This is dedicated to Abeer Hamza Al-Janabi and to the sisters of Lal Masjid
And to all of my sisters who are resisting the oppressor.
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You are more than the garments they rip from you,
more than the bodies they violate;
You are the bent rib,
the strongest bridge to transcendence.
You are the coolness of the eye to your parents,
the first and closest adviser to your brothers,
and the path to Jannah for your sons.
By the mercy Allah has put into your heart
the Ummah has been built
word by word,
brick by brick,
person by person.
And how have we repaid you?
With cowardice and treason.
We stand idle when
animals that walk like men
come for you,
shedding crocodile tears
when the cameras are rolling
but refusing to touch you
if you return.
And how often is your trust in us betrayed?
Betrayed by fists and feet,
by wandering eyes,
by a poisonous tongue…
Instead of your protectors
we’ve become your jailors,
covering up the light
that Allah gave you,
transforming a healing grace
into a private entertainment.
So I tell you revolt!
Revolt against domesticity!
Revolt against atrophy
of your mind, body, and soul!
Take up un-lady like habits,
speak up and speak out,
and learn to defend yourselves.
Be like Ayesha (RA) and lead and army!
Be like Zaynab (RA) and speak truth to a tyrant!
Be scholars, artists, martyrs!
And when you are these things,
forgive us and let us stand beside you.
2 comments August 21st, 2007