December 6, 2010 3:30 PM

Gadhafi Tries to Woo Italian Gals to Islam

(AP)  Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi, in Rome to attend a U.N. summit on world hunger, has hosted a soiree with some 200 young Italian women and tried to persuade them to convert to Islam.

A reporter for Italy's ANSA news agency went undercover with the women, who were hired for euro50 ($75) by a modeling agency for the event Sunday evening. Journalist Paola Lo Mele said the women assembled at a hotel, where some where left behind because they were not tall enough or dressed modestly enough.

Those accepted were taken to a Rome villa, where Gadhafi lectured them on women's rights and religion, and urged them to convert to Islam. Lo Mele took pictures before and after the event, showing the women carrying Qurans they received as gifts.

© 2010 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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by chelokee November 17, 2009 4:17 AM EST
This guy is a wacko. He travels around the world spouting his warped version of government called 'Islamic Socialism'. Does Italy remember that in 1970 he ordered the expulsion of all Italians from Libya! Hey Gaddafi-GET A REAL JOB DUDE.
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by burneb November 16, 2009 11:14 PM EST
Being lectured on womens rights and religion by Gadhafi is like being lectured on table manners and etiquette by flying monkeys.
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by prajaowain November 16, 2009 7:25 PM EST
I don't just hate Islam, I hate all of the worlds stupid insane religions and their influence on culture and politics. Christianity with it's crucified god and canibalistic communion is retarded. These are the ideas that hold back human progress and development. the sooner they go away the better we all will be.
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by prajaowain November 16, 2009 7:24 PM EST
I don't just hate Islam, I hate all of the worlds stupid insane religions and their influence on culture and politics. Christianity with it's crucified god and canibalistic communion is retarded. These are the ideas that hold back human progress and development. the sooner they go away the better we all will be.
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by mikestretchland November 16, 2009 6:05 PM EST
Islamhaters are as much part of the current problem as religious fanatics are. Both are equally ignorant and misinformed about the truths.
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by bluharley November 16, 2009 5:50 PM EST
Sure, take beautiful women and convert them so you can cover every inch of their beautiful bodies and strap a bomb on them. That will work, huh?
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by jsilver2th November 16, 2009 4:28 PM EST
With looks like that he couldn't woo my dog.
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by Brokennews November 16, 2009 3:50 PM EST
I know enough Italian women to know that the first time some Arab dude puts a ritual beatdown on his Italian wife, he probably won't wake up in the morning.
At the very least he won't have need for women anymore. (Think Bobbit)
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by cleric60 November 16, 2009 2:37 PM EST
Within the faith tradition of Islam there are many sects/cultures/communities, who practice culural traditions that are not taught in the Quran. Instead of saying that "Muslims" treat their females like second class citizens you may want to go to this website and inform yourself on the role of women in Islam. www.islamfortoday.com/women.htm
Interestingly, many South American females are converting to Islam. Why????
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by John_Merritt November 16, 2009 9:31 PM EST
Good sir, the reason why they are converting to Islam is that the religion in and of it self is good. The fact the women are treated as women, they have roles, they have rights, they are fed, they are clothed, they are treated with dignity as long as they know their place. They are treated not as 2nd class citizen but part of a large family, as long as they behave themselves, don't credit the community, their family, their husbands and their religion.

For the most part that is a far cry better life they are presently leading in South America where a tomorrow is never assured and they have little say or empowerment. They, like all of our women, are looking for stability and security and Islam offers that with some caveats. It is a far better life than they presently lead.
by burneb November 16, 2009 11:32 PM EST
I have observed Muslim treatment of women in five predominately Islamic countries, and it still comes down to treating them as limited-class citizens like children. Yes they have roles, some rights, material support, etc. as long as they "know their place" (just like darkies in the deep South USA for most of our history).

"Their place" of course, and their expected "behavior" is totally determined by men, usually men with perverted notions that would be classified as derangement pathologies in functional societies. Functional societies allow women to determine their own place.

So go ahead and examine all the websites, Islamic literature, etc. you want. If you are a person who retains control of their own intellect, and get past the BS, you find that the closer you look, the worse it looks.
by displeased November 16, 2009 12:22 PM EST
I imagine the lecture on women's rights was very short.
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