Saturday, March 04, 2006
Before somebody decides to ask why I blog this late, I should mention that I'm a big night-person. It's my time to think, to ponder about this and that; anything and everything.
The issue of Mukhtar Mai, a rape victim in Pakistan, has bothered me for quite a while. She was 'ordered' to be raped by the village council to compensate for her brother's action whom was found guilty of befriending the daughter of a landlord.
Obviously, the case was blown wide open and presented as another case of how women are mis-treated in the Islamic world.
One of the legacies of the colonial rule left behind in most countries and especially the Muslim ones, is the removal of self-belief. As a result, the laws that were brought in during the 18th century colonial times still form the basis for most justice systems. Terribly outdated even at the time of conception, they have now become obsolete and should have long been sent the way of mullets ie. into extinction.
In Pakistan, three different kind of rules govern the land. The first one is a mixture of colonial and archaic regulations not even fit to govern a tribe of gorillas followed by the Islamic courts and lastly the un-recognized village councils or more appropriately the 'council of the idiots.' These councils make decisions based on hundreds of years of cultural practices that are so far from logic that it truly boggles the mind.
Coming back to the Mukhtar Mai story. Many a newspapers and media were quick to label this practice a product of Islamic societies. What many don't know is that after the rape, the one man who fought tooth and nail to bring the case to the attention of NGOs and women right groups when the entire village refused to act in fear was none other than an imam (the leader of the mosque).
After the involvement of authorities and the issue going international, the suspects were quickly arrested only to be released for 'insufficient evidence.' The case was then brought infront of the Islamic courts, which found the men guilty and ordered the death penalty. But this decision was overturned by the secular civil courts once again.
Shazia Khalid was a doctor in the army who was raped by a superior officer. Her claim was denied and she was actually labeled a 'prostitute' in order to tarnish her reputation.
Why in the world would a Muslim woman claim to be raped when she wasn't? Considering the stigma that's attached to rape victims, I think any woman that comes forward should be believed outright.
No doubt, these women are victims who need support from the community instead of being ostracized. I truly don't understand why the society shuns them? So what if she was raped? If anything, we should have people *fighting* over who gets to marry or take care of them.
The issue of Mukhtar Mai, a rape victim in Pakistan, has bothered me for quite a while. She was 'ordered' to be raped by the village council to compensate for her brother's action whom was found guilty of befriending the daughter of a landlord.
Obviously, the case was blown wide open and presented as another case of how women are mis-treated in the Islamic world.
One of the legacies of the colonial rule left behind in most countries and especially the Muslim ones, is the removal of self-belief. As a result, the laws that were brought in during the 18th century colonial times still form the basis for most justice systems. Terribly outdated even at the time of conception, they have now become obsolete and should have long been sent the way of mullets ie. into extinction.
In Pakistan, three different kind of rules govern the land. The first one is a mixture of colonial and archaic regulations not even fit to govern a tribe of gorillas followed by the Islamic courts and lastly the un-recognized village councils or more appropriately the 'council of the idiots.' These councils make decisions based on hundreds of years of cultural practices that are so far from logic that it truly boggles the mind.
Coming back to the Mukhtar Mai story. Many a newspapers and media were quick to label this practice a product of Islamic societies. What many don't know is that after the rape, the one man who fought tooth and nail to bring the case to the attention of NGOs and women right groups when the entire village refused to act in fear was none other than an imam (the leader of the mosque).
After the involvement of authorities and the issue going international, the suspects were quickly arrested only to be released for 'insufficient evidence.' The case was then brought infront of the Islamic courts, which found the men guilty and ordered the death penalty. But this decision was overturned by the secular civil courts once again.
Shazia Khalid was a doctor in the army who was raped by a superior officer. Her claim was denied and she was actually labeled a 'prostitute' in order to tarnish her reputation.
Why in the world would a Muslim woman claim to be raped when she wasn't? Considering the stigma that's attached to rape victims, I think any woman that comes forward should be believed outright.
No doubt, these women are victims who need support from the community instead of being ostracized. I truly don't understand why the society shuns them? So what if she was raped? If anything, we should have people *fighting* over who gets to marry or take care of them.
Faraz Ahmed 2:00 a.m.
4 Comments:
Unfortunately, you may have noticed the way our people think at times never makes any logical sense. A woman who has gone through all that is considered 'damaged material' and what's even worse, she is somehow held responsible for what happened too. Imagine the pain she goes through as each person puts the blame on her for something she could *never* have wanted to happen.
:(
You know what disgusts me even more? Honour Killings.
Now, what in God's name are these people thinking?
:@
:(
You know what disgusts me even more? Honour Killings.
Now, what in God's name are these people thinking?
:@
Hey Faraz,
Howz it going? I do have a lot to talk about the topic of your post.Infact, ever since Mukhtar Mai's case came up even I have been following it pretty closely but right now there's only one thing I want to mention. Towards the end of your post, you mention that "we should have people *fighting* over who gets to marry or take care of them." This is one thing I dont understand. In most societies and esp in our sub-continent, why does the soceity start making decisions for a raped woman. Why should the community decide as to who gets to take care of her. Its almost like she has lost the right to make decisions for herself just because she has been raped. Another thing that really disgusts me is that a community feels its doing the right justice and restoring back the lost dignity to a raped victim by getting her married to the person who raped her. That's the worst thing you can do to her. Imagine spending your entire life with the very same person when he should actually be rotting in some jail.
Howz it going? I do have a lot to talk about the topic of your post.Infact, ever since Mukhtar Mai's case came up even I have been following it pretty closely but right now there's only one thing I want to mention. Towards the end of your post, you mention that "we should have people *fighting* over who gets to marry or take care of them." This is one thing I dont understand. In most societies and esp in our sub-continent, why does the soceity start making decisions for a raped woman. Why should the community decide as to who gets to take care of her. Its almost like she has lost the right to make decisions for herself just because she has been raped. Another thing that really disgusts me is that a community feels its doing the right justice and restoring back the lost dignity to a raped victim by getting her married to the person who raped her. That's the worst thing you can do to her. Imagine spending your entire life with the very same person when he should actually be rotting in some jail.
Yeah anonymous, I agree that the woman is viewed as 'damaged goods' which personally makes NO SENSE to me because how is it her fault?
And don't worry, I've added 'honor killings' on my list of things to blog about :-)
Swetha, I think there's been a bit of mis-understanding. By no means should the society take charge of the affairs of a raped woman.
It's pretty common that raped women don't go public because it becomes a stigma of sorts and marriage tends to become very difficult for them because well, as anyonmous said they are 'damaged material' now.
Also, the victim should not be forced to marry the rapist becuase that would be even worse than rape itself.
What I meant to say was that a person should not even consider the rape as an issue if they are interested in someone who went through such an ordeal.
Personally, I have much much respect for a woman who goes public about being raped because that shows utmost courage and I would insha Allah NEVER hold that against her if I was interested in marriage.
And don't worry, I've added 'honor killings' on my list of things to blog about :-)
Swetha, I think there's been a bit of mis-understanding. By no means should the society take charge of the affairs of a raped woman.
It's pretty common that raped women don't go public because it becomes a stigma of sorts and marriage tends to become very difficult for them because well, as anyonmous said they are 'damaged material' now.
Also, the victim should not be forced to marry the rapist becuase that would be even worse than rape itself.
What I meant to say was that a person should not even consider the rape as an issue if they are interested in someone who went through such an ordeal.
Personally, I have much much respect for a woman who goes public about being raped because that shows utmost courage and I would insha Allah NEVER hold that against her if I was interested in marriage.
You write about "other" cultures yet here in N America my daughter was the victim of a date rape and when she gave birth to the child conceived as a result of this despicable act, the courts gave visitation rights to the"father".
Yep that's enlightened 21st century culture for you!
Yep that's enlightened 21st century culture for you!