In Defense of Islam

Your review of Betty Mahmoody’s book “Not Without My Daughter” (The Book Review, Nov. 1) never informs us of whether Mahmoody sought to exercise her rights under the Sharia Islamic Law. As curious as the lack of protection for women in international law might seem to the reviewer, it is an old problem in the Western system. Islam, however, guarantees women’s rights. Moreover, the Iranian authorities seem to have been aware of her husband’s unsuitability to care for her and her daughter: The reviewer tells us in a subjectless, passive sentence that they acted to protect the daughter. One would not blame them for being concerned about the suitability of a woman who worries over the absence of Saran Wrap more than the war and a battered economy. The review appeared to me to leave out material points in order to contribute to anti-Islamic and anti-Iranian prejudices. In my view, such reporting is a breach of your public obligation to inform the public so that the public may decide.

STEVEN T. ABDUL KADER

San Pedro