JEDDAH, 18 April 2007 — Fatima, the 34-year-old mother of two who preferred to remain in a Dammam prison for nine months after being forcefully divorced by an Al-Jouf court in absentia, has finally moved to a shelter home last Sunday, her lawyer Abdul Rahman Al-Lahem said yesterday.While it's not exactly incredible news (the forced divorce has yet to be reversed) it's still good to hear that some people are trying their best to help, and that at least Fatima and her child are in a more comfortable and secure environment now.
What really disturbs me about this case is the almost deafening silence from the religious elite of this country. People who are outspoken when it comes to their opposition to such basic rights such as women driving and higher education, who let their rage deafen anyone near when it comes to small "vices" such as music and satellite TV, are suspiciously quite in such a high profile case. I don't like to put words in people's mouths, but this silence is furthering the reputation our scholars have of being intolerant, racist and misogynist. Hell, some of the lower profile ones (and many loud mouthed individuals) are already taking the side of the judges who annulled the marriage and started the whole travesty, citing some vague and ambiguous Hadiths.
Racism exists everywhere. There's no escaping it. It's part of human nature. Especially in a country that has a tribal structure like Saudi Arabi does. But when racism becomes institutional, when it becomes law, when it starts affecting personal lives, that's when we need to stop and take a good look at ourselves.
It's high time Fatima and her family are brought together again. After all is said and done we are all one big family despite our differences.
2 comments:
"But when racism becomes institutional, when it becomes law, when it starts affecting personal lives, that's when we need to stop and take a good look at ourselves "
Even though this is the essence of the whole issue, and is exactly what should make us all fear for our country....AMAZINGLY most if not all the people who discussed this - media or blogs- fail to touch on this or even recognize it!!!
good blog, wish u all the luck.
Racism is an ugly word. Most people try and pretend it doesn't exist.
Post a Comment