Ihsan

From the Izzy Mo blog

Some of you may be familiar with a Sister named Mukhtar Mai. She is a Pakistani woman from the rural village of Meerwala. In June 2002, because of a rumor stating that her 14-year-old brother had been seen with a girl from a rival tribe, the tribal council of Meerwala called him before the tribal court to stand for his "dishonor" to the girl's family. Mukhtar Mai plead the case for her brother and they excused for him.

But under the un-Islamic tribal laws of her village, they ordered that she should be raped to restore the honor of the offended family. Four men took turns while raping her in front of a cheering village and she was left naked and thrown into the street with nothing but a shawl to cover her as she walked back to her village. Many times she had contemplated suicide but it was her family and friends that convinced not to take her life. But instead of giving up, she decided to fight back. Last year in 2004, about 150 women were raped under the order of the Panchiat court, a village system of law that goes against the secular laws of Pakistan and the divine laws of Islam.

Click here to read more information about the sister, and the case

A few months back the Pakistani "Sharia court" odered that the attackers should be tried and they were arrested. Now, the Lahore High Court - based on what appears to me, technicalities - has again
released the attackers, and placed the sister's life in danger.

Action:

First, please remember this sister, and all others who might be in her situation - wherever they might be on this earth, in your duas - and pray for their safety, inshallah.

Second: call and/or write a polite but firm letter to the Pakistan Embassy (US info. given below) to express your concerns, and that the goverment will take measures to ensure sister Mai's safety.

In the United States:

His Excellency Mr. Jehangir Karamat

(202) 243-6500 Ext. 2000 & 2001, info@embassyofpakistan.org

And click here to view a school project started by Mukhtra Mai.