Marthe Mennes of the Green party insists: “The fact that she doesn’t want to be photographed has absolutely nothing to do with any religious reason, I don’t understand where it comes from.”
Meanwhile, back in Leila Puthanah’s native Afghanistan, the “Taliban has ordered the suspension of broadcasts from the state-run ‘National Television’ in Kandahar, due to the airing of ‘living beings images.'”
Is Marthe Mennes really sure that this has nothing to do with religion? And if it does, shouldn’t the compatibility of that religion with Western values be a topic that is at very least open for discussion?
“Controversy in Tienen: Green candidate uses AI-generated image for campaign,” translated from “Controverse à Tirlemont: une candidate Groen utilise une image générée par IA pour sa campagne,” by Marc Coppens and Kristien Bollen, 7sur7, September 10, 2024 (thanks to David):
On the Green list in Tienen for the upcoming local elections, a candidate of Afghan origin is presented with an avatar. Leila Puthanah, a 32-year-old employee of a local second-hand store, chose an AI-generated image instead of a traditional photo. The only question is: why?
“A lot of noise because someone doesn’t want to put their head on a poster, I think there should be more of them doing that,” says Tom Roovers, alderman and head of the Green list in Tienen for the upcoming local elections. “Leila is running for the Green party and wants to fight for ecological values. We are happy about that. In our country, the candidates decide for themselves how they run their campaign. That has always been the case. It was Leila’s own choice not to be photographed, and we respect that. What matters to us is her commitment.”
When we asked Leila why she did not want to be photographed, she did not want to answer. Some suggest that it could be linked to her religious beliefs. Aged 32, Leila arrived in Belgium several years ago after fleeing her home country, Afghanistan. “If Leila does not want to respond, it is because she is completely overwhelmed by the situation,” explains Marthe Mennes, spokesperson for the Green party. “She is completely overwhelmed by what is happening to her. I find that very sad.”
“The fact that she doesn’t want to be photographed has absolutely nothing to do with any religious reason, I don’t understand where it comes from,” Mennes continues. “Apparently, it’s a rumor that has gained momentum. Leila herself regrets that this connection is wrongly made. The Green party is the party that defends justice, equal rights, and the freedom to decide for oneself,” the spokesperson explains.
“It is Leila’s personal choice not to appear in a photo, and we respect that. We are not going to force her hand to pose for a photo. That’s not how we operate at the Green party. And if we go back a bit, when Green was still called Agalev, we never had candidates on our posters until 2000. If some people don’t want to do that today, we accept it,” she continues.
Nevertheless, the idea of presenting an Afghan woman with a stereotypical image of a veiled woman is unfortunate to say the least. “We were not aware that Green Tienen had opted for this solution,” explains Mennes. “We understand that they did it with the best intentions, but it is indeed very clumsy. They should not have compensated for her choice with an image generated by AI,” concludes Marthe Mennes.
somehistory says
It’s either due to her “religious” belief, or she is a wanted fugitive and doesn’t wish to be identified by her mug shot. Names are frequently changed to help the guilty.
Rarely says
Maybe she’s just real ugly.
somehistory says
They are all ugly. But many have their photos plastered across the whole internet.
Palestinian Red Crescent Society says
“They are all ugly.”
No Golden Rule for you, eh?
࿗Infidel࿘ says
Or she’s a guy? 😈
Bruce David Watt says
it seem in the media every Muslim has at least 4 different names they go by.
somehistory says
Yes, it does seem so, Bruce David. And so many are named after the fake prophet, or a variation of that name.
James Lincoln says
Yes, somehistory.
And incredibly difficult to spell – and pronounce.
rick says
I take it she is opposed to Government issued photo voter ID cards
Nabil Bissada says
“Belgium: Afghan Muslim migrant candidate refuses to be photographed, AI image used for campaign”
it’s a religious purpose according to the Koran and the Sharia law.
Does her passport is with no picture?
Does her I.D. card is with no picture?
Does her citizen ship as a Belgium with no picture?
No picture means any woman can use her documents
She is using with her organization the democracy, human rights and the freedom by the way to spread their Islam devilish religion.
The Muslims are trying step by step to Islamize Belgium, Europe, and the western countries.
The Muslims women in any Muslims countries must have a picture for their official documentation.
OLD GUY says
It’s simple no picture no votes for her. but then again the muslim population probably exceeds the number of Belgiums non muslim population. I hate open borders.
gravenimage says
Belgium: Afghan Muslim migrant candidate refuses to be photographed, AI image used for campaign
………………………………
Of course this is Islam:
The Hadtiths:
Abu Talhah reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “The angels do not enter a house in which there is a dog, nor an image in a likeness.” Abu Talhah said, “The Prophet means by likeness an image of living souls.”
Source: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 3225, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2106
https://www.abuaminaelias.com/dailyhadithonline/2013/05/13/malaikah-surah-tamathil-kalb/
࿗Infidel࿘ says
Is Vlaams Belang still running strong in Flanders? And do they have their counterparts in Walloonia who oppose islam as well?
sporticus says
Like Hamas, she has learnt the art of media “exposure” (ha!).
She will be remembered.
In the next electoral cycle she will do a public unveiling which will generate a lot of attention all around the world. To bad if she looks like Muslima Tlaib.