An Irani Girl: Victim Of Injustice

Reyhaneh Jabbari, a Muslim Irani girl, was arrested in 2007 for the murder of Morteza Aabdolali Sarbandi, a former employee of Iran’s ministry of intelligence. While the whole world talks about empowering women, the world is ignorant of the fact of another young Muslim woman fighting for her life in Iran. 
Her crime was stabbing a man to death, a man who tried to rape her.
In 2008, Reyhaneh an interior decorator went to a coffee shop, sat and started talking on phone in connection to her job. After finishing the conversation on the phone, two men approached her. One of them introduced himself as a former employee of Iran’s Ministry of defence, namely Morteza Abdolali Sarbandi and asked her to decorate their office. As an interior designer and need for the job, Reyhaneh agreed to their proposal for the decoration and exchanged number.
Few days passed Sarbandi’s friend believed to be the second man who had approached her at the coffee shop, called her on the phone, with regard to the decoration. On getting to the building, they went up to the fourth floor, they opened the door. She was welcomed by Sarbandi in a dusty and empty apartment. Reyhaneh left the door unclosed, but Sarbandi ordered to close the door and she should take off her scarf. She refused and Sarbandi approached her romantically. Reyhaneh tried departing, but was stopped by Sarbandi. Sarbandi got angry and came menacingly towards her. Reyhaneh resisted his advances as much as she could, but Sarbandi got hostile. Sensing immediately danger Reyhaneh managed to lay hands on knife which she used to defend herself. But as Sarbandi’s attack got much stronger, so did Reyhaneh’s, which is when she stabbed him.
The second man rushed into the apartment and suddenly engaged in fight with Sarbandi. The fight between the two men was to pave the way for Reyhaneh’s escape. She managed to escape and reached home. However, her ordeal was not over yet. The police was able to trace her and arrested her at about 2:00 clock and charged with murder.
For six long years, the Iranian court has failed to notice the fact that she faced the imminent threat of rape. In their evidence, it was shown a plastic bag which was found in Sarbandi’s possession containing condoms and a drinking laced with sedatives for his victim. Yet the court overlooked the fact and Reyhaneh was charged with murder and was sentenced to death in 2009. She had no witness and she must be executed for murder. Reyhaneh may be forcibly put to a wrongful death anytime for a fault that was far from her. Her execution verdict was upheld by Iran’s Supreme Court.
Her case drew international cry and sparked a petition urging her release, which has granted over 190,000 signatures.
I am surprised, despite the evidences prove Reyhaneh innocent, then for what she will be executed.
Reyhaneh’s story slaps international community who praises women empowerment around the globe. Reyhaneh’s story is the story of those brave Muslim girls who have been labelled as murderers or who face charges of adultery for defending themselves.
Iran is an Islamic country, how they could reject the plea of Reyhaneh and order for her execution. Not only in Iran, but also in our Pakistan and Kashmir these cases are common. My question to whole Muslim community , when they will wake up from their deep sleep and save innocent women’s like Reyhaneh and Dr. Aafia.
If today, we will not raise our voice for Reyhaneh and Aafia then the day is not far, when Allah s.w.t will shower stones on us.
A small note by Reyhaneh to her mother:-
“Goodbye, dear Mum. All of my pains will finish early tomorrow morning. I’m sorry I cannot lessen your pain. Be patient. We believe in life after death. I’ll see you in the next world and I will never leave you again because being separated from you is the most difficult thing to do in the world.”