by JAMILA RIZVI
The video shows 22 year old Najiba, clothed in a grey shawl and sitting on the edge of a ditch. There are scatterings of men surrounding her and dozens further afield, watching the execution from a distance. Some are sitting on the rooftops of their homes, gazing intently at the spectacle.
You can hear verses of the Koran being read aloud and Najiba is condemned as an adulterer. A voice says: “we cannot forgive her, God tells us to finish her. Juma Khan, her husband has the right to kill her.”
A man approaches Najiba with an AK47 and he fires. He misses. He misses once more.
The third shot hits her body and is followed by several more, each of which hits its target.
There are then wild cheers from the onlooking crowd as Najiba crumples into the ground.
Truly horrific video footage has emerged of a 22-year-old Afghan woman who was killed in the centre of her own village, while her friends, family and community looked on.
Last week, Najiba was given an hour long ‘trial’, by the militant Taliban group of which her husband is a member. She was accused and ‘convicted’ of adultery by a group who still consider themselves to be the true rulers of Afghanistan.
The footage is incredibly confronting and distressing and we have chosen not to embed the video on Mamamia but you can watch it here.
Since the 2001 invasion of Afghanistan by the United States and allied forces, the rate of public executions by the Taliban has decreased. But it has not stopped.
I know this isn’t the kind of news you want to hear on a Monday. I have felt sick every minute since I watched that chilling footage. But this is news we have to hear. Because as we all complain about our electricity bills and buses that never seem to run on time or cold morning coffee – we forget that there are women in this world whose suffering we cannot comprehend.
I live in a beautiful and safe country – a country, which values women and treats them as equals.
My father was thrilled and supportive when I wanted to go to university. I don’t need permission from my male housemates to drive to work in the morning. I have access to contraception. My life is not at risk because I write about my own opinions for a living. And I will decide for myself who I marry.
My path in life is not controlled by the men around me. It will be one of my own choosing.
Most days I forget to reflect on how lucky I am.
This isn’t one of them.
Comments
173 Comments so far
I can’t say I enjoyed reading your writing, i doubt that anyone with a heart could, but thank you. Most women of Australia are free to make up their own minds on every facet of their lives, but delude yourself that we do not have those males in this country that rule over their female relatives lives because they say it is written in the bible (or other books). We hate oppression and should never look away.
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Thanks for publishing this story Jamila. It’s a horrible story but an important one and you wrote it with humility and tact.
This is the sort of stuff we should see more of on Mamamia. Thank you
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I wonder if she was able to say goodbye to her Mum and Dad. I wonder if her Dad and her brothers are crying for her. I wonder what were her last words to her little sister. I wonder if she now gets to rest in peace.
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This is why I shudder whenever I read or hear in the media about the possibility of Sharia laws being introduced into our democracy or when I see women who live in Australia wearing the niqab, which covers a womans face. I don’t mind the burqa, where a woman’s face can be seen, but the idea of a woman being covered by a niqab so her face cannot be seen, seems to indicate and reinforce the notion that being a female means to be hidden away and concealed. As if there is something shameful about being a woman.
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This story absolutely mortified me. I am so, so lucky that I just happened to be born here.
It also disturbs me that if you follow the link to the video, the top comments on it are “Allah is a faggot” and “This is why God made Napalm…burn all those basterds (sic)”.
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What a shocking story, it brings tear to my eyes reading and thinking about situations like these.
There is a book from Siba Shakib called ‘Afghanistan, where god only comes to weep’, it’s the story from a woman growing up and living in war raged Afghanistan. I cried half the time reading it, because it’s just so unfair basically.
When I read this post about this women who was shot because of adultery, my first thought was, that she probably didn’t even do anything wrong. A lot of women in these countries get accused of things they didn’t even do, but the men in their families assume staff and then there is no second chance, or resolving or trying to understand women in their actions.
Basically what I am trying to say is, maybe this women just spoke to a male, then one of her family members saw this, accused her of who-knows-what, which exaggerated into adultery, she can’t even defend herself because no one believes her, and we all know what happened next.
Sure I am only assuming things, however these thing happen unfortunately in countries where women have practically no rights what-so-ever.
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marijana, there is one thing you didn’t think of, her husband may have just wanted rid of her.
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Why is it that we rarely see criticism of these barbaric practices (including GM of girls) from “moderate” Muslims ? I’m sure they’re just as outraged and sickened by these things as we are, but where are their voices – their passionate words ?
Often, when I see a Muslim woman defending her proud status and her treatment by the men of her culture, I can almost see those men sitting behind her, coaching her in what to say.
We now have a female Prime Minister and no matter what you think of her politics or her handling of the job, she’s there partly because of the way our great-grandmothers dealt with the bashings and cruel abuse from the men in their time. They stood up and said “No more !”……..Slowly they took small steps and changed the future for the rest of us.
Is this what the women of those cultures (who mistreat their women) must do right now to save their great-grand daughters from the same fate ?……….I fear that it is.
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Some do, but most seem to prefer to remain silent on the subject (though no moderate Muslim with two brain cells can watch something like this and not condemn it).
Islam is not a religion you can question easily, let alone criticize or ridicule. Huge problem. Also, Muslims have a sense of humour about their own religion at their EXTREME peril. Says a lot, actually.
I’m an apostate. My family knows and my parents feel the same way, but none of us can ever, EVER utter a word about it to anyone outside the family because the repercussions would be catastrophic. We live in a modern democracy, which means no ones going to chop our heads off for this, but the culturally ingrained shame would probably put my parents into an early grave. They would lose their entire social circle and extended family. I’m farirly certain there are millions of people just like me, who are apostates in their heart, but Muslim in ‘culture’.
It saddens me that so many highly intelligent, highly educated, wonderfully warm and smart Muslim women I know continue to tacitly approve the edicts of this religion. Dissect the religion and it falls short, badly.
And I would argue the same for any other religion.
Be a theist, by all means. It’s a person’s private business what they choose to believe so long as it doesn’t interfere with the personal liberty of others. And don’t expect to be treated with respect by default, when you present a slew of obviously man-made laws and try and pass them off as ‘from a higher authority’.
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I think the most tragic thing about this is what it says about a society in which so many men and so many women don’t know what it’s like to have positive, trusting, respectful relationships with members of the opposite sex.
I’m so thankful for all the wonderful male role models and friends in my life. I feel sad that these cheering men were never taught how to respect and love women.What a tragedy, for them and for the all the little boys and girls living in that village, who see this kind of cruelty and absorb all the negative messages that entails.
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I can’t imagine living in a country where women’s lives are not valued and human rights come second to extremist religion. It is so sad what happened to that woman and the countless women and children (and men) who are tortured and/or killed due to their lifestyle – often very innocuous lifestyle.
Is it any wonder we have an intake of refugees – people are so desperate for a better, safer life here.
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The poor woman would’ve been so frightened especially after the first couple of shots missed her. She would be someone’s daughter, friend and maybe someone’s mother or sister. Absolutely disgraceful
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Perhaps this video should be circulated to all those who believe that our (and a whole bunch of other countries’) troops don’t belong in Afghanistan!
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Okay, here goes:
Best way to help the women in Afghanistan is to educate them. Under the Taliban, girls can’t go to school. Even in the parts of the country where the Taliban are less prevalent, schools are often for boys only. One person who is changing things is Greg Mortensen. Through him, nearly 200 schools have been built throughout Afghanistan, mainly in the rural areas and those heavily dominated by the Taliban. You can read about the wonderful work he has done in the book “Three Cups of Tea” or visit the website of the same name (sorry, can’t post link or comment vanishes). Mortensen has established the Central Asia Institute http://www.ikat.org and you can go donate there if you don’t have time to read Mortensen’s books (or others as suggested below) but still want to help.
In addition to all the usual reasons why building schools in poorer countries is worthwhile, it is particularly critical in Afghanistan because for decades now, the Taliban have been building and cultivating “madrassas”, which are purportedly schools (for boys only – girls don’t warrant an education) but instead of teaching literacy and numeracy the students are instead brainwashed with all of the horrific ideas that the Taliban espouse. This is why Taliban numbers are sustainable: because there is a constant flow of new recruits coming through the system. The Afghan people need proper schools; the only way through this mess is if the people are educated and thus empowered themselves to make the changes.
As mentioned below, if you are interested in further reading “Half the Sky” is definitely worthwhile (though gut-wrenching), and also does detail ways to help. In short, the best thing you can do is send some money so the wonderful people who are devoting their lives to improving others’ are able to continue doing so. *No amount is too small.* Second best thing is to then tell as many people as possible about all this (especially tell them you gave money yourself, as studies show this greatly increases the chance that others will also donate. No, it is not big-noting yourself, and Yes, I realise it probably goes against the grain to do so but you should. You really should.)
Hope this wasn’t so long that no-one reads it
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I did read it and it is a very valid point. I was just wondering how you get around the Taliban in order to educate women in the first place? Doesn’t going to school make them more of a target? I am DEFINITELY not saying they shouldn’t be educated, I’m just wondering how it would work with the current system and ensuring they are not put in even more danger. And also you were saying to donate- who runs this organisation, and where can we find out about it?
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Hi Mish,
Please bear in mind that I am not an expert, but I am happy to try to answer your questions. In terms of “getting around the Taliban in order to educate women”, it is certainly difficult in areas controlled by the Taliban. However, they haven’t been in government for ten years, so their reach is receding. Most Afghans live in rural areas (I think they have nearly 30 million people but only a million in their capital, the largest city), much of which is mountainous and difficult terrain to traverse, which is partly why there are insufficient schools but also why the Taliban aren’t ubiquitous.
Certainly when the Taliban were in power, girls were pulled out of schools and women out of all employment (save medical, since males wouldn’t be allowed to treat female patients). Now, though, it is my understanding that while the Taliban aren’t at all interested in educating females themselves, they aren’t as focussed on preventing girls from going to school. Their time/energy/resources are taken up with more important matters, like ensuring that women are always wearing burquas, or shopping chaperoned by male relatives, or being punished for adultery (remembering of course, that a woman is “adulterous” when she is raped or even out walking with a male to whom she is not related).
There are thousands of villages in Afghanistan that could use a school, and students, even girls, would be able to attend without being persecuted for it. Greg Mortensen has been building them for years now, and thanks to him and his dedicated teams at the Central Asia Institute, well over 60 000 children have been schooled through them. It is hard for the Taliban to interfere with these schools because the whole community is involved in procuring them: the village donates the land and villagers often labour for free or at a subsidised rate. Mortensen himself has come under fire recently for not being able to give written evidence as to where exactly all the funds go (I guess receipts aren’t standard practice in a country with 30% literacy) but don’t let that put you off donating.
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Greg Mortenson is not without his detractors – even so far as been accused of fraudulent dealings with his own charities funds.
Anyone donating to any NGO, please do your independent research first.
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Yes, Mortensen had a lawsuit filed against him which the judge dismissed.
I absolutely agree with checking to see where your money goes. For independent evaluation (although they’re very hard to please), I recommend:
http://www.givewell.org
As well as looking at financials, they consider how well programs actually work.
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Really great points! Education is, I believe, the most important thing to alleviate so many of the world’s problems, and something so quickly overlooked in favor of more drastic change from a top down level.
Although it we hear it often, awareness IS so unbelievably important and powerful. Letting people know that there is a way to do things, that you do it and that it isn’t out of reach to help can be just the thing people need to get involved. Telling people they aren’t the only one who care or are wanting to act (and assure them it will not be in vain), can make a huge difference.
Let’s not be remembered as the age of lazy armchair re-activism, because the difference between now and the past is that we have access to what’s happening, so really there isn’t an excuse. Anywho, off my soapbox now.
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I read this earlier at work but was not able to comment. I’m completely distraught about it. That poor woman, how cruel for her, what a terrible, terrible way to end a young life. May God Bless her, I just cannot imagine it.
What can we do?!?! What can we do!?
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I wanted to comment about this out of sheer disbelief – I feel speechless, and can’t believe that humans could do this to one another.
Before religion, politics, women’s rights or the details of what happened before these moments, how can one group of people stand by and allow this to happen, and how can one person do this to another?
What is life if you live like that? What an awful, awful way to live – for them and her.
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Brilliant post Jamila. Loved your thought provoking sentiments. So true, we are very lucky indeed.
My husband recently did some locum work at a detention centre and, through an interpreter, asked some of the Afghan men and women why they left their country to come to Australia? Every single story is heart breaking and they are all fleeing the Taliban. I was in tears listening to the stories my husband would recount.
One man was a poor farmer and had saved hard to buy a truck to drive his produce to market – the new truck was his pride and joy. He’d only had the truck a few days when the Taliban pulled him over at gun point and took his truck and produce from him. He was not upset by this, he just said to himself he would work hard again, save up and buy another new truck. And so he did – he saved up again and eventually bought another truck. Within a week, the Taliban pulled him over at gun point and stole his 2nd truck. So he saved up again, and again bought another truck. The Taliban tried to pull him over again at gun point – so he ran over them in his 3rd new truck. He is now a ‘marked’ man and obviously had to flee Afghanistan because he would be dead now. This is probably the least harrowing story my husband re-told – the ones the women and children would tell are just too awful.
We are certainly the lucky country!!!!
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It is so good to hear these stories of what their suffering is. Detention centers a not full of people who had been scheming of ways to infiltrate Australia and destroy our way of life. We ae very lucky here. If we had to live in those conditions, what would we do?
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Oops, by ‘good’ I meant ‘important’.
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Hi Jamila,
I posted a comment earlier today to try and tell readers what they can do to help women in Afghanistan. It hasn’t appeared – is that because I provided links to two other websites?
It was a fairly lengthy comment, but judging from the reactions of the other MM-ers, people want to know how they can help, and there IS a way.
Do I write it all out again, or is it maybe there in comment-limbo? And for future reference, are we limited to linking to one website per comment?
Cheers
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Hi EC
Our spam filter can tend to be rather over-vigilant at times! Try again. If it doesn’t work .. can you email me directly and I’ll come on and post the info to our readers on your behalf. My email is rebecca@mamamia.com.au
Sounds awesome by the way. It’d be terrific to highlight ways we can all help.
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Thank you Bec. I have re-posted but got a bit carried away and wrote even more this time; however, I limited myself to one link so it seems to have worked.
Feel free to take out the salient bits of info and add to Jamila’s post and then delete my comment
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I would like to hear about it too. It doesn’t make me feel great to say “how lucky am I to live in Australia!” and then leave it at that. Because then I look at my daughter and remember there are are amazing, intelligent, beautiful girls just like her who have mothers who adore them just the same as I adore my daughter… who are unfortunate enough to be born in the wrong country. And my heart absolutely breaks for them. Please do an update on this Bec.
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I agree with Tessa. This story is everwhere today and I was so upset by it but decided to read it on mm becuase I knew I would get something thoughtful and that’s exactly what happened. thanks Jamilla.
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This is so beautiful Jamila. Thank you.
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I just went to share this on Twitter b/c it’s something everyone should read and think about. But I ended up deleting it – I just couldn’t find the words, summing this up into a quick phrase seemed so glib and I felt like I was trivializing it. There’s just so much to say about this article and words have failed me. Thanks for publishing it.
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There are a few comments asking what people can do individually in response to this issue.
Although not directly related, one book I always point to in terms of raising awareness re the oppression of women in the developing world, and what can be done to address this, is the wonderful book :
Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide, by
Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn
As a result of reading it I regularly donate to a couple of charities it recommends, like Camfed
http://www.amazon.com/Half-Sky-Oppression-Opportunity-Worldwide/dp/0307387097/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1334611499&sr=8-1
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Thanks Marls, I’ll have a look at them.
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Completely agree, to understand women’s oppression and ways to help I can also not recommend this book highly enough!!
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I second (third) this book recommendation! It is a great book – thanks for thinking to recommend it Marls.
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This is disgusting…. Makes me sick to my core!!!!!
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Ive had a lot of trouble posting on this thread today…anyway I watched the video and I am saddened and sick to the stomach. I don’t even know what to say and am at a loss as to wanna we can do about it. As with all change, I suppose awareness is an all important first step. But then where? Don’t know. So I might just sit in silence and reflect on what this poor soul’s life must have been like. As someone said below, she didn’t even flinch at the first shot. She must have felt so utterly defeated and worthless.
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This is a really heartbreaking story and highlights issues which affect women in some communities in the world, so it needs to be published.
However, I’m going to be honest, I felt even more sad after getting to the end of the comments section. After seeing and hearing all about this news story for the last day everyone is aghast and outraged but, you know, that’s where most people stop.
“If people see this footage, they’ll go, ‘Oh my God! That’s horrible!” then go on eating their dinner.” Hotel Rwanda
Yes it puts our lives in perspective and yes, knowing what to do to help or where to start educating ourselves can be really overwhelming but chances are most people won’t even bother. That’s part of the real problem too.
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I wouldn’t even know what I could do to help. And I can’t find any direction in the article nor in the comments. Would anyone know what they could do to help?
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Agree Sara but it is not that simple. Military action and sanctions seem to have failed thus far so I am not sure what the likes of all of us who are saddened and sickened are meant to do. Maybe theses extremists will be brought to account when pedophile catholic priests are…..
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I completely agree it’s not a simple issue, I was more hinting at the fact that people will condemn it but not actually even learn about why, how, when, who are doing these things and I think there are certain groups in our society who like to sweep ‘those people’ into a scarily large group (which is disturbingly inaccurate).
So I guess in answer to both the replies I think firstly education about why this goes on (Taliban rule, the way they recruit people often young men living in poverty, women’s role in extremist and moderate Islam, etc.) is extremely important. Secondly, I would encourage people to look at the various charities/support systems out there who look to empower women in oppressive communities.
I have found that micro-lending can be a truly remarkable way to change the power dynamic in countries like Afghanistan. Also looking into simple life differences like education and medical procedures like fistula centres can be extremely beneficial. To look at these further, great sites include Global Giving or even Charity Navigator (to understand where your money is going).
Also a great book I would recommend for both of these aspects is ‘Half the Sky’ by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl Wudunn. I hope this helps to maybe make it a little less overwhelming (?).
Ladybug… good point about the catholic priests. Harrowing feature on Four Corners last week!
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Thanks Sara. I do get overwhelmed by these things and not knowing where to begin. I am also aware that so many issues/causes exist and as one person I can only do so much. At the end of the day, I have to pick and choose what I can do and be happy that I am contributing in some way.
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If anyone is interested in reading an amazing story about a Muslim woman who escapes her family and culture, and who sheds further light on what it is like to grow up as a Muslim woman, please read ‘Nomad’ and ‘infidel’. They are both by a woman named Ayaan Hirsi Ali and are the best books I have ever read.
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GG I am sure you mean women who grow up in these oppressive extremist regimes. Please be mindful that there are a lot of Muslim women who are educated and live happy and fulfilling lives.
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No Ladybug, Ayaan grew up in Somalia in a typical Muslim family – if you hear her speak (which i have) you will find that she has no tolerance for Islam at all.
She believes that ‘moderate’ Muslims provide cover for ‘practicing’ Muslims – that the religion is bad in all it’s forms.
Ayaan has been living under threat of death from the Muslim community for many years and cannot live without body guards – because she spoke out. She lives in a bazooka proof apartment – because she spoke out. She saw one of her best friends assassinated – because she spoke out.
Unforunately our society has become too politically correct (scared) to speak out against this violent, oppressive religion. Little Muslim girls are having their genitals mutilated right here in this very country and we do nothing to stop it – because we’re afraid to speak out against Islam.
If a little white girl had her genitals mutilated all hell would break loose. We let it happen right here and we do nothing to help them.
This video is chilling, but let’s not get bent out of shape over one incident, wake up, and realise that females are being murdered in the thousands all over the world.
Honour killings are on the increase in the the UK – how long before we start seeing the same trend?
But whatever you do, don’t say anything bad about Islam. No, it’s time we acknowledged Islam for what it is.
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Excuse me? “violent, oppressive, religion”??? And your facts come from where? Please do your research and know the difference between religious and cultural practices.
Genital mutilation is not an Islamic practice, it is cultural and prominent in some African countries. Many African women who are not Muslim are victims of GM. In Islam we have circumcision for both men and women that is treated as a medical procedure and not a backyard job.
I’m a proud Aussie Muslim and I don’t need you to save me from my religion or tell me what it ‘really’ is. Most of the horrific things that happen which are painted with the brush of Islam are in fact cultural practices that have been confused with religion – just like this Taliban video.
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You said ” in Islam we have circumcision for both men and women that is treated as a medical procedure and not a backyard job”. In the same paragraph, you say “genital mutilation is not an Islamic practice”. So my Question is, what’s the difference ? and why do women need to be circumcised in the first place?
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@catwoman – I am a ‘Muslim’ woman. Born here. Completely agree with Ayaan. If you followed the religion closely, you would happily hand over your 6 year old daughter for marriage to a 44 year old man, which will be consummated when she turns 9.
If you honestly practised the religion as it is intended, you would be killing all your homosexual friends and directly telling your non-Muslim friends that they are nothing compared to you.
I’m assuming if you have, or intend to have children, you will forbid them from dating non-Muslims, let alone have sexual relations with them or anyone outside of marriage. Your unconditional love as a parent would mean you would happily love them if they were gay, denounced their religion, were promiscuous, married a non-Muslim, got a tattoo, and drank alcohol. If you can honestly tell me that yuo would ‘allow’ these things as a Muslim parent, then i would challenge you and advise you that you were not a Muslim.
And if you did not ‘allow’ these things as a Muslim, then i would challenge you, and advise you that you were not a parent who would love their child unconditionally.
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Well I am sorry Kookychic but I almost married into what i would describe as a typical Muslim family. If i did, I could have continued to live in my western way just as my would be sister in law (who by the way is well educated, is independent, has a social life……pretty much the same as me!!!) does. Not all Muslim cultures are oppressive women haters and it is important that people know that, and that is the point I made. Most Muslims just want to live a happy and peaceful life as we do. A lot of good is written in the Koran if you care to look.
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I agree “Infidel” is a brilliant book, but I would be wary of recommending it to anyone who wasn’t firmly committed to the idea that Australia needs to take in more refugees.
The reaction from many after reading this book is that it is evidence that taking in refugees will only threaten our way of life. Which it probably won’t in my opinion, but I see how reading this book leads people to fear that it will.
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Hi Kit,
You seem to be upset with women. You have been on a number of posts here today writing about how horrible women are.
Just wondering why you would visit a site predominately aimed at women if you hate them so much?
I am sorry you are so unhappy and you feel like you have been hard done by.
Perhaps your feelings are still too raw for you to be here?
Are bad feelings being stirred up by all the strong intelligent women commenting on here?
I think it would do you good to leave this site and perhaps come back when you have worked through your women issues.
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The thing that disturbs me the most is , this is not an isolated incident. Honour killings and maimings occur everyday . Stoning women to death, throwing acid into the faces of women and girls, happen regularly whenever men think they or the family have been dishounered in some way. How these people aren’t charged with murder or attempted murder is astonishing to us, but isn’t to others. Makes me sick to think of what some women around the world endure on a daily basis. It is heartbreaking.
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I too am unable to watch the video.
This extra info is from ninemsn. I’m in NO WAY trying to justify this, just adding some extra information that the two men involved were supposedly also killed. I don’t even know if that makes this whole sad story worse or better.
Parwan province governor Abdul Basir Salangi told CNN it was believed the woman was executed because the two Taliban commanders could not agree who should have her.
Both apparently had some sort of relationship with her.
“In order to save face,” they accused her of adultery, Mr Salangi said.
Then they “faked a court to decide about the fate of this woman and in one hour, they executed the woman,” he said.
The commanders were subsequently killed by a third Taliban commander, Mr Salangi said.
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Hey Troll, you’re late to the party!
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On this topic a really harrowing movie is ‘the stoning of soroya m’ think that’s what it was, I saw it ages ago and it is horrific that this kind of barbarity still exists in this day and age.
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I sent a link of this story to everyone I know that has ever wondered why people would risk their lives on a crappy boat to get to this country.
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Excellent point Sim.
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This just pisses me off! I will never, ever understand how men can be so cruel to other human beings and animals alike. Aren’t we all lucky that we were born into such a fantastic country where we have choices and freedom.
Thanks for sharing this story, as awful as it is.
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The awful part of this is that it is believed she was killed because she was an adulterer, how was she an adulterer?
Another man RAPED her.
So firstly a man raped her
then her husband reported this rape to the Taliban leaders (of which he is a high ranking member) and he reported the rape not to punish the man but to report his wife for adultery
Then, she was killed because her husband and the males in her community failed to protect her and punish the real criminal.
What kind of husband would do this to the woman he is supposed to love.
oh yeah, it is also believed that it was her husband who pulled the trigger.
All because a man treated a woman as a disposable commodity for his own sick desires.
All in the name of religion.
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F*^k! Well, that just made me that bit angrier. This is the extreme end of it, but this is why I do not support the introduction of sharia law in our country.
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This whole story makes me so angry. And WTF would we want Sharia law for, anyway? We’re not a theocracy! Follow our legislation or get the f**k out! I hated typing that because I hate sounding like I listen to talkback radio, but I wish these clowns would wake up and realise WHY we don’t want Sharia law
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I read the story, and started crying, so as yet I cannot bring myself to watch the footage.
But I just want to point out that we don’t have Sharia law, and this is not purely a religious thing, the Taliban is an oppressive regime, and these rules are culturally mandated, rather than set in stone by their faith.
It horrifies me, and it is stories like this that make it hard for me to understand why people are so resistant to allowing asylum seekers to live in Australia.
People who come to Australia should have the right to practice their religion without fear of recrimination, as long as others are not harmed. the Taliban way of practising their religion is not how they all do.
I liken it to what the western world might be like if Westboro Baptist were in charge and made the laws.
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“I liken it to what the western world might be like if Westboro Baptist were in charge and made the laws.”
SO true. When these topics come up on MM I get upset about some of the posts about women “escaping the horrors” of Muslim culture. I’m not Muslim but I know people who are who would not hurt a fly. I’m no authority on the subject but to me it seems that the Taliban are a completely different kettle of fish to any Muslim I have ever met. Just as my Anglican Minister relatives would completely disassociate themselves from Westboro- they have a thread of similar belief and practice and a hell of a lot of indifferences.
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The only reason I stated that I didn’t want sharia law introduced here is because it could become the “thin edge of the wedge”. While sharia law clearly isn’t always like this, harsh punishments like this and stoning etc can end up doled out in the guise of sharia law.
The other reason is that Christian law is not part of our legal system, so why on earth would another religion get a say? Customs, yes if you wish, laws no. Aboriginal law I can live with because they were here first after all. And it’s not necessarily religious law.
I’m fine with separation of church and state and also think that as women our equality has been hard won, let’s not risk it.
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Yes this is confronting but try not to forget we need to respect other people’s religious beliefs. (!)
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Sorry Claire but human rights trumps religion every day in my books.
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You obviously didn’t get that I wasn’t being serious. I was referencing the fact that people are excused for their crimes thanks to society’s insistence on religious tolerance eg. Catholic paedophiles.
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Sorry Clare, i should have read your 2nd comment & yes you are spot on, they do use relegion as an excuse to get away with murder. They are fools.
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Sorry Claire, I obviously missed the tone in your comment.
sorry for the confusion.
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Dont worry you werent the only one.
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Haha, what a failed attempt at online sarcasm! I’ll never try that again.
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Respecting ones religious beliefs is one thing. However the beliefs of the Taliban have very little to do with religion. There is very little in the Koran that actually condemn women to the level that the Taliban and their members do. Afghanistan is not a good place for women. They are in a position where a women cannot leave her home without the escort of a man. There is NO excuse. If she has children at home starving and she goes out to buy food, she will be shot or stoned to death. They aren’t allowed to drive – they either need man to drive or hire a driver. Most women in that country do not have the type of money that they could hire a driver.
The women is 100% property of the man. He is literally allowed to murder her if it’s deemed “appropriate” in the circumstances.
This isn’t about religious beliefs. This is about basic human rights.
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The way these men are behaving is based on their religious beliefs; why else would he yell ‘God tells us to finish her’? Yes they have completely misconstrued whatever is written in their ‘holy book’ but nonetheless, religion is what makes people so irrational and delusional.
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Actually I would have said, poverty, cultural beliefs and lack of any significant education would make people that irrational.
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That too.
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Yeah, I know heaps of Muslims, and they don’t hate women. These guys are ill-educated and in poverty, and are threatened by what they don’t know. As most people are. The taliban take it to mental extremes though, obviously.
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They are hiding behind their religion, however the Muslim faith is not based upon hatred of women. I know many people who are Muslim and they have said their genuine religious teachings are not like this. The Taliban and other extremists groups hide behind the religious card.
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This has nothing to do with religion!
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No religion in the world allows to kill!!
It’s the taliban that claim that religion is their alibi but it’s not!
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If you want to help the women and girls in Afghanistan – and indirectly help reduce the Taliban’s control – PLEASE read “Three Cups of Tea” by Greg Mortensen, or donate to his foundation, the Central Asia Institute (CAI).
Mortensen has been responsible for building nearly two hundred schools in Afghanistan, in rural or “Taliban areas”, making education accessible for girls (and sometimes boys) for whom it would never have been otherwise possible.
One of the cunning things that the Taliban does is build madrassas in villages, which are purportedly schools – so families send their boys there (girls aren’t allowed) – but instead of learning literacy and numeracy, the kids are brainwashed with Taliban cr*p. Hence the next generation of Taliban believers keep on coming and coming. The Taliban have been doing this for decades – that’s why they haven’t been wiped out yet.
So if you support non-violent solutions, please either make a tax-deductible donation to the CAI – http://www.ikat.org – or at least visit http://www.threecupsoftea.com to learn more.
And when you talk about this awful situation, please do mention what people can do. Spread the word.
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“Do not pity the dead Harry. Pity the living, and, above all, those who live without love.” Albus Dumbledore
These men must not know love in any form for any woman in their life, and for that we should pity them. I am in no way justifying what they did, they are cold blooded killers, but they will not know true love, and for that zI pity them
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well said emily
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Oh Emily.
Has there ever been a wiser fictional character than Dumbledore?
Xx
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Sorry Emily, I have little pity for them, even the basest of humans can have some empathy for another sentient being. Blast them all to smitherines, I say!!
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This is a another man made religion to benefit only Men!! once again
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‘Out of all the animals, man is the only one that is cruel.’ Mark Twain.
Why are these men so afraid of women?
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Incredibly sad and distressing. How different that woman’s life would have been had she had the fortune of being born somewhere else. I also feel sad for those men, so indocrinated with hate, disgust and revulsion of women. It makes me feel helpless and small – I wish there was something to be done but I feel like only time will change the culture of hatred that can be seen in that video…
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Heart breaking!!!!
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As an Atheist, this is one time I wish I believed in hell. The people that enforce this kind of injustice really do need to pay the price.
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The saddest thing for me is that those men belive in hell with all their hearts and yet are convinced that murdering that girl is the right thing to do – the only thing, even, that will save them … Tragic.
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What the Fcuk is wrong with these men? Is it fear, or because they just don’t know any better?
I think fear and igorance is part of it.
I also think it comes down to brainwashing, and a need to feel they have power because they’re actually powerless. And it’s easy to disempower someone whom they don’t identify with…..
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I avoided this article for awhile because I knew it would upset me and it has but I’m grateful for having read it. It’s sensitively written. Sometimes you need a big loud voice to accompany the article blurb that screams READ THIS ONE!
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In some countries the war on women is deadly, brutal and horrifying.
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And in other countries/cultures the war on women is much more covert,,,,and no less deadly, brutal and horrifying.
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How many times does this happen and we don’t hear about it? That is what I find truly terrifying.
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If you are interested in this theme (which I think all humans should be, human rights are something we should all demand and insist upon), please read Malalai Joya and Ayaan Hirsi Ali – both women who have grown up in these cultures and who speak out against the myth-making these men engage in to justify themselves, and who risk their lives to expose the crimes these thugs commit.
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This is awful. I’m sorry but I couldn’t bring myself to watch the video. How can these honour killing’s be still happening? I hope one day, not too far away, our sister’s in these countries will have the same right’s we do, how many more lives will be taken before that happens, I don’t know but it’s wrong and it’s time these countries stopped it. I’ll say a prayer for Najiba tonight.
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Wow Jamila.
Today i was feeling sorry for myself because my expected payrise didnt get approved, i’ve got a headache and my date from Friday night still hasnt called. Really puts it into perspective how ridiculous my worries are after reading this.
Thankyou.
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it does, doesn’t it, Megs? Me, too, especially after a difficult day with my 11yo, the stupid computer that won’t upload fast enough or realizing I’m out of milk
(and a pox on that guy!)
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WAIT!
Just because someone else is in a worse situation than yours, doesn’t give you the right to avoid asking why you didn’t get that payrise, or why Mr Friday didn’t call!
The fact that people are starving in Africa doesn’t mean a restaurant in Australia has the right to serve you a salmonella infected meal you paid your hard-earned for, does it?
Wake up!
I hope your headache has gone away though x
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Hi Nicki,
Don’t think its a case of ‘waking up’ – was purely highlighting the fact that everyday worries, or “first world problems” that can get us down are put into perspective and show us how lucky we are living in the western world when you read articles like this.
Believe me, am definately asking why I didnt get that payrise!
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No doubt you are worth every cent of that pay-rise, too.
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This is cold blooded murder and the monsters over there cheered when she died. Unspeakable disgust. These so called men masquerade around as if they rule all and under the guise of their God can commit murder! What has changed for women? I feel like the world has gone backward, maybe technogically forward but backward as far as women are concerned. This has been going on for centuries and these fools think they’re untouchable. Pure evil, so disheartening to see young boys (the next generation) being brainwashed into the sick power of these monsters….I just hope she is in a much better place because this was hell on earth for her.
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The truly sad thing is that they ARE untouchable. How many of these men will be arrested? None. How many members of parliament in Afghanistan committed crimes during that nation’s civil war? Many. Ordinary people need to keep agitating and demanding that criminality, no matter who the victim is or who the perpatrator is, is punished. There are many brave martyrs in Afghanistan trying to give a voice to their people, and the international community needs to stand beside them and condemn these acts.
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Jamila, sometimes I wonder where we, as a people, are headed when countries and people are still oppressing women and minorities, perpetrating cruel acts on animals and children and treating the earth like it’s their own personal trash can. Angry indeed!
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Thank you for reminding us how truly lucky we are and for all the liberties we take for granted. These liberties sadly aren’t afforded to some of our sisters…
What a wake up call and next time i go to complain about my “tough” job, I will stop and think of Najiba.
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I totally agree Anna. This is heartbreaking. I’m pretty sure the charity Womenforwomen.org helps a lot of afghan women. Check it out.
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