Are multiculturalism and women's rights mutually exclusive?

Interesting article in today's The Independent by Johann Ari called "How multiculturalism is betraying women". He cites a number of German court cases where judges have considered a woman's cultural background when trying men for spousal abuse:

A Lebanese-German who strangled his daughter Ibthahale and then beat her unconscious with a bludgeon because she didn't want to marry the man he had picked out for her was sentenced to mere probation. His "cultural background" was cited by the judge as a mitigating factor.

Bit of a false dichotomy, I think. Asshat judges aside, there are a lot of benefits to multiculturalism, as evidenced in Canada. But the question of accomodating cultural values that differ from established mainstream is a thorny one. The article highlights an issue that has gained a lot of media attention, especially since the proposed inclusion of Sharia law here in Ontario. What I don't like about Ari's article is that it fuels anti-Muslim sentiment by failing to address that the problem is not a religious one per se, but the result of biased cultural interpretation of religious doctrine. It's no different from right-wing Christians cherry-picking Biblical references to support their personal political viewpoints regarding abortion or gays. I agree, however, that the members of various Muslim communities need to take a more proactive role in condemning discrimination and violence against women, and speaking out against those who would justify that behaviour on religious and cultural grounds.

Are you a credulous animal?

Man is a credulous animal, and must believe something; in the absence of good grounds for belief, he will be satisfied with bad ones.
Bertrand Russell (1872 - 1970), Unpopular Essays (1950), "Outline of Intellectual Rubbish"

Oh, and speaking of animals (credulous or otherwise)...pic is from a great site I found today that archives old photographs.