The Caged Virgin - Ayaan Hirsi Ali [68]
Amina’s Speech
O Allah, as I lie here wounded, my spirit broken
I hear in my head the judge’s voice as he pronounces me guilty.
The sentence I have to serve is in your words:
“The woman and the man guilty of adultery or fornication
flog each of them with a hundred stripes;
let no compassion move you in their case, in a matter prescribed by God,
if ye believe in God and the Last Day; and let a party of the believers witness their
punishment.” [This quotation in italics is written across Aisha’s body.]
Two years ago, on a sunny day, while in the souk my eyes were caught by those of
Rahman, the most handsome man I have ever met.
After that day, I couldn’t help but notice his presence whenever I went to the marketplace.
I was thrilled when I learned that his appearance in the bazaar was not a coincidence.
One day he suggested we meet in secret, and I said, “Yes.”
For months Rahman and I met, shared drinks and delicacies.
We danced and dreamed…yeah, we built beautiful castles in the air.
And we made love, on every secret meeting.
As the months went by our relationship deepened.
What is more, out of our love a new life started to grow.
Our happiness did not go unnoticed and before long, envious eyes gave way to malicious tongues.
“Let’s ignore these people and trust in Allah’s mercy.” Rahman and I said to each other.
Naïve, young, and in love perhaps, but we thought that Your holiness was on our side.
Rahman and I shared affection, trust, and a deep respect for each other; how can God disapprove? Why would He?
And so we ignored the mean tongues, and together we continued to live our dream, albeit in more secrecy.
O, Allah, until we were summoned to court and charged with fornication!
Rahman called me a day before we were to appear before the judge.
He said that his father had smuggled him out of the country. What a pity that my father happens to be a pious man, I thought.
Rahman told me that he loved me and that he would pray for me. He also encouraged me to be strong and have faith in you.
O Allah, how can I have faith in you? You who reduced my love to fornication?
I lie here flogged—abused and shamed—in your name.
The verdict that killed my faith in love is in your holy book.
Faith in you, submission to you, feels like—is—self-betrayal.
2. SAFIYA, WHO IS SYSTEMATICALLY
RAPED BY HER HUSBAND
Amina delivers the speech below, which tells the fate of an imaginary woman called Safiya. Meanwhile, the camera slowly turns from Amina to Safiya. We get a view of a beautiful woman from behind; she is wearing a full-length white robe with a low-cut back. Written across her back and thighs (the robe has a split at the front) we see the text from the Koran: chapter 2, verse 222 (Al-Baqara, or The Cow).
Amina’s Speech
When I was sixteen my father broke the news to me in the kitchen.
“You are going to marry Azziz; he is from a virtuous family, and he will take good care of you.”
When I saw pictures of Azziz, instead of feeling excitement I thought of him as unattractive, and even though I did my best to see the perfect whole,
I couldn’t help but notice his faulty details:
a scar on the lip, a bent nose, so much hair on the eyebrows.
My wedding day was more my family’s celebration than mine.
Once in my marital home my husband approached me.
Ever since then I recoil from his touch.
I am repulsed by his smell, even if he has just had a bath,
Yet, O Allah, I obey his command
Sanctioned by your words.
I let him take me.
Each time I push him away he quotes you:
“They ask thee
concerning women’s courses
Say: they are a hurt and a pollution
So keep away from women
In their courses, and do not
Approach them until
They are clean.
But when they have
Purified themselves,
Ye may approach them in any manner, time, or place
Ordained for you by God.
For