I want to talk about the grief and sorrow of my heart, the grief that with each day grows heavier on my heart.
I am 23 years old and for most of my life, I have lived in the dreams of my childhood, in a life where everything is good. There is no pain, no grief, no sorrow. I’ve spent my whole life playing with dolls and toys, with things that bring happiness and put a smile on my face.
But now as I get older, as I get to know the people in my society and see their real habits, my nice life has started to crumble. Nothing is normal. Nothing is okay. The castle of my beliefs is ruined and when I see these ruins, the world loses its value for me. Observing the people around me has created this question in my mind: Is this life my “right” or is my life to be determined as others feel privileged to decide?
I know that life is a gift of Allah to all humans and all creatures. But today “woman” means a man’s slave; men are owners of women in my country. Men decide a woman’s destiny. But I believe all humanity are God’s creatures and there is no difference among people, except in their faith and honesty, nothing else. We people divided ourselves into tribes and divided men from women. Everyone is so proud to be from a certain tribe or proud to be a man.
When I want to complain or ask for something, people say to me, “Breathing is enough for you. You should be grateful that you are alive, so don’t ask anything more.”
When I think about these things, my heart fills with hot anger. It is the greatest pain and I don’t know how to resolve it.
By Zahra M.
Photo by Rita M.
Zahra, thankyou for acknowledging the difficulty faced by all women. You are setting aside the thoughts of a child and becoming more aware of how unimportant women are seen to be as individuals. I too agree that we need to veer away from the division of ‘tribes’ and ‘gender’. I believe that we each have a right to be individuals, free from discrimination based on race colour, creed and gender. Please continue to write and express these thoughts of yours, echoed by many women. May you find peace in your heart ♥
Dear Anne, thanks a lot for your nice comment. sure I continue writing for my and other women rights and I hope that see that day that no any woman, deprives of her rights and natural privileges for this reason that she is a woman.
Dear Zahra,
This is such a tremendous piece. It makes me sad inside. I don’t want you to have a heavy heart. I would like for you to have a light heart, one filled with happiness. Howsoever you can, find it in the little things–in the warmth from the sunshine, in the blue of the sky, in the sound of the birds. This is my wish for you.
Stay strong, and walk tall,
Bethany
Dear Bethany,
Thanks you so much for your comment, consultation and your kind wish for me. How ever I try my best but its difficult to not get effected or influenced by external factors, it requires a constant struggle and a strong person who is not me, but I am trying to become strong. Thanks
Dear Zahra,
Your comments humble me. I am a 50 year old woman, a grandmother, and I have never faced a struggle such as yours. You are brave beyond words and strong beyond measure. Do not think otherwise. I will answer your question. Yes, you have a right to your life. Others may try to take it from you, but your life is still yours. I know change comes slowly to a society, and I also know that women like you, young and brave, are the beacon that will light the way for your daughters and your sons. Change will happen only if there are those brave enough to begin the change, and you are one of those people. You will teach your daughters to be proud to be a woman, you will teach your sons to respect women as equals. Even if you have no children, you will teach those younger than you, by example and with words, that the time of women being slaves to men has passed. I wish you all the best in the world, and want you to know you have my respect and admiration.
Sincerely,
Robbie
Zahra,
Thank you for an amazing and ver strong essay! Keep that fire in your heart. Keep that fire burning strong and use those flames to warm your soul and to light your days and nights. This is a fire that burns for justice, for truth and for beauty.
The struggle is long, but you and yours can make a better world.
With much love,
Alice
Zahra,
I want you to know that I care very much for you and the women in your country. I care about your pain, the oppression,and all girls and women who carry such heavy burdens. My heart is heavy when I think of all that women have suffered. My anger is hot, too. You are loved. You are powerful. You are your own person. You are as important, as worthy, as precious as any man.