Who is Dr. Aafia Siddiqui?
Why is the world's largest superpower afraid of an 80 lb shell of a woman?
This is a feature story based on the struggle and research of one sister to free another.
Dr. Aafia Siddiqui is the youngest of three children born to an educated middle class family from Pakistan. Aafia's father was a UK trained doctor who served in many underserved regions of the world like South Central and North Africa. Her mother was a social worker motivated by a mission to help the poor and needy. The lesson these parents gave to their children was do whatever you like in this world as long as it is substantial and worthwhile; something that will make a difference.
Aafia's elder brother chose to be an architect and wished to contribute to creating a more beautiful world. Her elder sister thought nothing could be more substantial and worthwhile than to be a physician. And Aafia decided to pursue the field of education, become what we call an "educationist". Her aim, her goal, her mission in life was to improve the education system in the third world, especially her homeland of Pakistan. She believed a better education is the key to all our miseries – be they human rights violations or economic turmoil.
Aafia was born in Pakistan and started her early primary education in South Central Africa, where her father was posted. Then returning to Pakistan, she did her matriculation from Gulistan Shah Abdul Latif School and completed her intermediate education from St. Josephs College in Karachi.
Through out her primary and secondary education she continued to excel in all academic endeavors and received numerous awards in both curricular and extracurricular activities. Among them are the Midtowners essay writng, National debating and eloquence certificates,Letraplay, Diners club talent hunt, Best girl of the School, Head girl, best all rounder, Highest marks in school through out, Presidential outstanding performance award and numerous others.
Recognizing her academic excellence and drive to succeed and make a change, her family decided to send her to the United States at the tender age of 17 to get the kind of education she could not get anywhere else in the world. Her family cherished the values of love, kindness and justice – to give to others when one is blessed, to care for people in need and to help the helpless. They trusted that these were values that America stood for.
Childhood:
As a child Aafia loved dolls and balloons. They were her life, her treasure and as she started school she loved reading ladybird books, then fairytales and then Enid Blyton books.
Being the youngest, she was the most pampered and being bright and pretty as well as very cheerful, she was her father's nightingale, her mother's pride and joy, her brother's baby sister and for her elder sister, Aafia was simply special.
Aafia's was always been very sensitive and selfless. Emotionally, she would faint at the sight of blood and avoided arguments. She could not stand being scolded and tried to do things to perfection. Absence of mistakes would avoid unpleasantness. She would take on blame just to avoid argument, or bickering. If a maid broke a glass or something that would upset our mom, Aafia would immediately take the blame.
She loved to pose for the camera, wear latest fashion clothes, matching jewelry and flowery prints in tinges of peach and sea green. She preferred soft Egyptian cotton and pure silk. Her skin was was very sensitive to Polyester or any rough or stiff material.
From her early days, animals, children and the elderly were her weakness. Much of her time was spent either teaching the maid's kids to read and write, grooming her several pets or just sitting with grandmother.
Love for Animals:
Animals were always part of our family but Aafia penchant for picking up strays and nursing wounded animals helped create a children's zoo of sorts. Her collection included dogs (Two German Shepards and a Bull Terrier), a variety of cats , geese, turtles, parrots, pigeons, occasional goats and, at any given time, a variety of strays on being nursed on their way to a shelter or some adoption family. Once she brought home a rabid dog, got bitten, had to get 14 shots in the belly but that did not deter her from caring for these helpless creatures, nor from volunteering for the SPCA.
Love for Children:
It would be hard to find anyone who would openly say they dislike children. For some reason Aafia was always drawn to children, specially orpnas, often spending time at orphanages. Once there was a storm in Karachi and one of the slum areas was flooded and the women and children were stranded. Aafia brought them all to our home and gave them shelter, She had all the children in our TV lounge watching TV. I remember a couple of renowned social workers, when called to help, came and said "why did you bring them inside? These people will fill your house with germs, they are used to these hardships. They can survive." That night Aafia cried so much I can never forget the hurt she felt and kept saying: "Are they not humans??? What if I was born in that family? Is that how I would be treated? How do people get so mean?"
Little did she know what a mean world was waiting for her.
Love for the Elderly:
It seems Aafia was attracted to help those who who do not verbally say thank you most of the time like kids, animals, old people. She would regularly visit old aunties, volunteer at old people homes or do their chores and walk their pets.
A transcript of an interview published when Aafia was in the ninth grade is attached to give an idea of her extraordinary achievements and summarizes her life in Pakistan.
LIFE in the US:
Aafia's life in the Unired States started with full focus on academic pursuits. She initially attended the University of Houston and achieved a place on the National Deans list. Within a year, Aafia had received a full scholarship to MIT and decided to move to Boston.
During her tenure at MIT, Aafia participated in some extra-curricular charitibale work, worked at the library and started setting up "Dawah" tables at different university events. She joined the MSA (Muslim Students Association). Her commitment to help the oppressed made her stand up to help the Bosnian Refujees that arrived in the US. She helped raise more funds than many of the societies and NGOs of Boston put together.
She was deeply touched by the wars in different parts of the world, and the oppression faced by the third world, and the propaganda against Islam.
At MIT she received the Carroll Wilson Award for a research paper on "Islamization in Pakistan and its effect on Women" (abstract attached). She attended classes and opened dialogues on the existence of man and interacted with renowned scholars like Naom Chomsky. After one of her dialogues on "God Exists" Naom Chomsky said "Aafia is an institute in her self. She will influence change wherever she goes". Aafia received several awards and recognitions for her academic and extra curricular achievements.
She was never argumentative and was known for being soft spoken and kind hearted. She had respect and love for the Holy books – the Torah, the Bible and the Quran. She believed them to be a continuing chain evolved to salvage mankind. She kept all the scriptures very close to her heart. She always used to show frustration at a very simple fact "I don't understand, it's the same God, the same heaven and hell, the same angels, we are all offsprings of the same Adam and Eve. Why then all this discrimination?"
She believed Education was the solution to all the violations of human rights, discrimination and poverty.
Marriage
Shortly after graduation from MIT, Aafia was married by family arrangement.
Her "Nikah" (Marriage vows) were telephonic – in that they were conducted long distance over the telephone. Her husband-to0be, Amjad Khan was in Pakistan and she was in the US. She never met or saw the person she was destined to betroth. Her parents obviously thought he was a good person and a good match. His mother had asked for Aafia's hand for all her sons. She claimed to love Aafia immensely and considered her self to be most blessed if Aafia were to become part of their family.
After their union in the US, Aafia's smile started to fade away. Soon she started her MS/PHD at Brandies University, the most prestigious Jewish inistitution in the United States. The high level stress of university studies, a difficult pregnancy, non supportive husband, …and her bright flowery clothes changed to dull shades. Her social life was now limited to cooking, cleaning, changing diapers and studying.
After some adjustment, she restarted her Dawah center through which she distributed free copies of the Pikthal translation of Qurans to those who were interested.
Aafia was always worried for her children. Like her dolls, she put her life and soul into not only her children, but also those of her sister. Their slightest pain , even a sneeze was enough to increase her anxiety. She opened a play group for little children after her PHd to apply her knowledge in making learning more efficient and enjoyable and started working on a whole 10 year program to change the education system of Pakistan. No one ever accused Aafia of having low aims.
Meanwhile, her marriage was disintegrating. Aafia, an outgoing, joyful, very social person was stuck with an equally antisocial, narsisitic personality who had very strange concepts of having pictures taken , attending events or social gatherings and made lame excuses on family get togethers. He would often spend time, some times days, in the local "musalla" (prayer room) gaining inner peace. (Exerpts from the union council and copy of letter to Aafia's mother attached).
There is ample proof that Aafia was physically and mentally abused as university mates and collegues repeatedly saw bruises on hr face and arms. Who would have thought that this was in preparation for the torture that awaited her in future.
Bil ahtamam zulm ki tajdeed ki gai
Aur hum ko sabr o zubt ki takeed ki gai
Once, when she was so badly wounded leaving her unable to eat or talk for weeks, her sister asked why don't you leave this jerk?. Aafia said, "They will take my children from me, and I would rather be beaten everyday and abused than lose my children."
This was her weakness and everyone who knew her knew this. It seems this weakness was her worst enemy. While she was successful in everything she did, it seems she could not accept the failure of her marriage. The stigma of a devorce and the society pressure of child custudy, was so strong that she preferred to become a doormat than bear that. It was not difficult first for her husband and later her captors to use this against her – one of the most heinous forms of mental coercion in the history of mankind.
For Aafia, being so talented, highly educated, eloquent and strong on one hand and a Muslim Pakistani woman in the 21st century on the other was a very uneven balance. And all the inequities of this imbalance were more than Aafia could manage. It seems that, in the end being a woman was Aafia's primary liability.
The PhD:
Aafia did her PhD in cognitive neuroscience, with the aim to make learning more effective and efficient. (Abstract attached). Her research could have aided millions of children everywhere. With her education and passion for children, she would have been a brilliant light in the darkest corners of this world. Aafia's mother believed that "My daughter would have been an asset in a world that needs these values more than ever."
One of the more cruel acts of defamation against Aafia has been the deliberate distortion of her education and thesis as something sinister. Her thesis was nowhere near any chemical or biological research. As her professor, Dr. Secular said "Our 'lab' was not even certified to store bleach!".
Love for Children, and the elderly:
Aafia volunteered with old people homes, did their groceries, walked their pets and help bathe and dress them. She also volunteered with autistic kids and after her PhD volunteered and taught at a school for dyslexic children. She raised her voice and acted for those who no one understood i.e the elderly and the retarded.
Love For Americans:
Aafia was impressed with much in America. The work ethic and general honesty of the people. The recognition of merit and the the stated desire to pursue fairness. But Aafia also worried about the social fragmentation of the society. When asked: "Aafia why do you fret over what is going on? Why do you worry that depression is prevalent and why so many Americans are on Prozac?" "My dear sister", Aafia would say, "I love America, and its people, all my dearest friends are Americans. When I am depressed the Quran gives me hope and courage and I feel better and function with renewed vigor. I wish I can spread this remedy to every American."
Love for Pakistan:
Aafia loved her homeland of Pakistan and did not take American citizenship even though the opportunity was offered to her. She blamed the lack of proper education as the root of all Pakistan's problems. She believed that if a new generation would get a high quality education in the most efficient and effective way, with proper grooming, and in an affordable manner, each Pakistani would be respected and have a status that would generate respect. Hence a proper democratic government and strong economy would develop. Her 10 year education plan would have transformed the society setup within 15 years from a loan laden third world nation to a self sufficient, proud nation.
Worldwide Muslims Rendition, Massacre and Aafia:
Aafia was deeply touched and saddened by the torture and rendition and the selective genocide of muslims worldwide. She used to say the muslim ummah is to blame for this. They do not practice Islam and have forgotten the teachings of the prophets and have put aside the Quran. If the true Quranic teachings are implemented we would be a strong ummah filled with love and tolerance, honesty and integrity, justice and equality. A society that condemns terrorism, and believes that killing of one innocent person is like the killing of the whole of humanity. Where, if one person in the public is hungry the ruler will not sleep until that person is fed, where a deer can drink from the same water hole at the sametime with a lion, with no fear of being attacked.
When Bosnian and Muslim women and children were being raped and tortured, Aafia would cry. She knew that the Quran in Sura-e-Nisa verse 75 ……
"what has happened to you that you do not respond to the calls of the elderly, the women and children who have been subdued and tortured due to their weakness, they cry: 'O Lord save us from this place where people are cruel, and send us a savior"
So, she stood up and gathered donations and probably managed to collect one of the highest single handed funds for this cause. It shows that her honesty and integrity and sincerety among the society was such that people trusted her alone more than others.
In summary Aafia's life was one of a great missionary, filled with love and humility. She achieved and performed great deeds and sacrifices at such a young and tender age that had any Jew or Christian woman achieved half of what Aafia has done, she would have been awarded Nobel prizes for her missionary work, Awards for her sacrifice and medals for bravery and valor…..But Aafia Siddiqui is a practicing muslim woman with the highest level of modern education, for whom, Prof. Naom Choamski said "Aafia is an Institution in herself….She will bring change wherever she goes"
--
Anwar Ul Haque
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