Mukhatran Bibi

[Curious Christian]

Mukhtaran Bibi



A Pakistani Rape Victim Fights Back


By GLORIA STEINEM


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Posted Sunday, Apr. 30, 2006


Only a few leaders are alchemists who take the worst of human behavior and turn it into the best. Mukhtaran Bibi, a Pakistani woman raised in poverty and illiteracy, has responded to the violence and gender apartheid directed at her and other women with an insistence on justice and education. Her tragedy began in 2002 when her brother was accused of walking with a girl from a higher tribal group. <b>In a culture in which female bodies are battlegrounds for male honor, the village court ruled that he be punished with the rape of his sister. Bibi was assaulted by four men and paraded naked through the village. </b>


There are perhaps thousands of such "honor crimes" in Pakistan each year. Survivors are more likely to kill themselves or be killed by their families than turn to a legal system that requires four male adult Muslim eyewitnesses to testify to rape—otherwise the victim can be convicted of fornication and adultery. But Bibi went to court. Her bravery attracted support from international media and women's groups, and her attackers were convicted. With the compensation money plus contributions from people who read about her struggle, she created a girls' school. Now 33, she has become a skilled organizer and trusted leader, and a magnet for other women escaping violence.


But Bibi is far from safe. Only global pressure forced Pakistan to give her a passport so she could meet women abroad, and she still receives death threats from those who view her as a danger to the nation's image and social order. Like Nelson Mandela, another alchemist who redeemed human nature by example, she depends on ordinary supporters to keep herself and her work alive.


This is one brave woman I think. Was the tribe who forced her rape acting out of tribal rules or Islamic Law??? In other words, is it Islamic Law to have the sister of a suspect gang raped?

[PUPPET]

Mukhtaran Bibi



Her tragedy began in 2002 when her brother was accused of walking with a girl from a higher tribal group. <b>In a culture in which female bodies are battlegrounds for male honor, the village court ruled that he be punished with the rape of his sister. Bibi was assaulted by four men and paraded naked through the village. </b>





This is one brave woman I think. Was the tribe who forced her rape acting out of tribal rules or Islamic Law??? In other words, is it Islamic Law to have the sister of a suspect gang raped?

Sadly this is Tribal rulings. Not Islamic law in any way.

[Curious Christian]

Sadly this is Tribal rulings. Not Islamic law in any way.

Are Muslim clerics or leaders able to stop this sort of thing?

[Muslimah]

Bismillah


salam


Curious, to tell u the truth, I dont actually believe this situation occured as such. I know it is all over the media and this woman is currently in the USA. But i ve been to Pakistan quite a few times, the Pakistani society is a very very very reserved one. When i compare it even with the Egyptian society, it is really a conservative one. I mean even before more women start abiding by the Islamic dress code, their national dress is a conservative one, women their are highly respected. It is totally unlikely that a group of tribal judges would make such judgement, I dont think so. How did this story come to the media, is known only to Allah, the truth behind it is also know to Allah. But on the personal level, I dont buy it.

[Curious Christian]

Bismillah


salam


Curious, to tell u the truth, I dont actually believe this situation occured as such. I know it is all over the media and this woman is currently in the USA. But i ve been to Pakistan quite a few times, the Pakistani society is a very very very reserved one. When i compare it even with the Egyptian society, it is really a conservative one. I mean even before more women start abiding by the Islamic dress code, their national dress is a conservative one, women their are highly respected. It is totally unlikely that a group of tribal judges would make such judgement, I dont think so. How did this story come to the media, is known only to Allah, the truth behind it is also know to Allah. But on the personal level, I dont buy it.

Well...she pressed charges against those that hurt her and they were convicted....so the Pakistani courts found it to be true. It is also fact that she created a girls school with her punative damages.

[Muslimah]

Bismillah


I believe u curious, I m just unable still to believe this could take place in Pakistan for the reasons I stated above.


I want there, the media can really play a lot. I live in a country where media can actually play a major role to limits beyond your immagination. Like they can actually fabricate a whole interview with someone whom they even never met. May Allah Forgive me for revealing this.


I m not talking out of experience, I saw this happen with my former boss, with a relative of mine, ..etc.

[Curious Christian]

Bismillah


I believe u curious, I m just unable still to believe this could take place in Pakistan for the reasons I stated above.


I want there, the media can really play a lot. I live in a country where media can actually play a major role to limits beyond your immagination. Like they can actually fabricate a whole interview with someone whom they even never met. May Allah Forgive me for revealing this.


I m not talking out of experience, I saw this happen with my former boss, with a relative of mine, ..etc.

I agree Muslimah that the media can be corrupt. Our media does the same thing at times.


As far as this woman is concerned, I believe her story because the courts did. I know, horrible things, such as that...happen in the US everyday. It saddens me.