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serenity
Joined: Nov 26, 2003
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Female TV Host Slain in Afghan Capital
May 21, 2005 - 11:40 AM
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I read this article somewhere....seriously don't know what to say, thought I'd share this with you. This is offensive not only to media, but human rights.
IS THE BURKHA MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE LIFE OF A PERSON?
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May 20th, 2005 8:31 pm
Female TV Host Slain in Afghan Capital
Associated Press
KABUL, Afghanistan — A ground-breaking Afghan television host whose Western style drew praise from youthful fans and condemnation from Muslim clerics may have been slain with involvement from her own brothers, police said Friday.
Shaima Rezayee, 24, who tossed aside her burqa for Western dress and became a host on an MTV-style music show, knew her life was in danger, according to a radio interview she gave not long before she was shot in the head at her Kabul home Wednesday.
Her slaying highlights the struggle between urban young people and their conservative elders for the future of Afghanistan and its Islamic values. Television and radio stations like the one that featured Rezayee — often importing music and styles from other countries — have been leaders in probing the boundaries of acceptability.
Rezayee, like other young Afghan women, was denied schooling and forced to wear the burqa in public until the Taliban regime was ousted by the U.S. invasion in late 2001. The Taliban also banned music — even humming on the street.
In the years since, several private television and radio stations have started broadcasting. Many operate under tight security, well aware of criticism from religious leaders who oppose women in Western dress, women working, or women singing publicly.
The station that featured Rezayee, Tolo TV, has in particular drawn fire. In March, the country's council of Islamic scholars criticized Tolo and other stations for transmitting "programs opposed to Islam and national values."
Tolo TV executives dismissed Rezayee that same month under pressure from conservative clerics.
Her hour-long show, "Hop," showed videos of Western singers such as Madonna, as well as Turkish and Iranian pop stars. The casual chat between male and female announcers on Rezayee's show also drew reproach. Marriages are still mostly arranged in Afghanistan and some regard as suspect even conversation between men and women who are not related.
Soon after she was dismissed, Rezayee said in a radio interview that she had heard rumors someone wanted to kill her, possibly because of the show.
Tolo TV was the brainchild of an Afghan who returned to his homeland from Australia after the fall of the Taliban and first opened Radio Arman, an extremely popular station.
Rezayee was the first journalist to be killed in Afghanistan since the end of the U.S.-led invasion in 2001 which ousted the Taliban regime, according to Reporters Without Borders.
"This horrible murder proves that press freedom still cannot be taken for granted in Afghanistan," the Paris-based group said, calling for a thorough investigation and concrete measures by President Hamid Karzai to support free expression.
Jamil Khan, head of the criminal investigation department for Kabul police, declined to comment on a possible motive for the killing, but said police would question Rezayee's two brothers after mourning ceremonies conclude early next week.
"We suspect family members may be involved in the murder," he said. He didn't elaborate and relatives could not be immediately reached for comment.
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sudha
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Re: Female TV Host Slain in Afghan Capital
May 21, 2005 - 03:24 AM
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gosh that is so ironic..good and rave hings always come to an end in a vry tragic fashion..yet again its a reminder of how nothing changes in the islamic world......
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Luke Lieberman
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Re: Female TV Host Slain in Afghan Capital
May 29, 2005 - 01:50 AM
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I think all Haseeb is saying Scoper is that by doing such a controversial thing in such a conservative and violent country she was putting herself at risk.
But that is what it takes - brave people.
The real test is if someone steps up to take her place - "the show must go on!" - a great American football coach once said "it's not if you get knocked down, but if you get back up that counts." - this will be true for the Afghani reformers.
And I think the station needs to higher its own security - although if it was her brothers who killed her - it is dificult to protect you from people that close.
I think Karzi's government has the real responsibility at this point, especially because she was a public figure, the government needs to make a point - that violent extremists will not control the fate of the country - they need to investigate, find the killers - and give them a very public, very stiff penalty.
guys need to know that if they kill their sisters for excersizing personal freedoms - then they themselves will be swinging from a tree - that might give some guys a second thought.
Haseeb - you are right that the girl was taking a risk - but also you must recognise that this is EXACTLY when the government needs to step in excersize authority - if there is alot of public interest in the case then the government can make a STATEMENT that such actions are not tolerated.
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African
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Religio-human coexistence:-)
May 29, 2005 - 06:36 AM
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I respect all religions. I think there be a greater diagnosis of the religio-human coexistence for fundamentalism to be controlled. However, the Love God has for human beings is not disputable. Therefore, was religion created for man or man was created for religion?
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dj
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Re: Female TV Host Slain in Afghan Capital
May 29, 2005 - 09:22 AM
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well in my burkha may or may not be important...but the mind set of people is important. people who tell that after invasion situation have been better where are they now? why such incidents are happening? can't u protect a person who is controversial figure? i am really surprised why people talk so much about wearing burkha?
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Haseeb
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Re: Female TV Host Slain in Afghan Capital
June 2, 2005 - 01:43 AM
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Originally posted by DHAMS007
well. burkha is the reason why she was slain. it is a part of the culture and its removal was considered a violation of the customs followed throughout the ages.
Look Scoper- I again urge you not simplify the issue to this extent. I would go as far as to claim that "Burkha" had nothing to do with this case.
I also think your image of Afghanistan is stereotypical - a place where ALL the women are covered with the big bag which you call "burkha" and that they all want to through it away but they can not do so. I have to say here that BURKHA is not a major part of our culture , it has NEVER BEEN. The media has made it as a sign of our women- and this is not the ONLY stereotype the media has created in the world. Back in Afghanistan , many believe the dominant American culture is that of BAY WATCH.
There are 10s of thousunds of women working for the government , the private sector and NGOs -they DO NOT WEAR "BURKHA"- and they are not getting targetted. They should not - just as this ex-tv anchor should have not got killed.
In this particular case - she was , just as the TV station TOLU is , part of a revolution. A revolution that will spark a change in people's mindsets , characters, and behaviors. Her death shall be seen as an act of those of who are against a change in the society - or I would againsta return to our past.
Other than the above - I agree with you that the intellectuals in Afghanistan have been under attack for a while now. We have had cases of threats, and attacks against journalists , writters and etc. It is all unfortunate , untoleratable.It has to stop . It has faded , but not enough or even close to enough. It takes time untill we no longer see our intellectuals be subject to threats and attacks- untill then isolated incidents will occure- But , they are part of the transition. Luke would say "the flies that come with the (promised) honey".
Luke: I agree with you that the government has to take a tough stance on incidents of this kind. Doing so , they will make a point and deny the bad guys any fruit they might take away from their ill acts. The religious athorities have issued FATWAS denoucing the violence against women- Karzai personaly is leading the move to use the influence of religious figures in curbing the violence against women (forced marriages , honor killings , denial of the right to education etc).
But , we ought to undrestand that the government has its own limitations- in terms of its practicle power and the fear of uncontrolable consequences some of its measures may cause. Thus , I think for the government it is essesntial to move slowly - and avoid using or showing too much of a heavy hand. Transitions are always better poltical and diplomatic - rather than forceful and authoritative.
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serenity
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Re: Female TV Host Slain in Afghan Capital
June 2, 2005 - 02:16 AM
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i hope i'm wrong and all this is fake....
http://www.rawa.org/recent2.htm
http://www.rawa.org/ai-wom05.htm
http://www.rawa.org/3women.htm
http://www.rawa.org/stonning.htm
http://www.rawa.org/na-kunduz.htm
http://www.rawa.org/gallery.html
http://www.rawa.org/beating.htm
i do hope and pray that things improve for women out there.
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Haseeb
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Re: Female TV Host Slain in Afghan Capital
June 2, 2005 - 07:21 AM
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Scoper:
I appreciate your care and concern for the women in Afghanistan and elsewhere on earth. I share those feelings with you - and I think I have been outspoken about the violence and discreminations against women in our society. Starting in my own family to the larger picture in the whole country --- there is violence against women. It has been so for a while , for as long as I can remember.
But - what matters is what you do about it. You complain and simplify it , blame a religion or culture for it OR you find the reason behind it and address it . And try to help the victims.
Thanks for sharing the RAWA stories. I also hope they were fake and wrong - but sadly , they are true. These incidents have occurd and keep occuring.
My disagreements with you on this discussion were mainly because you , as many outside those societies would, simplified what is a complicated issue to only "throwing the BURKHA away".
Cheers,
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