TALIBAN: REIGN OF TERROR
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In February 2009, after Taliban took over Swat valley in northern Pakistan, this former tourist resort and it’s peaceful villages, were forced to live under strict traditional Islamic law. Floggings and other physical punishments were imposed and a crude form of gun justice prevailed.
At this time, a mobile video was released showing a girl named Chaand, believed to be aged 17, being publicly flogged on suspicion of having an illicit relationship with a married man. "She came out of her house with another guy who was not her husband, so we punished her. There are boundaries you cannot cross," claimed the Taliban spokesman when later reached on the phone.
This blog is dedicated to her and all women like her who have suffered countless hardships under the Taliban regime.
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Her legs feel like lead as she’s slowly dragged towards the town square. The sun beats down merciless on her burqa-clad head, almost as relentless as the hard grip of the militant carrying a Kalashnikov next to her. There are eyes everywhere..... watching her.... appraising her..... a mixture of undisguised dread and horror staring back at her.
Do they pity her or are they just curious to partake in this show of brutal justice that Taliban have put on for them? Yet, she can sense fear in the still air, not just her own but that of those around her. She can almost taste it against her dry mouth: cold dark, caustic..... it's the helpless fear of the suppressed against a power too strong and alien for them to resist, let alone understand. Despair, like a grey mist lies at her trembling feet, as she slowly treads towards her doom….like falling into a dark bottomless pit from which there is no return.
Someone has pushed her to the ground now, her limbs pinned down with steel like force. She recognizes one man, the one holding her feet, as her own brother. Having grown up and played together as children, she would know his hands anywhere. He hangs his head low now, too scared to challenge the Taliban judgment that his sister has brought ‘dishonor’ to the family and must be publicly flogged for it.
Another man with a long beard is muttering an Arabic prayer…the words reaching her in a muffled haze in which her own beating heart is the loudest. Panic chokes her; her slim body is shaking with terror that makes her bones rattle to their very core. Someone must stop this…must see the horrible injustice of it all! But no one does. And slowly, with brutal force, the whips begin to fall..
"Please stop it," she begs, whimpering in pain. "Either kill me or stop it now." The crowd of men form a tense circle around her - the faceless witness to this crime. Off camera, a voice issues instructions. "Hold her legs tightly," he says as she writhes under the blows. 34 times the leather cracks..... A year of her life taken away with each.
Did god in some remote place above witness this horror, and long to reach out and put an end to it? Or was he too like the mute stander by looking on, condemning her to this hard judgment? Why didn’t the whole world cave in at this cruel and ruthless deed…more, how could these men stand and watch the death of an innocent soul, only to go back to their lives without the guilt of blood on their hands?
They did…and so did the gods in their private receding heaven. While the whip kept cutting through her skin, and the humiliation of the act marked a million scars on her heart and mind that would follow her to her grave. Bleeding forever.
And her screams rose and fell with each stinging lash, heedless, unheard…while her tears soaked the cloth of her shame… melting into the hot parched sand below her. Wasted away..... in that arid land where tears and blood mingle together each day....... and where there is no mercy from man and god alike.
Since the release of the flogging
video, there have been massive protests all over pakistan against the taliban
invasion in its north. The Military is currently engaged in an offensive
against them, having reclaimed Swat valley from Taliban stronghold. Chaand
was later brought to lahore for a trial; the facts of the case are unverified
to this day.
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Comments
Thank you for this HUB, It is a stark reminder that there are evils in the world that we as free peoples must stand up against. God Bless and Gods Speed to the Pakistan Army on their current Operations they are in my thoughts and prayers..
thank you Richi and Hmrjmr1 for reading...I'm not sure if war is the answer, but yes, the common man continues to suffer nevertheless....peace to all! cheers for stopping by!
This was yet another great hub. I work with a woman from Iran, and shes told me simiular stories. That's a hard place to live, and there is no reason for it. Outstanding job!
the tragedy is that Pakistan was never a typical muslim country (unlike arab ones) but its culture was/still is essentially indian, till of course the war in afghanistan sprouted these taliban all over the land and who are slowly destroying it now. anyway, cheers for reading blood....u know your support means the world to me!
We live in our own little cubicles most of the time forgetting that others are not as fortunate. Really helps to put things into perspective. Thanks for the reminder.
This is a very interesting hub. I think there is abuse of Islamic rules there in Swat which surely must be stopped. All terrorism, anywhere and any kind, must be condemned and stopped.
This tragic tale was so beautifully told that in my heart of hearts I wanted to do something to help this woman. However, I may just be a dreamer and dream of a world where peace rains over all the lands and there is no more injustice done. I will continue to pray for peace. Your writing is so good that reading your stories is like watching a movie for me. Great job.
I remember watching the video of Chaand in disbelief when it happened. The unfortunate thing is it's not just the Taliban that hand out beatings, here in N Ireland they serve out Paramilitary beatings on a regular basis.
I love your writing because you live that persons life and knowing what a fun person you are in real life being able to switch and write about such a dark topic is a talent but hey, I knew that from day one, great hub, well worth the wait !
Another great hub. Once again you capture the anguish. It wasn't that long ago that we in the west were permitted to beat women with a stick provided it was no thicker than the thumb. We have learnt better (I hope). May such understanding come to all people of our planet.
A very warm thank you to all for reading and taking the time to comment.
ehern, yes, being open to human suffering does make you value what you have...so I suppose there is some 'purpose' to it all...!
agusfanani, I too agree that terrorism must be condemned, but I really don't know if wars are helping matters. After all, pakistan was a very moderate state, till the russian invasion of afghanistan. my concern is the ordinary men, women and children caught in between...wish we could somehow protect them through this.
ah wesley, my dear friend....I always value your feedback. it's so much better to dream of happier places.....and may they one day translate into reality!
HT....a smile on my face as always when i read anything from you! everyone has different sides to them...and just like you, I too have this part which is deeply sensitive and 'old' and very vulnerable too. but yes, when u see so much human misery so close, u just begin to enjoy the little joys of life...and everyday struggles can never affect your peace of mind anymore...xx
last, but not least, cally2 I know what u mean...human nature is the same everywhere..and all societies go through a slow evolving process. and foreign invasion doesn't help either...! anyway, peace to all...and all my love..
Tears in my eyes
As a Muslim I am disagree with what they did. Any kind of terror is unforgivable. Taliban is too extreme. With fellow Muslims still do terror. I hope the terror will end...amen
thanks quirky and prasetio for reading and feeling with me....just a silent warm hug...x
This hub just sent chills, I'm so thankful that I don't live there. Thank you for making me aware how awful things are there for women.
I dont know what to say. Oppression is the desire for full control. But the army is starting to fight back against this oppression. I wish the best for your Country.
What we deem here in the States as an "issue" is insignificant and petty in comparison to Chaand's ill-treatment. You have such a talent for narration, myownworld, and the compassion to empathize with others. Thank you for sharing this.
thank you flightkeeper, friendlyword and dohn for reading... unfortunately, it wasn't always like that...just since the war in afghanistan....but hope is a very stubborn thing and lives in the hearts of men even in the worst of situations, so all is not lost. Anyway, cheers for stopping by...all my love.
Great hub. Being an Indian, I know what Pakistanis are undergoing for no fault of theirs and though we are different countries the culture is still the same. There is no hatredness people to people but its the politicians who have ruined it. Taliban will face its end sooner than later. Nothing is permamnent. Keep up the good work.
jay..do u know my father is from Raajistan? (and so I'm half indian too). Yes, the average man everywhere is the same...just paying the price of bad decisions by those in power. peace to everyone! thanks for reading and understanding...
A well told horror story. I just have no words to convey my feelings, well I do, but not appropriate here, too blue. And in my understanding, God does not look upon sin, this is sinful. His angels see it and report, still it makes one wonder how he could allow such things and worse.
Pakistan and the terrorist activities are well known all over the world. I think only an able leader and a great revolution can change the present Pakistan. People should be aware of what is going on around them...think of the nation's development, as well as educating their children in a right way, like in other countries.
What a horror story! I didn't see that video (and thank God for that) but I can feel the pain through your hub. I pity that woman and everybody else who underwent the same treatment as hers. I hope everything will change for the better. Great hub myownworld. Hope you continue to grace us with your wonderful writing.
Great incite into the vicious activities of religious zealots.
yes, ralwus, 'horror' is the word. Just imagine the victim's thoughts: i don't blame them for questioning universal mercy then...in their place, I guess anyone would. anyway, cheers my friend for reading...x
thank you emievil for the lovely comment..! smiling your way...
I agree Filipino.. all religious fervor taken to an extreme can be destructive. thanks fot stopping by!
The sheer power of your words is amazing. Reading your words made me feel as though I was a powerless bystander to that horrific act. Unsettling to say the least. Yet there is hope with writers like you spreading the word and educating those that are not as close to the subject under discussion. May peace eventually prevail!
loved your wonderful comment Peggy! yes, one feels so powerless against all the cruelly in this world, esp. human suffering caused by it...but I believe there is much 'good' in people too...and as long as there's someone making a difference, hope lives on..! thank you once again...
I have nothing to say. I want you to know I read this, is all. It's brutality and your expression of it speaks all that is necessary. Thank you.
storytellers...I know...this is beyond words actually and perhaps, silence is the most befitting response to it. thank you for feeling with me....
This is powerful writing which tugs at the heart and leaves an indelible imprint on the soul. It is hard to accept that one human being is capable of inflicting this level of cruelty upon another, and all in God's name.
You succeed in demolishing the protective shell of our indifference. Thank you.
sanny, coming from a writer I so admire, your words mean a lot to me! thank you for reading and appreciating! hope lives on through these words..
Gosh! I am not so much shocked as overwhelmed... you just have a way to guide us into places we've chosen to ignore before coming across your hubs... so well done! I would like to say one thing though... it is often easy to place blame or responsibility onto others & God is one of those others... I don't think God wants to mess about with free will. We have been given the beauty of life & love and evil exist because without, we would not know that there is any beauty yet therefore possibly take it for granted. It is for each human to choose from free will what his/her life adheres!
Thanks for opening wide our lazy eyes!!! Care, TG
Terence...ah always the most insightful comments! I know...and i so agree with what you're saying...and personally, in my life, that is exactly my view of god and his workings. but I wrote this hub from the eyes of the victims...and having talked to some of them in real life, this is just how they think...so have only given voice to their true feelings. anyway, you're a writer's dream reader! thanks x
Myownworld, I can sense the tears as you write. You have painted another 'still life' masterpiece. The innocent and the guilty return to God, and we all know which are to be rewarded, and which are not. You bring the harshness of human existence kicking and screaming into public view, and good for you. I like your writing, and I like you.
yes English, I think the image of this woman haunted me for days and I could not rest till I'd at least given voice to the suffering she must have endured! thank you for your wonderful comment....you always make my day! all my love...and much hope..
Once again, you amaze me. I'm speechless
ah duchess...there is nothing left to say after reading about this horrific deed, so am just sending you my love. thank you for reading. x
Your hub made me realise, even more so, why my son risks his life fighting the Taliban. Thankyou for your words.
Nigel...do you have a son in the army? oh...then you must know all about the horrors and suffering Taaliban and wars wreck in the lives of ordinary people! all my wishes and love for you and your family! thank you for reading.
You have a rare gift for opening the eyes and hearts of others. I'm so thankful for living in the US!
thank you Habee for the lovely comment. yes, i know...it's amazing how much freedom women living in the west have and I myself value every minute of it! cheers friend for reading! x
They call this a "Honour Killing." I see no honor in the brutal killing of an innocent.
I agree TnFlash. thanks for reading and commenting!
Richimag says:
5 weeks ago
Is a daily reality and people try not to see.
unfortunately it is a good hub.
I am waiting for a better world.