And the verdict is...

Please note that during the reading of today’s blog, you will see the date April 15^th, 2008, and that everything after that date will be happening in the present, so there will not be any times where Nujood is explaining events from her past.  From that point on, it will be a lot easier to understand this biography.

Retell:

“Mabrouk! Congratulations!” That was the first word Nujood heard once woken up after that horrible nightmare of a night.  There she laid naked, her fragile little body exposed, next to her monster of a husband.  Her sister-in-law and mother-in-law kept on yelling out congratulations, but what was there to be happy about, she had just been raped.  After noticing the blood stain on the mat, Nujood’s mother-in-law brought her to the bathroom and started splashing her with water.  On the outside of her body, she was cold from the freezing water, but on the inside of her body she felt as if the inside of her was burning.  She felt disgusted with herself, she felt dirty. 

Nujood had to adjust quickly to her new life.  As a wife, she no longer had the right to leave the house and go play outside with the other kids, instead she had to stay inside her new house and follow orders.  During the day, she obeyed to her mother-in-law’s orders.  She had to do anything she said.  At night, well she had to go through hell night after night.  The terrifying nights had become a routine.  The door would slam shut, the oil lamp would roll across the floor after being knocked over and the sheets would get all twisted up.  It was on the third day where he would start to beat Nujood.  He started with his hands and then it progressed to a beating stick.  His mother would even start to encourage him to beat her.  She would tell him “Hit her even harder, she must listen to you, she is your wife!”  Occasionally he would even start to use his fists.  Every day, there were fresh bruises on her back, new wounds on her arms and the burning on the inside never went away. 

One day, tired of Nujood’s constant crying and complaining, the “Monster” agreed to bring Nujood back to her parents house for a visit.  Nujood thought the drive back to Sana’a felt a lot shorter compared to the time when she drove from Sana’a to Khardji.  Once at her home, Nujood explained everything that happened to her parents.  Her father simply said “Nujood, it is out of the question for you to leave your husband.”  Nujood didn’t understand how her own father wanted her to live with that Monster.  After glancing at Haïfa, Nujood worried that what happened to her would also happen to her baby sister.  Mona, her older sister, kept trying to defend Nujood, but her father wouldn’t budge.  Once her father wasn’t around, Nujood’s mother comforted her and apologized for was happening to her.

After a whole lot of begging, Nujood convinced the Monster to stay in Sana’a for another week or two.  After five days of hearing her father refuse the idea of Nujood leaving the Monster, Nujood went to go talk to Dowla, her father’s second wife.  After explaining her story, Dowla told Nujood that the only way to get your voice hears is to go to a courthouse.  Nujood thanked Dowla and quickly started planning her escape. 

The next morning, Nujood woke up full of energy.  After her morning routine, she waited for her mother to wake up.  Once Nujood’s mother was up, Nujood received one hundred and fifty rials, roughly a dollar, to go and get some bread for breakfast, but Nujood had another plan.  While walking outside, Nujood could smell the freshly baked bread out on the oven of the bakery, but she knew that if she wanted her freedom back she had to follow through with her plan.  After a long walk, a bus ride and a taxi ride, she was finally there.  Nujood made it! She was at the courthouse.  Finally, her life was going to change for the better. 

April 15^th, 2008, the day of the divorce.

The courtroom was completely full of people.  Nujood thought it was amazing, everyone was there for her.  It has only been a week since Nujood met Shada but she made a miracle happen.  There were plenty of journalists in the courtroom.  Nujood told Shada that she felt like George Bush, the important American on TV all the time.  All the flashed from the cameras made Nujood very nervous.  She realized that she didn’t quite really know what she was up against.  She didn’t even know how a divorce happened.  Outside in the hallway, Nujood realized something very important... What if the monster doesn’t agree to the divorce?  What will happen?  Reassuringly, Shada put her hand on Nujood’s shoulder and told her to not worry, everything will go well.  Nujood considered Shada a second mother. 

During a quick bite before the trial, Nujood spoke to a reporter of the Yemen Times, Mr. Hamed Thabet.  She explained everything to him from the wedding to the horrid nights.  Nujood could see in eyes how angry he was that someone did that to her.  As it was time to say goodbye, Nujood was nervous for what was next.

At the entrance of the courtroom, Nujood recognized her father and the monster in olive-green prison uniforms and black kepis.  They looked furious.  While the monster walked by Nujood he said “Proud of yourself, hey?  I didn’t have a real celebration for my marriage, but you’re certainly throwing a party for us here.”  Nujood was furious after he said that, but Shada told her to never listen to a word that he says.  Then her father walked by and all he said was “honour” and shook his head.  Nujood then understood what that meant.  Judge Mohammad al-Ghazi struck the big desk with his mallet, which meant court was now in session. 

During the trial, the Monster of a husband denied all the accusations of what he did to Nujood.  At one point Nujood even stood up and called him liar in front of the whole courtroom.  She was furious that he wouldn’t take responsibility for what he put her through.  When it was her father’s turn in the hot seat, he explained that the reason why he married off his daughter was because he wanted her to be safe.  He didn’t want a man to kidnap Nujood, like what had happened to his two other daughters.  Nujood has no clue what he was talking about.  The trial was very intense. 

In the end, Nujood was saved.  The divorce was granted.  She did it!  Nujood was jumping of joy on the inside.  She wanted to go outside and just run around.  She had her freedom back. Nujood was so happy, that she didn’t even pay attention to the judge saying that both men were going to be free.  Once out of the courtroom, everyone was congratulating Nujood.  Everyone was amazed.  She even received lots of present from spectators of the trial; she even received one hundred and fifty thousand rials, roughly seven hundred dollars, from a represent of a Saudi benefactor.  Nujood could not believe it, she was free at last! 

Ps. the reason why I use the term “Monster” instead of Faez or Nujood’s husband for his name is because in her biography she only calls him the Monster, nothing else.  Honestly, I don’t blame her. 

Relate:

How can I relate to Nujood...? I still have no clue.  It is honestly very hard.  I think the main reason why I can’t relate to her is because she is in an extremely rare situation compared to a young girl in Canada.  Canada’s is a very developed country, unlike Yemen our any other country in the Middle East where women are considered second class citizens.  So while I’m reading this autobiography, I’m asking myself how I can relate to her. 

I think the only way I can relate to Nujood is threw our personalities.  Nujood is a hardworking, strong, intelligent and very determined young girl.  I would like to think that I am the same way.  I think I am a very hardworking, strong, intelligent and determined young girl.  Yet I think when I describe Nujood with those qualities, I mean it on a whole other level.  Compared to myself, she is so much stronger, intelligent, hardworking and determined.  I honestly somewhat think I don’t deserve to say that I have those qualities. 

Reflect:

After reading these few chapters, I am extremely happy for Nujood.  She finally got what she deserved, in a good way.  Even though, I am so for her, I am also upset in what happened.  Nujood is free and she deserves to be, but so is Faez, the man who raped and beat her.  I don’t get how someone so cruel could be set free.  Okay so maybe Nujood is free, but what if Faez goes and finds another child bride.  What if that new child bride is not as strong as Nujood.  What if she is not able to escape?  What will happen to her?  She’ll have to go through all the pain and suffering Nujood went through.  Maybe Faez changed after being thrown in jail for what he did, but that doesn’t stop any other monster from doing that to a young girl.  I believe Faez should have been charged guilty and locked up.  If that happened, maybe the other child molesters and child beaters would realize that if they get caught they’ll go to prison.  After learning the consequences, maybe they will stop torturing the young children. 

During my reflect I kept on saying the word maybe, but I honestly do not know that even if those men knew the consequences if they would change.  Everyone knows that if they do a crime and get caught there will be consequences, but that doesn’t stop them from doing it.  I can only hope that one day, our world will change.  For now anyways, I am sad to say that I am still losing hope in humanity.  

Too much for someone too little

While reading my book, at some points in the biography, it was very confusing.  At one point, she was describing what she was doing and then all of a sudden she would be describing something in her past.  I apologize if while you are reading my blog, you get a little confused.  The best tip I can give you is whenever there is a date, it is more in the present and when there is no date available, it is when Nujood is describing something further in her past.  For example, in my previous blog I wrote about the town of Khardji, well that was a part where Nujood was just talking and explaining stuff from her past, but when I wrote about her court appearance on April 2^nd, 2008 well that was something that was happening more in the present. 

Retell:

February 2008.

Mona and Nujood would always stroll along Hayle Avenue, looking through the windows of the beautiful shops admiring the expensive dresses.  Spending a day along Hayle Avenue was one of Nujood’s favourite things to do.  While looking through the window displays, Nujood always admired a beautiful white wedding gown.  It was a dress fit for a lady.  Nujood knew that on her wedding day, she wanted a dress exactly like that one.  Nujood didn’t know much about weddings, she just liked that there was chocolate, jewellery and lots of presents.  She knew that they received a new house, a new life, but she didn’t know what went on after the ceremony. 

Once back home, the news came out of nowhere.  Nujood found out she was getting married off to someone she didn’t even know.  At first she thought it was an escape from her family life which had become impossible, but boy was she wrong.  After her father lost his sweeper job, Nujood’s family didn’t have a lot of money anymore.  Most of the meals they ate now had become a vegetarian version of what they ate before, because they couldn’t afford meat.  The last time Nujood had a good meal, was when her cousin invited the family to a restaurant.  She was able to eat hardy meal and drink some “Bebsi”, a black soda from America, a drink she liked very much.  Since money had gotten so bad, Nujood and her siblings would have to go into the streets and tap on car windows to beg for some spare change. 

Earlier that day, while her dad was sitting outside chewing some khat, green leaves that are chewed into a ball, a man came to him and proposed his idea of uniting their families.  His name was Faez Ali Thamer; he worked as a deliveryman, carrying packages on his motorcycle.  He was also originally from Khardji, Nujood’s family’s village, and he was looking for a new wife.  Since Jamila and Mona were already married off, Nujood was the next in line.  That evening, Mona argued with her father telling him Nujood was way too young, but his mind was already made up.  Nujood’s father thought he was protecting her.  He told Mona that Faez was a known man in the neighbourhood, he comes from Khardji and he promised not to touch Nujood until she was older.  Mona still didn’t sit straight with the idea of her ten year old little sister getting married off to some man three times her age. 

The preparations for the wedding were happening very fast.  On top of knowing that she would have to leave her family, Nujood was told by her new in-laws that she would have to leave her school a month before the wedding day.  She was devastated.  She told Malak, her best friend, goodbye and that was the last time she saw her.  Nujood realized that she was leaving everything behind to marry some man, named Faez Ali Thamer, which she didn’t even know. 

It was Nujood’s wedding day.  The wedding was celebrated by the women at Nujood’s parent’s house and the men at one of her uncle’s house.  During the celebration, Nujood sat in the corner, face swollen from crying so much, she didn’t know why anyone would be celebrating such a horrid tragedy.  Two days earlier, the marriage contract was signed and once again, there were only men present.  None of the women knew what was going on, not even Nujood, the one being married off in the first place.  Later that night, Nujood heard her father telling her mother not to worry, since they made Faez, Nujood’s new husband, promise not to touch her before the year after she has her first period.  Even after hearing that, Nujood was still not reassured.  That night was Nujood’s last night in her parent’s house; she laid on her bed hoping that the next day wouldn’t be the beginning of a nightmare. 

The next morning, when she heard the car horn, she knew it was time to go.  Nujood walked outside and saw a man in white with a moustache, short wavy hair, brown eyes, a poorly shaved face and hands covered in grease.  It was her new husband; she thought he was absolutely atrocious.  As she got into the car, she wondered who was her husband, why did he want her, what was he expecting from her and what exactly was marriage?  As the car started to drive away, Nujood watched her mother growing smaller and smaller as she got further and further away.  Hours later, the car stopped.  They had arrived.  Once out of the car, Nujood realized that they were in Khardji, her old village.  All her old memories from living there came rushing back.  While looking around, there it stood.  It was Nujood’s new house, I wouldn’t call it home.  It had four bedrooms, a living room, a tiny kitchen and a toilet outside behind some bushes.  She thought it was awkward how no one thought it was weird that she was there, at her age.  Turns out there is an old tribal proverb saying “To guarantee a happy marriage, marry a nine year-old girl”, so everyone thought it was fairly normal for her to be there. 

Once the sun had set, Nujood was shown to her new room.  There was a long woven mat lying in the middle of the room, it was her new bed.  Nujood quickly fell asleep.  (The ending of this paragraph will talk about when Nujood was raped.  It you are very sensitive towards this subject, I suggest you skip towards the next paragraph: April 9, 2008) Suddenly the door to her room crashed open; she had barely opened her eyes when she felt a damp, hairy body pressing against her.  It was her husband; she recognized the awful smell of cigarettes and khat on him.  He began to rub himself against her body.  She begged for him to stop, but he replied “You are now my wife; you will do as I say!”  She managed to get to her feet and she started running away.  Then suddenly he grabbed her and brought her back to the room.  He pushed Nujood down to the floor.  She felt paralyzed, as if she was tied down.  She started screaming, hoping someone would come and save her, but she was on her own.  When he took off his white tunic, Nujood rolled into a ball to protect herself, but he began pulling at her clothing starting to undress her.  He started running his hands all over her body.  Nujood felt something burning, a burning she had never felt before, invading the deepest part of her.  She was in excruciating pain and suddenly she lost consciousness.

April 9, 2008

 Shada, that was her name.  She was the woman who was ready and determined to defend Nujood.  She was her lawyer and she specialized in women’s rights cases.  Nujood thought she was beautiful, her skin glowed, her lipstick made her look chic and when she wore glasses, she looked like a movie star.  She also didn’t wear a veil; she wasn’t the typical Yemen woman.  Once Nujood, Shada, Judge Abdo, Judge Mohammad and Judge Abdel were in Judge Abdel’s office, they started talking.  Judge Mohammad was worried.  He stated to explain how it would be very hard for Nujood to win her case.  He explained how they are many obstacles that will need to be overcome.  For example, Nujood didn’t even have a birth certificate, she technically didn’t exist. 

The next three days were somewhat the same.  Nujood would go to the courthouse and hope for a miracle.  She was worried that it was taking so long, but she was warned that her case was difficult and unusual.  She tried to be as patient as she could.  Shada once told her “Nujood, you are like a daughter to me.  I will not abandon you.”  It was the first time she felt the maternal tenderness her mother never gave or didn’t have time to give her.  It was the first time she had hope. 

Relate:

As this point in the biography, I find it very hard to relate to Nujood.  The only thing I realized that we have in common is that we are both very determined girls.  I know that when I want something, I will try my absolute hardest to get it.  Nujood is also the same way, she might be even more determined in her situation than I’ll ever be.  She was able to risk everything and escape from her abusive husband, which makes me wonder if I would ever be able to be as determined and courageous as she is.  I am pretty sure that when I was at her age, I was not as determined as she is.  She knows exactly what she wants and she’ll make sure she gets it.  Even though she might be a ten year old girl, she’ll do what it takes to get that divorce from her horrible monster of a husband.  Other than that one quality, I don’t really think Nujood and I can relate.  She’s been through to many bad situations to count and the worst thing that has ever happened to me was probably me breaking a bone.  I am truly grateful for that.  Knowing how good my life is in Canada, it is very hard at times reading her story.  At around the end of chapter 4: The wedding, Nujood started to talk about how she was raped and at times I didn’t know if I could continue on reading.  How could I relate to something so horrible?  No offense, but I am actually glad to say I cannot relate, but I also feel so bad because the little girl is all on her own.  I couldn’t wish the pain she has been through on anyone. 

Reflect:

I have learned a lot while reading Nujood’s biography.  I’ve learned that people in this world can be so cruel.  Reading this biography and just listening to the news, I kind of given up on humanity.  How could someone possibly think raping a ten year old girl is alright?  How can the human race fail like that?  It is absolutely horrible.  What is going on in people’s heads these days?  While losing hope in humanity, I have also gained a little hope.  During her hardest times, a child has risen to the top.  She gives me hope.  She might be younger than me, but she definitely is one of my role models.  How many people do you know that would have just given up if they were in Nujood’s shoes?  Would you have given up?  I probably would have.  When times are at the worse they could possibly seem to be, the ones who rise and decide to make a difference are the ones who should be commemorated.  Mr. Mahatma Ghandi, Mr. Nelson Mandela, Mr. Martin Luther King Jr., Ms. Helen Keller, Ms. Rosa Parks, those are all people who fought for something they strongly believed in.  It might not be the same circumstances, but I believe Nujood could, no should be on that list.  You might think why, she only fought for a divorce.  I’ll give it to you straight, you’re wrong.  She fought for not just herself, but for women’s rights.  She might not have made a huge difference in the way people do things in Yemen, but she sure as hell gave a voice to all the young girls who had no say into marrying a man they didn’t even know.  Because of her, many other girls have found their voices and decided to put themselves first.  Nujood is the first child bride in Yemen to win a divorce and because of her; many more were able to gain their lives back.  I am honoured to be reading her biography.