December 4, 2007
The 'Girl of Qatif'
She's known only as the "Girl of Qatif". She is the Saudi woman, gang raped by seven men, whose case has drawn worldwide consternation. That's because, although her attackers were sentenced to prison time, she, the victim, was also punished. And her sentence was doubled on appeal because she was in a car with a man not related to her at the time they were both ambushed by their attackers last year. The Saudi Islamic court wanted to send a message: There are strict behavior codes for women. Ignore them at your peril. Her lawyer, Abdul Rahman al-Lahem -- already stripped of his license for "disrespecting the court" during his defense of "the Girl of Qatif" -- was due to face a disciplinary committee Wednesday to decide if he would be punished further. That hearing was postponed. I spoke to Amnesty International's Lamri Chourif on Your World Today a few hours ago. He is the Saudi researcher for the human rights organization. He told me he hopes the attention this case is getting will force change in the Saudi criminal justice system which has "in-built prejudices against women." Meanwhile, the woman's lawyer told CNN's Octavia Nasr in a telephone interview : "Several lawyers volunteered to represent me and I chose someone young to send the message, loud and clear, that there is a whole generation of young lawyers who know the law, completely capable, and want to bring change." On CNN's World News Europe Tuesday, Masoud Shadjareh, Chairman of the Islamic Human Rights Council, said that the case has little to do with religious law, praised the rape victim's lawyer for his courage and added: "What is happening in Saudi Arabia right now neither represents Shariah, nor represents due process." We will update this page with the decision of the disciplinary panel and continue to follow the story on CNN and CNN.com. From CNN Anchor and Reporter, Hala Gorani 2 Comments
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On CNN's World News Europe Tuesday, Masoud Shadjareh, Chairman of the Islamic Human Rights Council, said that the case has little to do with religious law, praised the rape victim's lawyer for his courage and added: "What is happening in Saudi Arabia right now neither represents Shariah, nor represents due process."
It is sad no one will see this part as it requires too much change (and perhaps too much literacy) on the part of those with misdirected hatred.
In the year 570 AD The God sent his massenger prophet Mustafa Mohammad (PUH) to save humanity especially the Women. The Islami Sariah Laws is based on the princples of the Holly Book Al Quran and the Hadith. Nor the Quran nor the Hadith permites punishing the Victim and praise the rappist. "Zena" (Rape)is cosidered as "Gunahey Kabira" (Big Sin). The Gunahgar (Sinner) praised and the Victim Punished which is doubled by the appeal court, is it not a symbol of returning the civilization before 570AD ? ? ? ?
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