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I am sending a petition to the Saudi King and the Interior Minister, asking for justice for the 19 year old rape victim.
So far, 15 people have signed on. If you would like to join us send me an email with your name and city at: bhumika_g@yahoo.com. We are posting it on November 30th Friday.
Your Majesty,
We, the under signed, are here to plead for justice for the 19-year old rape victim who has now been sentenced to 200 lashes and six months in prison.
She was previously sentenced to 90 lashes for being alone with an unrelated male. The Supreme Judicial Council increased the sentence after her lawyer talked to the media and publicized the punishment.
At just 19 years she has suffered an enormous tragedy and to punish her would add on to the tragedy and will be a gross injustice. She deserves compassion, understanding and support, not 200 lashes and six months in prison.
Saudi women, for years have honorably served their country. Although they are denied basic rights their counterparts enjoy here in the western world, they have continued to honor their national and religious system. So, Your Majesty, it is sad to see that the Saudi judicial system would treat a woman victim of rape this way.
We have learned that the punishment that the victim received is based on the Sharia law. As our understanding of Islam says, it is a faith that preaches forgiveness and understanding, justice and compassion. A famous saying of The Prophet is "Paradise is at the feet of mothers." (In Al'Nisa'I, Ibn Majah, Ahmad). “It is the generous (in character) who is good to women, and it is the wicked who insults them.”
Your Majesty, we have full faith in your understanding and knowledge of Islam and hope that justice will be served.
Yours Sincerely,
