Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtianior
One of my first friends in colleges was a woman from Iran. She was a few years ahead of me, and lived in my dorm. I do not know why we became friends, but we did. She looked exotic, but not because she was Iranian, rather because she had a certain quality which exuded a knowingness and worldliness which most residents of Holt Hall lacked. She dressed elegantly, with a style all of her own, and when she spoke her words were deliberate but kind. Perhaps, it was our late night hours that led us into conversations which most people had no interest in, or our mutual engagement in politics and world affairs. Her story was heart wrenching, she had come to the United States to study, in high school, and due to the revolution, she was now alone in the Americas. She was the first person to tell me about female circumcision and the treatment of women in the Middle East. She saw the world differently, and had a strength which I found remarkable. After I left Redlands, we lost touch, as so often happens with circumstantial friends, but I have never forgotten her or lost my interest in her country. A year later, or so, I met Shahnaz, in whom I found so many similar outstanding qualities, and who has continued to share her fascinating culture with me. I am grateful for such encounters and such friends.
In the past, I have been accused of being on a soap box regarding Iran. That may be, and I will not apologize for my passions – any of them. As you may have already heard, either through these pages or news outlets throughout the world, there is a woman in Iran, Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtianior, who has been sentenced to death, by stoning.
This woman has already served five years in prison, and endured 99 lashes, for the accused adultery. Her son watched his mother lashed, and believed that her ordeal was over. Instead, though she had already been cleared of involvement in her husband’s death, the judges decided that she had taken part in her husband’s death, not based on evidence presented in court, but rather due to what is called “judges’ knowledge”.
Women sentenced to be stoned, under Shari’a law, Article 104 of Iran’s penal code, are buried up to their neck while men are buried to their waste; this matters, as the law provides for clemency, if the convict is able to free themselves from the ground. Both men and women’s hands are bound. There are also very specific regulations regarding the size of the stones which are to be used. The stone cannot be too big, as it might cause instantaneous death, nor can they be so small as not to inflict pain. Who writes such laws?
I have many Muslim friends that staunchly state that what Iran is doing is not what Islam teaches. I do not care if this woman is guilty of adultery or even murder, and it is not because I am an advocate of either practice; rather I am against torture! I do not know how anyone endures being lashed 99 times; I truly cannot imagine what that must have been like. Nor can I understand systematic torture.
I do have this strange love for Iran, strange because I have never been there, and do not speak Farsi, though I must admit I am not that wild about their music – sorry – but there is something about the Iranian soul and spirit which speak to me – her ancient culture, her love of family and tradition, her children’s exile and subjugation to despots.
Today I urge you to act. Public opinion always matters. Below is an Amnesty International link, which you can follow to sign a petition to stop stoning in Iran, please take a moment and sign it. Thank you.
http://www.amnesty.org/en/appeals-for-action/end-execution-stoning-iran
