By Sue Silvermarie, an American supporter of RAWA Based in part on the testimony given by Zarghuna Waziri at the UN tribunal in December 1998, on the eve of the 50th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
http://www.rawa.us/sue2.htm The Ghosts of Afghanistan When I couldn't breathe when I lifted a corner of the heavy burqa when I exposed my mouth and nose desperate to gulp air, they beat me unconscious When they beat us again with whips and metal cables while we waited in the hospital when the sick babies in their mothers' arms fell on the floor, my will to live began to tremble. In the summer of 96 we laughed. I can't remember the sound. Before that September when the Taliban came we were no different than you Now we are the ghosts of Afghanistan The women and the girls of a whole country under house arrest. For trying to go to work, my sister was beaten For leaving her home alone, my neighbor was tortured For showing her ankle as she rode behind her husband on a bike my girlfriend was shot dead on the street. My children are shrinking before my eyes but I am banned from receiving food from the World Food Programme. In the orphanage are girls who have never seen the sun or trees My sons are being taught a man should beat a female who is seen even through the windows of a home or a bus. I view the world through a patch of mesh in a voluminous tent that pulls me to stooping The garment gates me, takes mobility and voice When the burqa descends over my tender head I am invisible, a living woman who can't be seen or heard My woman's will to live can strengthen only on the thread that connects me to you. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Join modern day disciples reach the disfigured and poor with hope and healing http://us.click.yahoo.com/lMct6A/Vp3LAA/i1hLAA/aYWolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Milis Wanita Muslimah Membangun citra wanita muslimah dalam diri, keluarga, maupun masyarakat. Situs Web: http://www.wanita-muslimah.com ARSIP DISKUSI : http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wanita-muslimah/messages Kirim Posting mailto:wanita-muslimah@yahoogroups.com Berhenti mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Milis Keluarga Sejahtera mailto:keluarga-sejahtera@yahoogroups.com Milis Anak Muda Islam mailto:majelismuda@yahoogroups.com This mailing list has a special spell casted to reject any attachment .... Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wanita-muslimah/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
