Morocco’s Rape Law is Anti-Islamic

Article 475 of Morocco’s state law suggests rapists can escape prosecution if they marry their victim. Since 2006 the Moroccan government has initiated to overturn this law.

After 16-year-old, Amina Al Filali, commit suicide because she was abused by her rapist post marriage, fury sparked across Morocco. Its citizens took to the streets demanding the government to hold such criminals under account.

Amina was forced by courts to marry the man who raped her, so he escaped prosecution. He and his family continued to abuse her after marriage, which led to her death by consuming rat poison.

The purpose of this law is to preserve the honour of the families as; girls who lose their virginity before marriage are demonised in these so called “Islamic” countries.

For the West, this law is bizarre and immediately fingers are pointed at the country’s predominantly practised religion, Islam. Since this story hit the headlines of Al Jazeera and other online news sources, comments claiming that Islam is the culprit have led the debate. 

The counter argument, which I am for, is that this alleged “Islamic” law is actually anti-Islamic in itself. In the holy Muslim book, Quran, there is no mention that rapists must marry their victims to preserve the family honour. However, what isn’t highlighted in reports or perhaps what the Moroccan government doesn’t consider is the true Islamic ruling of how to deal with rapists.

In chapter 24, section two of the Quran, If a man/woman commits the act of rape then they must be whipped: “flog each male/female guilty of rape one hundred lashes.”

This is how the Saudi Arabians deal with rapists and it is controversial, as some argue it is too harsh. In my opinion this punishment means fewer rapists, he/she will think twice before committing the act of rape and it shows that rape will not be tolerated, so I agree with this sort of punishment.

Countries like Morocco, which are considered “Islamic” in many cases, are not. It seems these countries abuse their women when the men are to blame. I ask the government, how is the torture and death of a minor female preserving the families’ honour? Why should the culprit be rewarded instead of being punished and why should the innocent pay the price?

Share your thoughts in the comment box!

Al Jazeera’s covearge

Manchester’s Biggest Summer Fest

This summer, Manchester will host its second Children’s Book Festival. What makes this a pretty huge deal is that the UK’s current and first female poet laureate, Carol Ann Duffy, will be directing the eleven days of exciting events.

The 2012 festival, in association with Manchester Metropolitan University, from June 28 to July 8, is going to be “bigger and better – truly a festival for the city”, as described by Duffy herself. I am delighted that such a prestigious festival will be taking place in Manchester, because it shifts the focus from the capital, showing that other parts of the UK also have something to offer.

Now this isn’t your typical one location festival. There will be over 60 events taking place across the region, not only for children but adults too.  Events such as, Roald Dahl workshops, meeting authors like Jacqueline Wilson, a Gala Dinner with Coronation Street’s creator, Tony Warren, will be held at places like The Midland Hotel, Hilton’s Cloud 23, Imperial War Museum, Manchester Metropolitan University and many more.

For me, the book  festival is what we need right now, in an era where perhaps reading has lost its significance in the midst of technological advancements such as social networking sites, Nintendo Wiis, and smartphones. This festival will bring different kinds of people together for the love of reading, like those who don’t speak English as their first language; there is an event where stories will be read in languages such as, Arabic, Italian, Urdu, Japanese etc. For children and even adults who want a career in writing, the festival will bring many opportunities. 

I spoke to Carol Ann Duffy about the festival at the official launch. (See Video)

For more information/book tickets call 0843 208 500 or visit http://www.mcbf.org.uk/  

Programme of Events

Festival Launch February 2012

One World Media: Youth Jury 2012

The One World Media Awards are like the Oscars for journalists and film makers, except One World specifically addresses media coverage in the developing world including, parts of the Middle East and Africa.

One World rewards journalists/film makers who make a positive difference to those suffering in third world countries. The Oscars however, award wealthy, famous, glamorous actors/directors/producers for something that will only give them more fame, money and glamour yet, gets more recognition than the charities and projects that are saving lives across the world. I mean have you ever heard of the One World Media Awards before, I am sure you have heard of the Oscars?

Amongst the categories is the Children’s Rights Award. This Category rewards the best media production in the developing world which advocates children’s rights and is judged by a youth jury panel.

Youth Jury 2012

Discussion Panel

This year the youth jury are four university students in the UK who best answered this question in 300, “How can media contribute to children’s rights?” I am so honoured to be one of these lucky four. I must mention that the entries we judged are not amateur productions by students. They’re professional pieces of media that have been broadcast and some still available to access like Channel Four’s Unreported World and BBC World Service.    

The youth jury must select a winner and two runners up from eleven shortlist entries of, print, online, radio and documentaries including Channel Four, BBC and Al Jazeera productions. The entries are judged according to criteria such as, cultural understanding, appealing to a UK audience and portrayal of voices from developing countries.

This short experience of judging some shocking and powerful documentaries, radio programmes, news articles and websites, is life changing and I encourage you to watch/listen/read/view at least one of the entries (links provided at the end).

I interviewed One World Media’s educational department programme manager, Derek Thorne, about the Children’s Rights category and the youth jury. 

We have now selected the winner and you can find out the nominees on the website, but who do you think will take the trophy, who impressed us the most? My lips are sealed, but find out on May 8 where we will be presenting the award at King’s Place in London with Jon Snow.

Watch full interview

Nominees

Youth Jury 2012

Child Marriage

The Boy Mir

Tanzania: Spell of the Albino