Fantasies of Muslim clerics; Virgins in heaven with endless sex

First of all Memri-TV focuses on making their money by  providing entertainment based in making fun of Arabs in particular, and Muslims in general. They pick some idiot in some corner of the Middle East and present him as the main stream Muslim leader. Unfortunately for many who don't question, this looks like the view of all Muslims, because it is coming from “Memri Research Institute,” Baloney!  It is not the view of Muslims. 

The talk about virgins is a fantasy of impotent men to live off in an elusive world.  They have fired up their own imaginations with endless sexual appetite, that they don't have it.  It is just not a few random Muslim clerics, but it is the fantasy of men from different races, ethnicities and religions,   men who are disappointed in their own manhood. The ugly fact of this story is, what these guys are talking about is in the literature,  just like the hard core pornographic magazines in American society are available, there is hard core literature among a few Muslim clerics– which does not represent the values of Islam. Even though most Muslims do not subscribe to this, they are afraid to question.

Here are three videos that I have watched: 

1. No Black women or Asian women found or wanted in Muslim heavenhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8lhuMG1fbQ&feature=youtu.be
2. Saudi Cleric Al Sweilem Extols Paradise's Black Eyed Virginshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60kEEdkWgzE
3. جنت میں حوروں کا تصورvirgins of Paradise Ur V  
   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkT_P3FRjg4

The 3rd video is 7:38 Minute video and in Urdu language, the first part through 3rd minute is pure pornography. I bet the teens with raging sexual desires will possibly masturbate to this guys talk.


I am glad I ran into this video because of 2nd part of this video: Mirza Tahir Ahmad interprets this as fantasy – he talks about “hoor” as an ideal man and woman in paradise free from the cycles of desires and satisfaction. Pleasure is a mental thing. I like his interpretation and response, except one small thing: The way he compares spicy Asian foods to the “tasteless” western food.  If he can improve on that comparison without the tone of denigration, I would pass this as an educational video.

Is it possible he is talking about the abstract ideals?

When the cleric in firs video talks about women should look at their men only, is he talking about super focused relationship with total loyalty? - It should have been vice versa also which the misogynistic idiot refuses to see.

When he talks about the strength of 1000 men, (in the 3rd video, the guy talks about 100 men) is he talking about what guys dream about in a relationship to please the woman sexually?

It sounds like fantasy of impotent men. Impotency is not derogatory, some men like this sheikh really believe in fantasy of being a potent man in that elusive paradise.
Are these guys transferring the ideal of this world- good sex, loyalty and exclusivity which they may not have to the fantasy of Paradise? Is their paradise a fantasy of day dreaming, that they consider being real and looking forward to it.

As a Muslim, these videos are repulsive to me, they denigrate women. It’s not just a few Muslims who do this; it is by insecure men in all societies, faiths and races.

Mike Ghouse is a thinker, writer and a speaker on pluralism, interfaith, Islam, politics and building civil societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day.www.MikeGhouse.net and www.TheGhousediary.com

Female Genital Mutilation-cutting (FGM) - Muslims condemn the ugly practice

Female Genital Mutilation-cutting (FGM) - Muslims condemn the ugly practice

“Suhair al-Bata'a, a thirteen year old Egyptian girl died while the brutes were mutilating her genitals this week. This is an abhorrent cultural practice.  Indeed, it is not an Islamic practice or the Muslim practices worldwide; it is a shameful practice by many groups including Muslims, such as a few Bohra Muslims in India and other Muslims in Egypt, Somalia and Yemen.  Unless we condemn this ugly practice, it will be propagated as a Muslim practice,” concludes Mike Ghouse, president of the World Muslim Congress, a think tank based in Dallas.

It's time we remove the name of Islam and Muslims from this disgusting practice, just as the Medical Associations of the United States and United Kingdom have banned the practice since 1996, not only was it legal in America but it was covered by the health insurance. Muslims need to join the Christians and all others who condemn this.

Following the condemnation is the ugly history and practice of FGM here in America and Britain.   

The World Muslim Congress joins the American Society for Muslim Advancement in condemning this practice.

The Global Muslim Women's Shura Council (The Council) stands together with the Egyptian National Council for Women in demanding the eradication of this practice. The Council condemns FGC as a harmful and un-Islamic practice that contradicts the teachings of the Qur'an and the Prophet's Example (Sunnah). Laleh Bakhtiar, a Council member and the author of the English translation The Sublime Quran, states: "There is no mention of FGC in the Qur'an, it is a cultural practice growing as it did out of local customs in Egypt and elsewhere."

Daisy Khan, Executive Director of American Society for Muslim Advancement, said, "FGC violates human rights of over 130  million women worldwide and continues to pose a threat to three million girls every year, and as a tradition, it is an absolute corruption of the Islamic doctrine and must be eliminated from all Muslim societies."

In August 2010, 96% of Muslim women polled worldwide declared FGC to be an un-Islamic practice which must be eliminated. The Council has prepared various educational tools to help in the elimination of this practice. The Council appeals to the public to read/view and disseminate the three minute long video- 
http://youtu.be/aL7p2omnw_g - the two-page digest "Female Genital Cutting: Harmful and Un-Islamic," and the ten-page full report.

FGM IN AMERICA

Female circumcision was legal in the United States until 1996, and even Blue Cross Blue Shield Covered the costs as a part of the insurance coverage. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ORnf1BiL38c

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a harmful traditional practice that involves the removal of part or all of the female genitalia.  The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified FGM into 4 types:

1.    Clitoridectomy: partial or total removal of the clitoris and/or the prepuce

2.    Excision: partial or total removal of the clitoris and the labia minora, with or without excision of the labia majora

3.    Infibulations: the most extreme form, the removal of all external genitalia and the stitching together of the two sides of the vulva

4.    Other: all other harmful procedures done to the female genitalia for nonmedical purposes, for example, pricking, piercing, incising, scraping and cauterization

What are the health consequences of FGM?

FGM is generally performed without anesthetic, and can have lifelong health consequences including chronic infection, hemorrhage, and severe pain during urination, menstruation, and sexual intercourse. It could lead to complications during childbirth and increases the risk of newborn deaths. Women may also suffer psychological trauma as a result of being subjected to FGM. While anti-FGM advocates occasionally report cases of death as a direct or indirect result of FGM, there is no statistical data on how many girls die from the procedure.

FGM is recognized internationally as a human rights violation, torture and an extreme form of discrimination against women and girls.

Why is FGM performed?

To control women's sexuality and to ensure virginity until marriage and fidelity in marriage.

To make a girl more acceptable in the community and increases her eligibility for marriage.

As a traditional rite of passage into adulthood.

FGM is associated with notions of being "feminine," "modest," "clean" and/or "beautiful."

Various myths surround FGM in practicing communities, e.g. that the clitoris will grow into a penis if not cut, or that a baby will die if its head touches the clitoris during birth.

America's Forgotten History of Female Circumcision

In the USA, while involuntary female circumcision never became routine like involuntary male circumcision became, it was promoted and done by some of the same doctors who were doing it to boys.

Clitoridectomy: Nineteenth Century Answer for Masturbation

http://www.nocirc.org/symposia/first/duffy.html

The following six excerpt quotes are from actual American medical journals:

"...that the girl who becomes irritable, disagreeable and hysterical may become charming, interesting and possessed of all feminine graces when her prepuce[clitoral hood] is forcibly peeled away from the glans of the clitoris, and we have made a distinct step forward in civilization..." [Is evolution trying to do away with the clitoris? Transactions of the American Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Vol. 5, 1892, pp. 288-302]

http://www.historyofcircumcision.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=50&Itemid=68

"I for one have circumcised as many girls as boys, and always with happy results." [Circumcision of Girls. Journal of Orificial Surgery, Vol. 7, July 1898, pp. 31-33]

"Many neuroses and even psychoses have their origin in pathological conditions of the hood of the clitoris." [Circumcision in the Female: Its Necessity and How to Perform It. American Journal of Clinical Medicine, Vol. 22, No. 6, June 1915, pp. 520-523]

http://www.noharmm.org/CircintheFemale.htm

"Circumcision will relieve one of the greatest causes of masturbation" [Why not circumcise the girl as well as the boy? Texas State Journal of Medicine, Vol. 14, May 1918, pp. 17-19]

"The same reasons that apply for the circumcision of males are generally valid when considered for the female." [Circumcision of the Female. General Practioner, Vol. 18 No. 3, September 1958, pp. 98-99]

http://www.noharmm.org/circumfemale.htm

"If the husband is unusually awkward or difficult to educate, one should at times make the clitoris easier to find[by amputating the clitoral hood]." [Female Circumcision: Indications and a New Technique General Practioner, Vol. 20, No. 3, September 1959, pp. 115-120]

http://www.noharmm.org/femcirctech.htm

Read the talking points on how FGC is un-Islamic and harmful:

http://www.wisemuslimwomen.org/images/uploads/WISE_Shura_Council_FGC_2-page_statement.pdf_.pdf

Read the Muslim Women's Shura Council Full Report here:

http://www.wisemuslimwomen.org/pdfs/shura_council_fgc_digest.pdf


Learn about ASMA FGC elimination projects in Egypt:

http://www.wisemuslimwomen.org/currentissues/femalegenitalcutting/

The World Muslim Congress is committed to sharing and producing literature about the core values of Islam; Pluralism, Justice. www. WorldMuslimCongress.com

Examples of pluralism poetry in Hindi and Urdu

Thanks for the inquiries and clarifications about pluralism theme – let me sum up my work of 20 years, “If we can learn to respect the otherness of others, and accept the genetic uniqueness of each one of the 7 billion of us, then conflicts fade and solutions emerge.” Pluralism is simply an attitude.   

Some samples of poetry thus far;

I would encourage you to write on different issues where our attitudes determine the   pluralistic attitudes of acceptance of the other. Pluralism is not limited to religion, it is applicable in social, cultural, food, clothing, and linguistic, nationalistic, and ethnic aspects of life. Let’s face them with an attitude of an acceptable solution without aggravating the situation, and instead of keeping inside and poisoning the blood, lets discuss them in poetry format.

• Naheed Shad’s poetry is going to be focusing on samajik issues, and I am pleased to hear that. It would be a breath of fresh air.

• Ravi Kumar has included "bhook" in his poem ( this would be a good format – roman English and Hindi/Urdu- to benefit all readers – we request the poets to write the roman english in their own words, as others may mess it up).

saaraa aalam hee rotaa ho, jab bhookha koi sotaa ho 
सारा आलम ही रोता हो, जब भूखा कोई सोता हो

• Taj Hashmi wrote on universality of righteousness

     Sab ke chhatoN par aur kehtoN meiN pani barsata hai 
Khuda Woh to yeh nahiN poochhta, “Tu ne mujhey aaj  yaad kiya hai ya nahiN”?

When He showers rain, it happens on every rooftop, no garden is out of its way

God never asks the silly question: “Did you remember me today?”

•  Shah Alam Asar writes,

Pandito, Rahibo, Mullao meri baat suno
Ibne Adam hain sabhi, Farq jatate kion ho

(It’s a good take on Vasudhaiva Kutumbukum – the whole world is one family, what does it matter to prove the differences?)

• Saeed Qureshi concludes his poem

Mazhabi azadiyaan, ilm o masawat o amal
so taraqqi yafta qoumon ka a ayeen hai.

( freedom of religion, equality are the hallmarks of progressive societies)
15 More poems on their way!

CULTURAL PLURALISM

Some of us may have bias towards skirts, sarees, shalwar kameez, dhoti, Arab gear, pagdi, hat, topi, Hijab, pallu….does the bias contribute towards a well functioning society? Applying pluralism means – accepting each custom as unique, but not inferior or superior. You wear and feel good about your skirt, and I feel good about my Saree.  Humility builds bridges and arrogance destroys the relationships.

FOOD PLURALISM 

If you like Gulab Jamun and I like Ras Gulla – would we listen to a dietician, nutritionist, doctor, scientist, food connoisseur or any one -  if they say Gulab Jamun is better than Ras Gulla? You probably would  say – Chal, hut, bhaag yahaan say! 

LINGUISTIC PLURALISM

Back in Bangalore in the late 60’s – people have killed each other on the silliest of things – it is the size of the  cut out  pictures of Dr. Raj Kumar, Kannada film actor and M.G. Ramachandran, his counterpart in Tamil films. The fans were vying with each other to build the taller cut out for their idol - they went from 25 feet and all the way upto to 60 feet tall, rioting was common – all they had to learn was Raj Kumar means everything to the Kanndigas and MGR means everything to the Tamilians, so what?

PLURALISM IN BEAUTY

Because I am a guy, I am sharing my perspective – in college days we argued vehemently over who is more beautiful; Hema Malini, Waheeda Rahman or Rekha. We kept forgetting that beauty is in the eyes of the beholder,  and we would have saved the anger and a mukka - two of them become bitter towards each other, they were trying to force each other to believe either Hema or Waheeda was more beautiful. I said, so what you cannot even get an audience with them - Those guys envy me,  I had the luxury of sitting and talking with both the most beautiful women of India, and I was in hog heaven!

PLURALISM WITH SPOUSE

Please note, I will not use the language pluralism with wife – spouse means either wife or husband and in no particular order, as neither is above the other. Does it bother you that your spouse wears a dark green suit (male or female)? Is that a source of conflict every time you go out?  Why do we have to push the other to wear what we want,  and wear what is not comfortable to them... let them wear and be happy. A happy companion is better than the grouchy one waiting to get even.

Pluralism is simply an attitude – necessary to keep the conflicts in every aspect of life to a low level.

PLURALISM IN HINDI AND URDU

I attended the meeting at Urdu Ghar tonight, and I just could not believe the environment of pluralism there…   I am a life member of the International Hindi Association, a great secular organization, and I was looking for a similar secular and a pluralistic organization in Urdu – eureka, I found it.  I will write more about it.

We were working on finding a word in Urdu for pluralism -  many words were considered, but most of them agreed on the word “Bahimiyat” proposed by Dr. Amer Suleman, and now its his turn to explain Bahimiyat in a quartet or a full Nazm as an introduction in the program – like wise, the word Anekant vaad does not fully represent the breadth of the word Pluralism, and Anand has floated Anekta may ekta… we need another word to fully describe pluralism,  and I ask Anand Punjabi to write a quartet as an introduction or we ask  Nishi, Sushila jee, Fateh or Chini Saheb propose and write multiple words.

There was a good song in a film called “Do Kaliyan” which talks about dropping the Urdu-Hindi ka Jhagda – if you have time, it is a good song- by my mentor Kavi Sahir Ludhianavi.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQuBmwOUFpU

Please feel free to call me or any one of our team members – you can text me and give me the time to call back.  (214) 325-1916. I have a perfect record of returning every call and every email that asks me a question despite the amount of emails and calls I receive.

We are looking for someone to sponsor tea/soda/ pakora/samosa…. And some funding for producing the book – you can contribute from 50-500, all funds will be accounted and listed. You can go to: http://americatogetherfoundation.com/donate/

 More at : http://urduhindimushaeraonpluralism.blogspot.com/

Thank you.

Mike Ghouse
(214) 325-1916/ text

....... Mike Ghouse is a speaker, thinker and a writer on pluralism, politics, peace, Islam, Israel,India, interfaith, and cohesion at work place. He is committed to building a Cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day at www.TheGhousediary.com. 

Good news update about Urdu-Hindi Mushaera on Pluralism

Invitation to Hindi/ Urdu Speaking friends; 

Everything thing you wanted to know about pluralism; cultural, social, religious, political) will be here. Scroll down for more details and also check on the left panel.

Urdu Hindi اُردو / हिंदी Mushaera on Pluralism
Venue: Richardson Civic Center
411 W. Arapaho Road, Richardson, TX 75080
 Saturday, June 29, 2013
7:45 PM - 11:00 PM  - Limited Seating
Must RSVP to Confirmattendance@gmail.com

   

We request your participation in one or many ways;

Be our guest attendee. 
Write a poem based on the theme of Pluralism (social, cultural, religious, political…)
Recite your poem in the Musha’era/ Summelan
Be our sponsor 

If you want to bring a change to the society, be the propeller. 

It is our individual and collective responsibility to create societies where no one has to live in apprehension, discomfort or fear of the other. 

I appreciate you support in seeding the idea of pluralism in Urdu/Hindi languages at this time as a first step.  Poetry is a major part of Urdu/Hindi speaking population in India and Pakistan and touches every one through songs, Mushaeras and Sammelans. We can become propellers of the change and plant the seeds that will become trees and bear fruit and shade in a generation or two.

15 poets have confirmed writing poetry in easy Urdu/Hindi languages to communicate to larger audience and we hope to have at least 20 poets. We hope to get good media coverage, and it will be a model event that sets the standards for future events to improve upon it.  We will make an effort to get it published in Pakistani and Indian papers. We are seeking support from all the groups to be a part of this event

Contact:

Shri D. D. Maini 

Irfan Ali (940) 565-1723 

Amin Tirmizi (817) 663-3786
Noor Amrohvi (972) 859-0647

Anand Punjabi (214) 499-2663

AG Chini (972) 978-7034 Javed Samuel Gill (214) 315-5253 
Mike Ghouse (214) 325-1916

Website: http://urduhindimushaeraonpluralism.blogspot.com/

Muslims say no to Bikini at Miss World Pageant - Mike Ghouse on Fox News

SO WHAT IF IT IS A MUSLIMS PROTEST AGAINST BIKINI?
WE SHOULD APPRECIATE IT, IT IS A SIGN OF A HEALTHY DEMOCRACY.

http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2013/06/muslims-say-no-to-bikini-at-miss-world_9.html
 

On The O’Reilly factor between Greg Gutfeld, sitting in for Bill O'Reilly at Fox News,  and Mike Ghouse, president of America Together Foundation and the World Muslim Congress about the Indonesian ban on bikini at Miss World Pageant.

Fox News Video: http://www.foxnews.com/on-air/oreilly/index.html#http://video.foxnews.com/v/2452301837001/bikini-ban-at-miss-world-pageant/?playlist_id=86923

I have stood up for every race, ethnicity, culture and religion, and this time I am standing up for Muslim sensitivities to ban Bikini at the Miss World Pageant in Indonesia to be held on September 28, in Jakarta, Indonesia. We have to stand up for up for every one's right to be who they are and who they want to be.

Of course, this is a fodder for the Islamophobes to cash in on hyping up the situation that radical Muslims are gaining control in every sphere of life, and that they will take over the world.  My fellow Americans like Pamela Geller and Robert Spencer will squeeze every penny out of their nincompoop supporters. The more they frighten, the more donations will roll in; frightening Americans is their business.

I am thankful to Fox News and Greg Gutfeld to take me on the O’Reilly show to share my perspective.  The show was broad casted between 8 and 9 PM EST on Friday, June 7, 2013. Most of my talking points made it in the show but a few critical ones did not and they are here below. 


The bikini ban did not happen overnight, it was a part of the year long negotiated business transaction between the organizers of Miss World and the Indonesian cultural and tourism authority. 

 One of the great American values is to respect the sensitivities of other people. What is good for the goose has got be good for the gander.  Dale Carnegie had perfect words for this situation, “If you want to gather the honey, don’t kick the beehive”.

If we can learn to respect the otherness of others, and accept the God given uniqueness of each one of us, then conflicts fade and solutions emerge. 

That is exactly what the Miss World Pageant did; they agreed to respect the Indonesian culture, predominantly Muslim to address their concerns. When in Rome, do as Romans do.
“All of the more than 130 contestants will be required to wear Bali's traditional long sarongs instead of the sexy bikinis that are historically part of the competition, “said Adjie S. Soeratmadjie of the RCTI, the official broadcaster and local organizer.

In fact the chairwoman of the Miss World Organization, Julia Morley said, "Indonesia is designing for us a very beautiful one-piece beachwear, and I'm very happy with them," she told The Associated Press by phone from London, adding that the pageant will include a special beachwear fashion show.

In America we call it lobbying and bribe the decision makers in one form or the other and get the job done, the Indonesia garment industry probably was looking to promote their version of the bikini in to the world market through the pageant. 

As Americans, we are open to most things, but we have our own problems. We have protested against the sinful ugly war, Muslim protests against Bikini, so what?

Aren't we sensitive to the needs of our business?

Would a traditional Jewish family eat in a restaurant where the meat is not kosher? If the restaurant is predominantly in a Jewish community or Muslim community, it is in their business interest to serve Kosher/ Halal meat, is it not? 

So what if we are sensitive to the needs of Muslims in a predominantly Muslim community? Why should we push our way on to them? Do they push their ways on to us?

We should be proud of the demonstrators, it is a healthy sign of democracy, if the Republicans do not protest, and Obama will get away with many things. Protesting is the democratic thing to do, and we must appreciate it. 

Forget the Jews, Muslims and Hindus; would you and I eat dog meat, if that is served in a restaurant? Did we not protest Horse meat in burgers? Hindus protested about beef ingredient in the French Fries as well.  What about McRib by McDonalds?  What did Jack in the box and McDonald's do? They did not appease any one; they did what was right for their business, just as the Miss World Pageant did to protect their business.

Why do we need to piss people off? What is our gain? Dale Carnegie had once said if you want to gather the honey, you don't kick the beehive. We need to be sensitive to the needs of the culture we operate in.

Opposing Bikini is not necessarily a Muslim thing to do; it is indeed a Cultural thing. Hindus have done, Muslims have done and Christians have done it. 

In 1996 the pageant was marked by violent protests in India - Mind you this was done by the Predominantly Hindi culture. The event was culture sensitive, the models danced to traditional Indian music and dance.

There is the business angle - 2 billion people watched it. 

When Tebow knelt on the field, how many Christian Americans loved it?

Bangalore was flooded by 10,000 Para military troopers, water hoses, sniffer dogs to protect the event from the protestors. “Shashikala, leader of Mahila Jagran Samiti (Forum for Awakening Women) which had promised the immolation protest, remained at large, police said. But an unemployed man in southern India died after setting himself ablaze in protest.”  
Lady Gaga and Jennifer Lopez had to mend their dance moves for the fear of riots, you cannot call this a Muslim thing either, the same things have happened everywhere in different parts of the world with different pretexts. 

As far as Greg Gutfeld throwing in the London incident of hacking a soldier without giving me the time to respond was not the right thing, he should not have brought it up to begin with. Greg Gutfeld’s fears are misdirected. If I was the police commissioner of United Kingdom, I would have said this to the criminal, “Shut up you criminal, you violently hacked another being to death for no reason, I am going to book you, you can plead insanity, I may have that evaluated, but if you abuse your religion or Qur’an, I am not going to spare you – no Muslim organization in UK had authorized you, and neither Quran authorized you to murder another being – As a civil society, we know only one thing – you are a plain criminal, pleading religion is inadmissible, you are in for a long haul and a criminal.”

Let the Muslims protest, it is their right to do and we have to admire their freedom. 

.......................... BILL O'REILLY PUBLISHED THIS ...............

Impact Segment II 

Bikinis banned at pageant
http://www.billoreilly.com/show?action=latestTVShow

In an effort to placate religious Muslims, organizers of the Miss World competition have jettisoned the bikini competition for this year's pageant in majority-Muslim Indonesia. Greg debated the ban with Mike Ghouse of the World Muslim Congress. "I stand with the Muslims and their sensitivities," Ghouse said. "They have the right to defend what they believe in and we should be proud of them for protesting, which is the sign of a healthy democracy. This is a business decision - if you want to open a restaurant in a Jewish neighborhood, you want to sell kosher food. In this case, they're doing this show in a predominantly Muslim country." But Greg contended that the move was made primarily out of fear: "I have a feeling it's more about capitulation than sensitivity, it's the intolerance of Muslims who threaten violence."
..................

Mike Ghouse is a speaker, thinker and a writer on pluralism, politics, peace, Islam,Israel, India, interfaith, and cohesion at work place. He is committed to building aCohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day atwww.TheGhousediary.com. He believes in Standing up for others and has done that throughout his life as an activist. Mike has a presence on national and local TV, Radio and Print Media. He is a frequent guest on Sean Hannity show on Fox TV, and a commentator on national radio networks, he contributes weekly to the Texas Faith Column at Dallas Morning News; fortnightly at Huffington post; and several other periodicals across the world. His personal site www.MikeGhouse.net indexes his work through many links.

Rape victim and 'black virgin' Kainat Soomro condemned to die in Pakistan over rape

• BY:
  BY CANDACE SUTTON 
• From:
• news.com.au 
• June 03, 2013 10:36AM

• Increase Text Size
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• Image
• TRAILER Outlawed in Pakistan

"Balck virgin", teenage rape victim Kainat Soomro is "destined to be killed. Picture: Hilke Schellmann Source: OverseasWHEN she was gang-raped by four men at the age of 13, her village classed her as a "black virgin" and ordered her killed.

In the rural village of Dadu in southern Pakistan, tradition held that Kainat Soomro's own family should murder her, as her sexual assault had made her a token of disgrace.

Four years later, Kainat is alive and a documentary about her story is premiering on television in the US.

But that doesn't mean she or her family is safe.

As the film Outlawed in Pakistan shows, Kainat Soomro is still "destined to be killed" because she took the step - extraordinary in Pakistan - of fighting for justice.

The film is a testament to her family’s strength and endurance in a life which has only become more difficult the longer they have stood up against tradition.

The Soomros have faced isolation, fear and intimidation from the four men Kainat accused of raping her, and from the members of the small village who were afraid of challenging moral laws which have been in existence for centuries.

By virtue of making the rape accusation, Kainat is an outlaw in her own country.

The film, which was selected for screening in the 2013 Sundance Film Festival, retells the story of the young girl’s attack while walking home from school down a narrow village street by a shop where Kainat says the owner, Shaban Saikh, and three other men including a father and son held her down and sexually assaulted her.

The village declared her "kari", or a black virgin, and ordered her family to carry out an honor killing to end the shame a rape victim brings to a family, according to Pakistani culture.

The alleged rapists beat her father and one of her brothers. Her older brother went missing for three months and was found murdered.

But Kainat's parents refused to kill their daughter, instead deciding to take up her cause in a legal system which places the burden of proof on the victim.

"They told me I am not a real man," Kainat’s brother, Sabir tells the film-makers, Habiba Nosheen and Hilke Schellmann, "[that] you failed to follow your tradition, you failed to kill your sister."

Meanwhile, threats of death and further violence have forced the Soomros from the house they owned in Dadu to the city of Karachi, where all 18 family members now live in a two-bedroom apartment.

The men are unable to find work, so the women embroider fabrics to pay rent and they often have to resort to asking charities for food.

Her father says the family has "lost everything" pursuing the case in which neither the police or government authorities will take any responsibility.

When Kainat attends court she undergoes a barrage of "nasty" questions, up to 300 at a time, including "what part of your clothing did you remove?" or "who raped you first?".

The presiding judge is affronted that Kainat has brought the charges, and rules against her in part because she has accused a father and son of a gang rape.

"In his view," the film’s narrator says, "he said that would never happen in Pakistan" and describes Kainat’s accusations "as a product of her own fantasy".

The men are acquitted, and, in an interview with the film makers, appear bewildered at why their accuser didn't just stay at home "and keep quiet".

They see their acquittal as proof Kainat "does not have good character. If she was a decent woman, she would have sat at home, silent."

The film portrays Kainat's persistence in her quest for justice, hiring an attorney, making television appearances, appealing court decisions and her unwillingness to back down in the face of continued adversity as heroic.

Even as Kainat and her family say they will fight on, perhaps for years, her lawyer suggests the future will be difficult.