This article from msnbc explains a new ruling in Gaza city offered by the Hamas, a radical Islamic movement. The governor announced today that inmates can reduce their sentence by one year by memorizing five chapters of the Quran. I think that this is a very interesting idea, something that would never fly in the U.S. that's for sure. This culture's religion is very much a part of their lifestyle so memorizing passages from the holy book seeks to encourage good behavior from these inmates. However, it seems to easy a task for some convicted prisoners that have commited especially heinous crimes. Also, part of this article mentioned that the Hamas , which is made up of mostly men, wants to add 100 women to the Gaza police force. I think this idea is great to empower the women of that country who normally don't work in that profession.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20149731/
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So much for separation of church and state, but it seems like in this region the people are okay with that connection. The people who committed serious crimes probably have a life sentence or at least something long enough that a year won't make much of a difference. Think what difference this might have to the prison culture with inmates struggling to memorize part of the Quran; it could certainly be a different scene. I worried that the Hamas going into power would create yet another tyrant in the Middle East but if the things mentioned in the article are a few of the changes the Hamas is making then I have no reservations about that group.
I am curious if this might be similar to inmates in America getting their GED or even a college degree (not sure if that is true or not) while they are incarcerated. I wish there was a way for inmates to do some kind of real community service while they are in there, hopefully so they can learn some values, ethics, morals, even if not associated with any particular religion.
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