To start off, Hafiz Hamdullah’s failed attempts at intimidating and shouting down Marvi Sermid are a continuation of his past behaviour during televised debates
It also seems the pious senator reserves the worst of his bullying for the fairer sex
And this is the crux of the issue - I believe the honourable Hafiz was apoplectic not because he was being challenged but because it was a woman who was standing up to him
He seemed incensed that Ms Sermid was not yielding to his commands
His extremely sexist expletive and threats to summarily disrobe Ms Sermid are a further confirmation of his shameless misogyny and the cause of his anger
It would be easy to dismiss Hamdullah’s behaviour as an isolated instance; unfortunately it is anything but
Khwaja Asif’s tasteless insult of Shireen Mazari and the Council of Islamic Ideology’s vacuous proclamations regarding treatment of women are recent examples of how women are viewed by too many in Pakistan
Something repellent has, for far too long, been stalking the nation in the guise of religiosity and patriotism
If we do not hold those nurturing and perpetuating regressive social mechanisms accountable they will continue to block all avenues to civil liberties for women and minorities
Ms Sermid set an example worth emulating
In refusing to submit to bullying and elaborating on the incident on social media she exposed Hafiz Hamdullah’s true nature
https://twitter
com/marvisirmed/status/741240707776696321?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw https://twitter
com/marvisirmed/status/741241473652391936?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw https://twitter
com/marvisirmed/status/741241677671747584?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw https://twitter
com/marvisirmed/status/741241871285035008?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw https://twitter
com/marvisirmed/status/741242069218414592?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw https://twitter
com/marvisirmed/status/741242220444037120?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw https://twitter
com/marvisirmed/status/741242443899764737?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw There is no place in a liberated self-respecting country for those men who do not consider women their equals
These self-appointed sentinels of faith and country must be exposed for the protectors of misogyny and ignorance that they are
Let us all follow the example of Ms Sermid and not give an inch to those who would dictate morals to others and not have the common decency to unequivocally condemn and oppose a crime as monstrous as honour killings
Ms Sermid has been shot at, harrassed and her character repeatedly attacked
Despite all this she has continued to raise a voice for women and minority rights
Not only is she more courageous than her opponents she is far more faithful to her values as well
| Date: | 15-Jun-2016 | Reference: | View Original Link |
|---|