarah Palin sexist?

Hi, it’s James here. With Ros off to the US, i’m stepping up to the mike to host the discussion today.

Following her speech to the Republican convention, lots of you have been talking about Sarah Palin here on the blog, so today we’re going to run with it on air.

Talking points for 23 April

Good morning, although there are a few stories around this morning – and I’ll get to them in a bit – nothing grabs me as a huge talking point, so we’ll probably ask “Do Muslims treat women badly?” It’s already got you talking on the blog so it we should definitely get it on air.

Do women need positive discrimination?

Yes, says the Norwegian government which has a law insisting that 40 per cent of company directors must be female. And this is isn’t just about equality – it argues that the economy will benefit as well.

Should Islam allow women to conduct marriages?

Hi, I’m Mohamed Gade. I’m doing work experience with WHYS at the moment. I’d like to ask you about this story. An Egyptian 32 year old called Amal Solayman Afifi has become the first female to be given permission to conduct Islamic marriages in Islamic history. Do you agree with the appointment?