KARACHI:
When I was born, instead of congratulating, my distant family members didn’t bother to see me again. Prayers were sought for a son; why was a daughter born, as Grandmother had prayed? Now, being the daughter of a poor father, who would provide a dowry? Who would marry her? It felt like these questions were born before me!
Growing up, I received some motivational lines at home: You can’t do it; you’re a girl. Don’t go out alone; you’re a girl. Go with your brother; you’re a girl.
Returning straight home from school, I listened to my mom say, “Wear a burka (veil) so no one sees you.” I replied, “Even with a veil, some look at me like dogs outside a meat shop staring at meat; they gaze at me with a similar intensity.” But pat came the reply from Mom, “You should take care of your honour.”
But Mom, in Surah Noor, there’s a command for men to observe modesty, so why are they not mindful of it? “Because stains show up quickly on white fabric,” was the reason provided by Mom.
I was humiliated from the ignorant era of the Arabs, but later on, honour was granted by the Leader of Two Worlds, who titled his daughter Fatima (RA) as Nisa-ul-Alamin. But today’s Muslim seems to forget Muhammad (PBUH) and his teachings.
I am a daughter, belonging to Muslims. Harassed in educational institutes, madrasa, bus-stands, and markets, I have never said anything to anyone.
In a place where a 15-year-old girl can be married to a 55-year-old man without any hesitation, where boundaries are forgotten, “Yes, it happens, my dear,” said Baba, tears welling in his eyes. “Yes, it happens here because this is Balochistan, my child. Here, it’s the system of landlords, nobles, influential people and chiefs. This is how it goes here. Justice cannot be found through lineage; the courts lack fairness. Now, I will lodge a complaint against the most powerful ruler and leader, whose court is the largest. I am a girl. I will complain.”
If a woman is weak, will you also call them weak? The one who gave birth to Prophet Esa (PBUH). The one who did business with Muhammad (PBUH). Whom Muhammad (PBUH) had nurtured. Who had fought against her brother’s enemies?
Yes, the strength of the nation’s men was embodied by Maryam, Khadija, Fatima and Zainab.
Hassnain Abbasi
Sukkur
