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I Am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced
“I’m a simple village girl who has always obeyed the orders of my father and brothers. Since forever, I have learned to say yes to everything. Today I have decided to say no.”
Nujood Ali's childhood came to an abrupt end in 2008 when her father arranged for her to be married to a man three times her age. With harrowing directness, Nujood tells of abuse at her husband's hands and of her daring escape. With the help of local advocates and the press, Nujood obtained her freedom—an extraordinary achievement in Yemen, where almost half of all girls are married under the legal age. Nujood's courageous defiance of both Yemeni customs and her own family has inspired other young girls in the Middle East to challenge their marriages.
Hers is an unforgettable story of tragedy, triumph, and courage.
Nujood Ali's childhood came to an abrupt end in 2008 when her father arranged for her to be married to a man three times her age. With harrowing directness, Nujood tells of abuse at her husband's hands and of her daring escape. With the help of local advocates and the press, Nujood obtained her freedom—an extraordinary achievement in Yemen, where almost half of all girls are married under the legal age. Nujood's courageous defiance of both Yemeni customs and her own family has inspired other young girls in the Middle East to challenge their marriages.
Hers is an unforgettable story of tragedy, triumph, and courage.
188 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2009
About the author
Nujood Ali
2 books115 followersNujood Ali, born in 1998, is a figure of Yemen's fight against forced marriage. At the age of ten, she obtained a divorce, breaking with the tribal tradition. In November 2008, U.S. women's magazine Glamour designated Nujood Ali and her lawyer Shada Nasser as Women of the Year. Nasser, born in 1964, is herself a feminist and specialist in human rights, whose involvement in Nujood's case received much acclaim.
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March 1, 2020
Feb 2020 update In 2013 Ali reported to the media that her father had forced her out of their home, and has withheld most of the money ($1,000 per month) paid by the publishers. Her father has also sold her younger sister, Haifa into marriage to a much older man. He used the money earmarked for Ali's education to buy two new wives for himself. As Nujood's father said in court, "Women are just a curse" so why not use them for what value you can get?
Nujoom is now about 22 and was married at 15 and has two little girls. I hope they are all happy. I hope her little girls are safe from child marriage.
_________
Nujood's new name is Nujoom. She changed it from Nujood which means hidden to Nujoom, "stars in the sky" because she loved to look up into the vastness and count the twinkling stars.
__________
8 Sept 2013 update: Yemini child bride aged 8 dies of internal injuries on her wedding night to a man of 40 Nujood got the law changed to make 17 the minimum age for marriage. The Muslim religious authorities got the law repealed as they say that it is up to the parents to decide when tosell marry off their daughters.
Pictures of child brides These child brides are Christian, Hindu etc. as well as Muslim and from different countries, albeit not Europe. I hate child abuse and the exploitation of girls and women, but not any religion or nation and I do wish trolls would stop projecting their general hatred on to me.
***
Edit 22 July 2013 Nujood got the minimum age for marriage changed to 17 but this was repealed as it was considered unIslamic to have any minimum age as Mohammed had married a 9 year old girl. The age for marriage and the choice of husband was considered a matter for the parents alone and not the law.
This little 11 year old girl, Nada, was prepared to kill herself if she was married off, and recorded a Youtube video. Her sister who had been married off at 14 committed suicide by burning herself to death. The mother was apparently operating some sort of scam to get money out of suitors.
***
This book was the story of Nujood, aged 10 and living in the Yemen, a Muslim country, who was brave enough to go to the courts in the capital and ask the judges to grant her a divorce. That is such an amazing feat, I am sure I can barely imagine the courage this girl had.
Nujood, who had just one year of schooling, lived in a very poor family that sometimes had to beg for food, and was sold for $750 to a man in his thirties who promised, so the father said, that he wouldn't touch her until she reached puberty. But he did, he raped and beat her repeatedly, and his own mother egged him on. In Islam, because Mohammed, aged 52, married a child of 9, this early marriage and sex is considered perfectly ok.
She found sympathetic judges and a wonderful, feminist lawyer and eventually, her father and husband in prison more so she could be safe than anything else, she got her divorce and world-wide attention. Since women are essentially possessions, a contract signed between the father and the husband transferring the 'property' wasn't so easy to break, but Nujood remained strong through the long legal arguments.
Along with Hillary Clinton, who called her 'the bravest woman I've ever met' and Nicole Kidman she was Glamor's 2008 Woman of the Year. She's 13 now, and going to school. She wears jeans and t-shirts and barettes in her hair, the black robes and niqab (veil) she found so stifling cast off.
Inspired by her, several little girls, forcibly married at 9, have come forward to get divorces themselves. Its a beginning. And she has made a real difference: the age for marriage is now 17 in Yemen, one hopes it is enforced, but I don't have major faith in that. As long as women are possessions, the contract - the bill of sale - between father and husband will remain more important that the actual marriage where there is no real contract as the girl is neither old enough in law to give her consent, nor is even required to do so.
The book is a fast read, a story very simply told, its filled-in reportage, rather than an in-depth story, but that doesn't lessen the message or appeal of the book at all. It doesn't matter if you know the story, its still an unputdownable book - I read it without stopping until I finished it.
Recommended for the whole wide world to rejoice in her courage and to tell ourselves that we will probably never face anything so daunting in our lives, if she could face her fears and do it, so could we.
Reviewed 18 August 2010
Nujoom is now about 22 and was married at 15 and has two little girls. I hope they are all happy. I hope her little girls are safe from child marriage.
_________
Nujood's new name is Nujoom. She changed it from Nujood which means hidden to Nujoom, "stars in the sky" because she loved to look up into the vastness and count the twinkling stars.
__________
8 Sept 2013 update: Yemini child bride aged 8 dies of internal injuries on her wedding night to a man of 40 Nujood got the law changed to make 17 the minimum age for marriage. The Muslim religious authorities got the law repealed as they say that it is up to the parents to decide when to
Pictures of child brides These child brides are Christian, Hindu etc. as well as Muslim and from different countries, albeit not Europe. I hate child abuse and the exploitation of girls and women, but not any religion or nation and I do wish trolls would stop projecting their general hatred on to me.
***
Edit 22 July 2013 Nujood got the minimum age for marriage changed to 17 but this was repealed as it was considered unIslamic to have any minimum age as Mohammed had married a 9 year old girl. The age for marriage and the choice of husband was considered a matter for the parents alone and not the law.
This little 11 year old girl, Nada, was prepared to kill herself if she was married off, and recorded a Youtube video. Her sister who had been married off at 14 committed suicide by burning herself to death. The mother was apparently operating some sort of scam to get money out of suitors.
***
This book was the story of Nujood, aged 10 and living in the Yemen, a Muslim country, who was brave enough to go to the courts in the capital and ask the judges to grant her a divorce. That is such an amazing feat, I am sure I can barely imagine the courage this girl had.
Nujood, who had just one year of schooling, lived in a very poor family that sometimes had to beg for food, and was sold for $750 to a man in his thirties who promised, so the father said, that he wouldn't touch her until she reached puberty. But he did, he raped and beat her repeatedly, and his own mother egged him on. In Islam, because Mohammed, aged 52, married a child of 9, this early marriage and sex is considered perfectly ok.
She found sympathetic judges and a wonderful, feminist lawyer and eventually, her father and husband in prison more so she could be safe than anything else, she got her divorce and world-wide attention. Since women are essentially possessions, a contract signed between the father and the husband transferring the 'property' wasn't so easy to break, but Nujood remained strong through the long legal arguments.
Along with Hillary Clinton, who called her 'the bravest woman I've ever met' and Nicole Kidman she was Glamor's 2008 Woman of the Year. She's 13 now, and going to school. She wears jeans and t-shirts and barettes in her hair, the black robes and niqab (veil) she found so stifling cast off.
Inspired by her, several little girls, forcibly married at 9, have come forward to get divorces themselves. Its a beginning. And she has made a real difference: the age for marriage is now 17 in Yemen, one hopes it is enforced, but I don't have major faith in that. As long as women are possessions, the contract - the bill of sale - between father and husband will remain more important that the actual marriage where there is no real contract as the girl is neither old enough in law to give her consent, nor is even required to do so.
The book is a fast read, a story very simply told, its filled-in reportage, rather than an in-depth story, but that doesn't lessen the message or appeal of the book at all. It doesn't matter if you know the story, its still an unputdownable book - I read it without stopping until I finished it.
Recommended for the whole wide world to rejoice in her courage and to tell ourselves that we will probably never face anything so daunting in our lives, if she could face her fears and do it, so could we.
Reviewed 18 August 2010
April 14, 2017
As you can tell from the title, this book focuses on a very disturbing topic - child abuse. Unfortunately, the forced marriage of young girls to older men is an all too common occurrence in many areas of the world. Nujood is only one such victim. This book tells her story.
Essentially sold by her deadbeat father to a man more than three times her age, Nujood's childhood comes to an abrupt end. At ten years old, she is repeatedly beaten and raped by her new husband. She is also moved to a remote village where she further isolated from anyone that might be able to help her.
Eventually, she is able to go to visit family in the city. After her own parents fail to help her, she is able to get some guidance from one of her father's other wives. Then, this incredibly brave little girl sets out for the courthouse to ask for a divorce.
I could not get over how courageous this ten year-old little girl had to be. What she did would be intimidating in any country, much less in a country where women are extremely oppressed and viewed as property. Yet, this little girl was brave enough to walk into a courthouse and demand to see a judge and ask for a divorce. I was in awe of this young girl.
Thankfully, the judges decide to take up Nujood's cause. She is given a "safe haven" of sorts while the case is brought before the court. Since Nujood was younger than the legal age for marriage in Yemen, her father and husband were brought up on charges.
From there on out, the court proceedings turned into a bit of a circus. Nujood's case made international news and she became a sort of poster-child for women's rights and child abuse organizations. Meanwhile, her father and husband alternated between placing blame on the other and trying to plead ignorance and innocence on their own part. It was pathetic.
Eventually, the men responsible paid a small fine and Nujood was granted her divorce. While the divorce was unheard of and paved the way for other young girls in the Middle East to speak out, the forced marriage of young girls is still a huge problem. Of course, that is only one manifestation of a much larger problem. Nonetheless, in a place where women and children have virtually no rights, this was a remarkable case.
From start to finish, I was taken in by Nujood's story. My heart broke for this young girl, who was the same age as my oldest daughter. I can't even begin to imagine maltreatment that girls like Nujood are forced to endure. Once again, I am reminded of how lucky I am to have been born in a region of the world where women have rights. As the mother of two young girls, this is something that is never far from my mind.
Although this didn't prove to be the in-depth expose that I had hoped for, it was definitely a worthwhile read. At less than 200 pages, or around 2 hours of listening time, Nujood's story serves to raise awareness of a very important topic. While this isn't the type of story that you read for enjoyment, it is the type that you read for enlightenment. It is painful, but necessary to read stories like Nujood's.
I won't pretend that everything worked out like I would've liked. The granting of her divorce was only one triumph, in a world of defeats for women. Nujood was ultimately returned to the very person that sold her in the first place. Where is the logic in that? I can't help but wonder where Nujood is now, nine years later. I can't help but wonder if her notoriety has turned her into a cash cow for the very father that shared responsibility for her abuse in the first place.
Check out more of my reviews at www.bookaddicthaven.com
Essentially sold by her deadbeat father to a man more than three times her age, Nujood's childhood comes to an abrupt end. At ten years old, she is repeatedly beaten and raped by her new husband. She is also moved to a remote village where she further isolated from anyone that might be able to help her.
Eventually, she is able to go to visit family in the city. After her own parents fail to help her, she is able to get some guidance from one of her father's other wives. Then, this incredibly brave little girl sets out for the courthouse to ask for a divorce.
I could not get over how courageous this ten year-old little girl had to be. What she did would be intimidating in any country, much less in a country where women are extremely oppressed and viewed as property. Yet, this little girl was brave enough to walk into a courthouse and demand to see a judge and ask for a divorce. I was in awe of this young girl.
Thankfully, the judges decide to take up Nujood's cause. She is given a "safe haven" of sorts while the case is brought before the court. Since Nujood was younger than the legal age for marriage in Yemen, her father and husband were brought up on charges.
From there on out, the court proceedings turned into a bit of a circus. Nujood's case made international news and she became a sort of poster-child for women's rights and child abuse organizations. Meanwhile, her father and husband alternated between placing blame on the other and trying to plead ignorance and innocence on their own part. It was pathetic.
Eventually, the men responsible paid a small fine and Nujood was granted her divorce. While the divorce was unheard of and paved the way for other young girls in the Middle East to speak out, the forced marriage of young girls is still a huge problem. Of course, that is only one manifestation of a much larger problem. Nonetheless, in a place where women and children have virtually no rights, this was a remarkable case.
From start to finish, I was taken in by Nujood's story. My heart broke for this young girl, who was the same age as my oldest daughter. I can't even begin to imagine maltreatment that girls like Nujood are forced to endure. Once again, I am reminded of how lucky I am to have been born in a region of the world where women have rights. As the mother of two young girls, this is something that is never far from my mind.
Although this didn't prove to be the in-depth expose that I had hoped for, it was definitely a worthwhile read. At less than 200 pages, or around 2 hours of listening time, Nujood's story serves to raise awareness of a very important topic. While this isn't the type of story that you read for enjoyment, it is the type that you read for enlightenment. It is painful, but necessary to read stories like Nujood's.
I won't pretend that everything worked out like I would've liked. The granting of her divorce was only one triumph, in a world of defeats for women. Nujood was ultimately returned to the very person that sold her in the first place. Where is the logic in that? I can't help but wonder where Nujood is now, nine years later. I can't help but wonder if her notoriety has turned her into a cash cow for the very father that shared responsibility for her abuse in the first place.
Check out more of my reviews at www.bookaddicthaven.com
April 17, 2011
I purchased this book on a whim at the book store today. The title was compelling and I have a penchant for survival stories. With that, the content of Nujood's story is unquestionably salient. Her experience is one of courage and extraordinary spirit. For me, this is the strength of the book. It pains me to say that despite all that, I cannot in good conscience give the book a strong rating.
Nujood's voice was drowned out by "co-author's" Delphine Minoui. To the point where I did not see a shift in authorial voice from the forward and epilogue written solely by Minoui, to the authorial voice of the actual story "told" by Nujood.
As I read her story, I couldn't help but think that it was being taken from her and shaped into something that would attract the attention of a western reader. Minoui does not trust the gravity of the story to let it tell itself. The colorful language, clearly imported by Minoui, ended up stealing from the authenticity of real events. It read more like a Good Housekeeping story, overwritten with an emphasis on word selection to inflate the dramatic.
The mere idea that girls (let alone women) suffer under this type of oppression is sufficient. This injustice does not need pulping to make it a better "story". I felt like the author did not trust me as a reader to make sense of Nujood's original words. I am dubious that Nujood, a 10 year old, pre-literate, highly impoverished girl told Minoui her story using language like, "notary, tribal protocol, and stifling astonishment."
A more journalistic approach would have served Minou's need to bring in her voice, her sensitivities to the events and her storytelling style. In her attempt to make the narrative more readable, the author inconsistently infuses her adult voice into the child's narrative. This only served to dilute the story and in turn take a little piece of reality from the reader. I don't think that this is the type of story that one should attempt to "make more readable". In the end, it is not the type of tale that should be picked up for entertainment on a cloudy Sunday afternoon.
Despite the need to bring attention to stories like Nujood's, I feel like we lose something as an audience when the story is taken from a victim/survivor and manipulated for public consumption. At the end of the hour, it almost feels like another level of exploitation.
I am left wondering why this young girl should have to pander her story of rape, violence and abuse to get money to attend school? It shames me to think this is the only way wealthy countries will step in and try to bring greater equity to the poor. Is our insatiable need to "get something for the dollar we hand over" pushing us to this extreme? SIGH. I can't help but think that by purchasing this girl's story I have added a whole new level of "commodification" to her life.
It's a complex world for women. I leave this book wondering about ways to use my own education and place of privilege to bring greater equity to all of us, world-wide. Until that happens, my heart goes out to my sister soldiers who are bearing the brunt of the suffering.
Nujood's voice was drowned out by "co-author's" Delphine Minoui. To the point where I did not see a shift in authorial voice from the forward and epilogue written solely by Minoui, to the authorial voice of the actual story "told" by Nujood.
As I read her story, I couldn't help but think that it was being taken from her and shaped into something that would attract the attention of a western reader. Minoui does not trust the gravity of the story to let it tell itself. The colorful language, clearly imported by Minoui, ended up stealing from the authenticity of real events. It read more like a Good Housekeeping story, overwritten with an emphasis on word selection to inflate the dramatic.
The mere idea that girls (let alone women) suffer under this type of oppression is sufficient. This injustice does not need pulping to make it a better "story". I felt like the author did not trust me as a reader to make sense of Nujood's original words. I am dubious that Nujood, a 10 year old, pre-literate, highly impoverished girl told Minoui her story using language like, "notary, tribal protocol, and stifling astonishment."
A more journalistic approach would have served Minou's need to bring in her voice, her sensitivities to the events and her storytelling style. In her attempt to make the narrative more readable, the author inconsistently infuses her adult voice into the child's narrative. This only served to dilute the story and in turn take a little piece of reality from the reader. I don't think that this is the type of story that one should attempt to "make more readable". In the end, it is not the type of tale that should be picked up for entertainment on a cloudy Sunday afternoon.
Despite the need to bring attention to stories like Nujood's, I feel like we lose something as an audience when the story is taken from a victim/survivor and manipulated for public consumption. At the end of the hour, it almost feels like another level of exploitation.
I am left wondering why this young girl should have to pander her story of rape, violence and abuse to get money to attend school? It shames me to think this is the only way wealthy countries will step in and try to bring greater equity to the poor. Is our insatiable need to "get something for the dollar we hand over" pushing us to this extreme? SIGH. I can't help but think that by purchasing this girl's story I have added a whole new level of "commodification" to her life.
It's a complex world for women. I leave this book wondering about ways to use my own education and place of privilege to bring greater equity to all of us, world-wide. Until that happens, my heart goes out to my sister soldiers who are bearing the brunt of the suffering.
March 1, 2023
كان يا مكان بس مش في قديم الزمن و لا المكان كان في بنوتة يمنية إسمها نجود..
بنوتة عادية ..مش ملكة ولا أميرة ..لايزيد عمرها عن عشرة اعوام مثلها مثل كل الأطفال.. تعشق لعب الغميضة ،مولعة بالشوكولا و تحب الرسم...
وفي يوم من الأيام في فبراير ٢٠٠٧ و هي لسة في السنة الثانية من المدرسة أعلن والدها أنه سيزوجها إلي رجل يكبرها ب٣ مرات بعد ما تعهد بإنه لن يلمسها مادامت لم تبلغ بعد و لكنه للأسف لم يحترم كلمته و أعتدي عليها بمنتهي القسوة من أول يوم...
نجود التي كان تنصاع دائماً لأوامر رجال العائلة و تعلمت دائماً أن تقول نعم لكل شئ قررت أن تقول لا وتذهب للمحكمة بمفردها لتقابل القاضي وتطلب الطلاق..
دافعت عنها شدا ناصر التي تكافح من أجل حقوق النساء وتعتبر واحدة من أكبر محامي اليمن...
طُلقت نجود التي أشتهرت بلقب أصغر مطلقة في العالم وحصلت في نوفمبر ٢٠٠٨ علي جائزة امرأة العام التي قدمتها مجلة نسائية في نيويورك و تقاسمتها مع النجمة نيكول كيدمان و وزيرة الخارجية الأمريكية كوندليزا رايس وهيلاري كلينتون..
رجعت نجود مرة تانية لمدرستها وتحلم أن تكون محامية لتدافع عن الفتيات الصغيرات..نفسها ترفع سن الزواج إلي ١٨ أو حتي ٢٠ سنة..نفسها تكون قوية و مثابرة....نفسها تتطلع في عيون الرجال من غير ما تخاف و تعرف تطالب بحقوقها...
قصة نجود هزت العالم كله ..قصة كانت صعبة جداً في قراءتها و لكن في النهاية هي قصة تحمل رسالة أمل وحتفتح باب كان مقفول قدام الكثير من الفتيات في اليمن لإنهم ممكن يعملوا زي نجود و يقولوا هم كمان بصوت عالي كلمة 'لأ' و نتمني إنهم يلاقوا حد يسمعهم ..:(
بنوتة عادية ..مش ملكة ولا أميرة ..لايزيد عمرها عن عشرة اعوام مثلها مثل كل الأطفال.. تعشق لعب الغميضة ،مولعة بالشوكولا و تحب الرسم...
وفي يوم من الأيام في فبراير ٢٠٠٧ و هي لسة في السنة الثانية من المدرسة أعلن والدها أنه سيزوجها إلي رجل يكبرها ب٣ مرات بعد ما تعهد بإنه لن يلمسها مادامت لم تبلغ بعد و لكنه للأسف لم يحترم كلمته و أعتدي عليها بمنتهي القسوة من أول يوم...
نجود التي كان تنصاع دائماً لأوامر رجال العائلة و تعلمت دائماً أن تقول نعم لكل شئ قررت أن تقول لا وتذهب للمحكمة بمفردها لتقابل القاضي وتطلب الطلاق..
دافعت عنها شدا ناصر التي تكافح من أجل حقوق النساء وتعتبر واحدة من أكبر محامي اليمن...
طُلقت نجود التي أشتهرت بلقب أصغر مطلقة في العالم وحصلت في نوفمبر ٢٠٠٨ علي جائزة امرأة العام التي قدمتها مجلة نسائية في نيويورك و تقاسمتها مع النجمة نيكول كيدمان و وزيرة الخارجية الأمريكية كوندليزا رايس وهيلاري كلينتون..
رجعت نجود مرة تانية لمدرستها وتحلم أن تكون محامية لتدافع عن الفتيات الصغيرات..نفسها ترفع سن الزواج إلي ١٨ أو حتي ٢٠ سنة..نفسها تكون قوية و مثابرة....نفسها تتطلع في عيون الرجال من غير ما تخاف و تعرف تطالب بحقوقها...
قصة نجود هزت العالم كله ..قصة كانت صعبة جداً في قراءتها و لكن في النهاية هي قصة تحمل رسالة أمل وحتفتح باب كان مقفول قدام الكثير من الفتيات في اليمن لإنهم ممكن يعملوا زي نجود و يقولوا هم كمان بصوت عالي كلمة 'لأ' و نتمني إنهم يلاقوا حد يسمعهم ..:(
August 26, 2012
The story should be compelling, but I found this memoir to be remarkably shallow. Nujood is barely literate and the memoir was actually written by the journalist Delphine Minoui. I'm not sure how much of the book is Minoui's and how much is Nujood's dictation, or if ANY of it was her dictation for that matter. Certainly the author is consciously trying to sound like a ten-year-old girl, which is a main part of the problem.
The details that could really enrich this story are lacking. Nujood goes to ask for a divorce and is told this is unprecedented and it will be a difficult case. Then she has a hearing and -- presto! -- gets a divorce. What happened in between times? What efforts did her protectors make to get that divorce for her? It can't have been as easy as she makes it sound. Also, more details about Nujood's relationship with her family after the divorce would have been nice. She had, after all, had her father temporarily put into prison, and I would have liked some information on how the family dynamics changed or didn't change. None of the characters are very well-developed.
I can't escape the feeling that this girl is being used, and I wonder if she regrets this book's publication or will regret it in the future. Certainly it brought unwelcome notoriety to her family in a culture that prizes honor above everything.
This book would, I think, have been better off as a third-person biography of Nujood, perhaps set in the broader context of a study of child marriages in the Middle East. At least, a foreword or afterword describing the divorce case in detail would have helped a lot. As it was the book just left me feeling rather uneasy.
The details that could really enrich this story are lacking. Nujood goes to ask for a divorce and is told this is unprecedented and it will be a difficult case. Then she has a hearing and -- presto! -- gets a divorce. What happened in between times? What efforts did her protectors make to get that divorce for her? It can't have been as easy as she makes it sound. Also, more details about Nujood's relationship with her family after the divorce would have been nice. She had, after all, had her father temporarily put into prison, and I would have liked some information on how the family dynamics changed or didn't change. None of the characters are very well-developed.
I can't escape the feeling that this girl is being used, and I wonder if she regrets this book's publication or will regret it in the future. Certainly it brought unwelcome notoriety to her family in a culture that prizes honor above everything.
This book would, I think, have been better off as a third-person biography of Nujood, perhaps set in the broader context of a study of child marriages in the Middle East. At least, a foreword or afterword describing the divorce case in detail would have helped a lot. As it was the book just left me feeling rather uneasy.
April 29, 2019
An extremely sad story. How can people not understand that women are half of population and everyone, male or female or whatever, gets born from women... So it's in everyone's best interest to have women literate and strong and happy and, most of all, free... Is this such a difficult concept to understand?
This is child abuse at its rawest. I do kind of hope that Nujood and her sisters and other women in trouble due to some societies' extreme prejudice get forward in their lives, get well, get educated, become free and stay true and strong.
This is child abuse at its rawest. I do kind of hope that Nujood and her sisters and other women in trouble due to some societies' extreme prejudice get forward in their lives, get well, get educated, become free and stay true and strong.
February 16, 2023
- القصة حقيقية، حصلت على ارض اليمن "السعيد"، في ظل الفقر والجهل مكملان ب "القات" ومغلفان بوشاح ديني لا يمت لا للدين ولا للواقع بأي صلة...
- قصة نجود فتحت كوّة في الجدار، لكن هذه الكوة لا يمكن ان تتسع الا بالوعي والعلم والثقافة..
- سأقتبس جملة واحدة فقط من نهاية القصة(ص174):"لقد اصبح الكثيرون من زملائنا عرضة لفتاوى اعلنها الشيوخ المحليون الذين يتهمونهم بعدم احترام الإسلام وبالتسويق للإنحطاط الغربي"، قبل اخراس تلك الأفواه لا ولن يتغير شيئ في هذا العالم العربي بل سنبقى من سوء الى اسوأ...
قال فكتور هيجو يوماً" في كل قرية شعلة، ينيرها معلم ويطفئها رجل دبن"...
- قصة نجود فتحت كوّة في الجدار، لكن هذه الكوة لا يمكن ان تتسع الا بالوعي والعلم والثقافة..
- سأقتبس جملة واحدة فقط من نهاية القصة(ص174):"لقد اصبح الكثيرون من زملائنا عرضة لفتاوى اعلنها الشيوخ المحليون الذين يتهمونهم بعدم احترام الإسلام وبالتسويق للإنحطاط الغربي"، قبل اخراس تلك الأفواه لا ولن يتغير شيئ في هذا العالم العربي بل سنبقى من سوء الى اسوأ...
قال فكتور هيجو يوماً" في كل قرية شعلة، ينيرها معلم ويطفئها رجل دبن"...
December 7, 2021
برای نوشتن از این کتاب، سعی میکنم عقایدم رو کنار بزارم و به هیچ مذهب و طرز فکری توهین نکنم و فقط از دیدگاه خنثی نظرم رو در مورد کتاب بنویسم.
اعتراف میکنم که مطالعات کمی در زمینهی کشورهای عربی و مسلمان داشتهام و میتونم بگم بهجز یک سری مباحث کلیشهای، هیچ اطلاعاتی از این کشورها ندارم! از رسم و رسومات زندگی روزمره گرفته تا سنتهای ازدواج و مسایل دیگه...
کتاب نجود، یک پله از انتظارات من فراتر رفته بود و نه تنها داستان در یمن، یک کشور عربی و مسلمان اتفاق میافتاد بلکه این اتفاقات در یکی از دورافتادهترین روستاهای یمن رخ میداد!
اسم کتاب، یک جورایی داستان کتاب رو لو میده و بعید میدونم در کتابهایی که از روی وقایع واقعی نوشته شدن، اسپویل و لو دادن معنیای داشته باشه! پس با دست آزاد مینویسم.
نجود، دختری هشت-نه سالهاس، که به دلیل فقر مالی و جلوگیری از آبروریزی (اگر در مورد آبروریزیِ مذکور سوالی براتون پیش اومد، کتاب رو بخونید تا خودتون پی ببرید، من توضیحی نمیدم!)، در سنین کودکی، توسط پدرش و طبق یک قرارداد، به همسریِ یک مرد سیوخردهای ساله در میاد!
که خب اتفاقات کتاب هم، پیرامون همین ماجرا و البته فرار نجود هست.
با یک جستجوی ساده در گوگل و یوتیوب میتونید مصاحبههایی رو با نجود ببینید که فکر میکنم به درک بهتر شرایط دختران یمن، بویژه در سنین پایین بهتون کمک بزرگی میکنه!
در کل، زنان در جوامع مسلمان زندگیهای سختی دارن، فرقی هم نداره که اون کشور تا چه حد سختگیرانه به این قوانین و اوامر مذهبی عمل کنه.
از کشور خودمون و بحث حجاب و محدودیتهای زنان در جامعه بگیریم تا جوامعی مثل یمن که در اون، زنان رسما وسیلهای برای رفع شهوت و بچهزایی هستن و مردها عملا هیچ ارزشی برای زنان و حرفهاشون قائل نمیشن!
قول دادم که به مسایل سیاسی و مذهبی نپردازم و از اونجایی که به شدت از این بحثها متنفرم، پس نقد رو همینجا تموم میکنم.
نجود، کتاب غمگین ولی خوبیه، توصیه میکنم بخونیدش...
اعتراف میکنم که مطالعات کمی در زمینهی کشورهای عربی و مسلمان داشتهام و میتونم بگم بهجز یک سری مباحث کلیشهای، هیچ اطلاعاتی از این کشورها ندارم! از رسم و رسومات زندگی روزمره گرفته تا سنتهای ازدواج و مسایل دیگه...
کتاب نجود، یک پله از انتظارات من فراتر رفته بود و نه تنها داستان در یمن، یک کشور عربی و مسلمان اتفاق میافتاد بلکه این اتفاقات در یکی از دورافتادهترین روستاهای یمن رخ میداد!
اسم کتاب، یک جورایی داستان کتاب رو لو میده و بعید میدونم در کتابهایی که از روی وقایع واقعی نوشته شدن، اسپویل و لو دادن معنیای داشته باشه! پس با دست آزاد مینویسم.
نجود، دختری هشت-نه سالهاس، که به دلیل فقر مالی و جلوگیری از آبروریزی (اگر در مورد آبروریزیِ مذکور سوالی براتون پیش اومد، کتاب رو بخونید تا خودتون پی ببرید، من توضیحی نمیدم!)، در سنین کودکی، توسط پدرش و طبق یک قرارداد، به همسریِ یک مرد سیوخردهای ساله در میاد!
که خب اتفاقات کتاب هم، پیرامون همین ماجرا و البته فرار نجود هست.
با یک جستجوی ساده در گوگل و یوتیوب میتونید مصاحبههایی رو با نجود ببینید که فکر میکنم به درک بهتر شرایط دختران یمن، بویژه در سنین پایین بهتون کمک بزرگی میکنه!
در کل، زنان در جوامع مسلمان زندگیهای سختی دارن، فرقی هم نداره که اون کشور تا چه حد سختگیرانه به این قوانین و اوامر مذهبی عمل کنه.
از کشور خودمون و بحث حجاب و محدودیتهای زنان در جامعه بگیریم تا جوامعی مثل یمن که در اون، زنان رسما وسیلهای برای رفع شهوت و بچهزایی هستن و مردها عملا هیچ ارزشی برای زنان و حرفهاشون قائل نمیشن!
قول دادم که به مسایل سیاسی و مذهبی نپردازم و از اونجایی که به شدت از این بحثها متنفرم، پس نقد رو همینجا تموم میکنم.
نجود، کتاب غمگین ولی خوبیه، توصیه میکنم بخونیدش...
May 6, 2011
If this book doesn't make you stfu about your first world problems like getting the wrong latte at Starbucks or not being able to find the right color of sweater for your chihuahua, nothing will.
Seriously, at the age of 10, when many (American) girls are wearing booty shorts and trying to emulate Miley Curys, Nujood is sold by her family to a 30-year-old man as his wife. She comes from a world where this isn't entirely unusual. It also isn't unusual for men to have multiple wives, and for girls to be forced to leave school to take care of families. Yes, the story is a downer, especially when you think that she's just one of thousands of girls who live through this kind of horrific experience.
Seriously, at the age of 10, when many (American) girls are wearing booty shorts and trying to emulate Miley Curys, Nujood is sold by her family to a 30-year-old man as his wife. She comes from a world where this isn't entirely unusual. It also isn't unusual for men to have multiple wives, and for girls to be forced to leave school to take care of families. Yes, the story is a downer, especially when you think that she's just one of thousands of girls who live through this kind of horrific experience.
June 28, 2018
This book has been on my To-Read forever, so I'm really glad I finally got to read it. I highly suggest this book to everyone! Childhood marriage and rape is something that needs to be addressed way more often. Also, the lack of laws that are created and enforced to prevent this from happening. This is a must read for everyone and it's super short, so I HIGHLY suggest it!
"Nujood Ali's childhood came to an abrupt end in 2008 when her father arranged for her to be married to a man three times her age. With harrowing directness, Nujood tells of abuse at her husband's hands and of her daring escape. With the help of local advocates and the press, Nujood obtained her freedom—an extraordinary achievement in Yemen, where almost half of all girls are married under the legal age. Nujood's courageous defiance of both Yemeni customs and her own family has inspired other young girls in the Middle East to challenge their marriages. Hers is an unforgettable story of tragedy, triumph, and courage. "
"Nujood Ali's childhood came to an abrupt end in 2008 when her father arranged for her to be married to a man three times her age. With harrowing directness, Nujood tells of abuse at her husband's hands and of her daring escape. With the help of local advocates and the press, Nujood obtained her freedom—an extraordinary achievement in Yemen, where almost half of all girls are married under the legal age. Nujood's courageous defiance of both Yemeni customs and her own family has inspired other young girls in the Middle East to challenge their marriages. Hers is an unforgettable story of tragedy, triumph, and courage. "
March 15, 2017
Despite the subject matter, I really liked this book. As the title suggests, Nujood is a 10 year old girl who was married off to a man three times her age. She experienced abuse that no one should, let alone such a young child. Unfortunately her case is not uncommon and reading about the treatment suffered by many Yemeni women just infuriated me! Finally Nujood mustered the courage to travel to court and demand a divorce, which was granted after much publicity. She is a very brave and resilient girl. Her story was eye-opening and I think Delphine Minoui did a decent job at writing from a 10 year old's perspective. Although dealing with serious themes, it was an easy read (although possibly a little too fast-paced for me). I definitely recommend reading this book!
April 8, 2016
Apa yang kamu inginkan?” Tanya seorang hakim
”Saya ingin bercerai” Jawan Nujood dengan tegas
Shafa Arawinda, seorang gadis berusia 10 tahun. Duduk di kelas V SD. Selain sekolah dan les, ia menghabiskan waktunya bermain dengan teman-teman. Ia juga menggemari coklat. Hari-hari dihabiskan dengan kecerian dan kegembiraan khas anak-anak.
Nujood Ali lahir di Yaman tahun 1998. Ia bukan siapa-siapa, hanya seorang anak perempuan yang memiliki orang tua dan banyak saudara. Ia juga sering bermain dan menggemari coklat. Ayah Nujood bernama Ali Mohammad al-Ahdel dan ibunya bernama Shoya, ia dilahirkan di Khardji, Yaman. Negeri Yaman pernah dipimpin oleh Ratu Sheba dengan kecantikan yang mampu meluluhlantahkan hati Raja Sulaiman.
Shafa dan Nujood memang sama-sama gadis kecil berusia 10 tahun. Perbedaannya hanyalah Nujood sudah menjadi janda pada usianya yang baru 10 tahun. Mungkin Nujood adalah janda termuda yang pernah ada.Semula kehidupan Nujood sama seperti anak-anak yang lain. Bersekolah, membantu ibunya dan tak ketinggalan bermain besama teman-temannya.
Namun dunia Nujood berubah saat orang tuanya menyatakan bahwa ia akan dinikahkan dengan seorang laki-laki yang berusia tiga kali lipat dari usianya. Malam yang dingin di Bulan Februari 2008 serasa kian menusuk di hati, jika diingat saat itu ia bahkan belum mendapat haid. Bagi ayahnya ia dinikahkan agar ”Satu mulut yang berkurang ” bukan untuk kebahagiaannya.
Ada pepatah di sana yang menyatakan, “ Untuk menjamin perkawinan yang bahagia, nikahilah gadis berusia sembilan tahun” Itu mengapa disana banyak anak perempuan yang dinikahkan pada usia dini.Ditambah lagi, cerita tentang Nabi menikahi Aisyah ketika Aisyah baru berusia sembilan tahun. Mengikuti ajaran nabi selalu dijadikan alasan pembenaran tindakan mereka. Tentunya selain alasan klise takut anak perempuannya celaka.
Saat mencari perlindungan dari suami yang menyakitinya, sang ibu hanya berucap, “Itulah kehidupan, Nujood; setiap perempuan harus mengalami ini; kita semua menjalani hal yang sama” Hanya Dowla, istri muda ayahnya yang mau mngulurkan tangan. Dowla pula yang menyarankan Nujood pergi ke pengadilan untuk mencari perlindungan. “ Kalau tak ada yang mau mendengarkanmu, kau harus langsung pergi ke pengadilan” Kata Dowla sambil memberikan uang sebesar 200 Real hasilnya mengemis sepagian.
Kisah perjuangan Nujood telah menginspirasi banyak anak perempuan lainnya yang bernasib sama. Praktek pernikahan dini sepertinya dianggap hal yang biasa di sana. Shada sang pengacara memperkenalkan Nujood dengan dua orang gadis yang baru saja mengajukan gugatan cerai mengikuti keberaniannya.. Mereka bernama Arwa dan Ryam. Arwa dipaksa menikah dengan orang yang berusia 25 tahun lebih tua. Ryam berusia 12 tahun saat ayahnya menikahkan secara paksa dengan sepupunya yang berusia 31 tahun
Ada cerita yang tak kalah mengenaskan. Seorang gadis berusia 9 tahun meninggal setelah tiga hari usia pernikahannya dengan seorang pria Arab. Bukannya menuntut sang menantu, keluarga pihak perempuan malah memohon maaf yang menawarkan ”Ganti rugi” adik perempuan sang pengantin yang baru berusia 7 tahun!
Penggambaran lingkungan dan kehidupan Nujood diuraikan dengan jelas seakan-akan kita berada disana. Melihat bagaimana makan malam disajikan di sekeliling sofrah (kain besar yang dibentangkan di lantai), bermain petak umpet di lembah hingga kegembiraan saat ia berhasil bercerai. ”Pesta perceraian-itu jauh lebih baik daripada pesta pernikahan” Kata Nujood sambil membuka aneka ragam hadiah yang diterima.
Kata-kata yang dirangkai dalam buku ini juga membuat kisah yang disajikan kian membekas ke dalam kaldu. Kata pertama yang digunakan , ” Dahulu kala” bukan kata yang umum dipergunakan dalam sebuah kisah nyata
Di bagian belakang buku, tersedia "Paduan untuk Kelompok Membaca" Mereka yang telah membaca buku ini diharapkan mendiskusikan banyak hal. Dalam buku ini memang ada 12 hal yang ditawarkan untuk menjadi bahan diskusi. Namun sepertinya persoalan Nujood lebih banyak dari hanya 12 pertanyaan saja! Ini yang membuat buku kian menarik!
Tahun 2008, majalah perempuan di Amerika Serikat, Glamour memilihnya sebagai Women of The Year atas keberaniannya berjuang melepaskan diri dari perkawinan paksa di bawah umur yang sempat dilakoninya. Tak heran jika Hilary Clinton menyebutnya sebagai "salah satu perempuan terhebat yang saya kenal"
Buku ini menurutku terlalu singkat untuk menceritakan bagaimana nasib Nujood. Membuka lembar pertama buku ini membuatku merinding! Menuntaskannya lebih membuatku kian terhanyut dalam perasaan sakit, marah dan lega! Sakit rasanya melihat seorang perempuan, tepatnya seorang anak perempuan diperlakukan seperti itu. Marah mengetahui agama dijadikan sebagai pembenaran untuk berbuat sesuatu. Menikah memang dianjurkan, namun memaksa seorang anak menikah di bawah umur hanya demi mengurangi jumlah mulut yang harus diberi makan sungguh keterlaluan! Marah pada sang ibu yang hanya bisa berdiam melihat anak gadisnya diperlakukan semena-mena. Marah pada sang mertua dan suami yang kejam. Namun aku merasa Lega, mengetahui masih ada Shada dan Dowla yang mau membantunya. Senang melihat foto Nujood yang sudah bisa menikmati hidupnya sebagai anak-anak kembali
Saat ditanya keinginannya, Shafa Arawinda 10 tahun akan menjawab, ” Aku ingin bisa jadi juara kelas, bisa ikut les menari dan bermain sepeda sepanjang hari” Sedangkan diujung belahan dunia yang lain, Noojod 10 tahun menjawab, ” Aku ingin bermain di luar, seperti anak-anak seusiaku, tetapi ia memukuliku dan terus-menerus memaksaku kembali ke kamar tidur bersamanya untuk melakukan hal-hal menjijikkan yang ingin dia inginkan. Dia selalu mengata-ngataiku......”
Sang pengarang, Delphine Minoui adalah jurnalis Prancis kelahiran 1974. Penerima penghargaan Albert Loudress ini meliput berita-berita mengenai Iran dan Timur Tengah sejak 1997. Selain buku yang dia tulis bersama Nujood ini, bukunya yang lain adalah Les Pintades á Téhéran, bercerita mengenai kehidupan para perempuan di Iran yang kebebasannya terkungkung. Setelah izin kerjanya di Iran dicabut pada 2007 oleh pemerintah Iran, ia kini tinggal di Beirut.
”Saya ingin bercerai” Jawan Nujood dengan tegas
Shafa Arawinda, seorang gadis berusia 10 tahun. Duduk di kelas V SD. Selain sekolah dan les, ia menghabiskan waktunya bermain dengan teman-teman. Ia juga menggemari coklat. Hari-hari dihabiskan dengan kecerian dan kegembiraan khas anak-anak.
Nujood Ali lahir di Yaman tahun 1998. Ia bukan siapa-siapa, hanya seorang anak perempuan yang memiliki orang tua dan banyak saudara. Ia juga sering bermain dan menggemari coklat. Ayah Nujood bernama Ali Mohammad al-Ahdel dan ibunya bernama Shoya, ia dilahirkan di Khardji, Yaman. Negeri Yaman pernah dipimpin oleh Ratu Sheba dengan kecantikan yang mampu meluluhlantahkan hati Raja Sulaiman.
Shafa dan Nujood memang sama-sama gadis kecil berusia 10 tahun. Perbedaannya hanyalah Nujood sudah menjadi janda pada usianya yang baru 10 tahun. Mungkin Nujood adalah janda termuda yang pernah ada.Semula kehidupan Nujood sama seperti anak-anak yang lain. Bersekolah, membantu ibunya dan tak ketinggalan bermain besama teman-temannya.
Namun dunia Nujood berubah saat orang tuanya menyatakan bahwa ia akan dinikahkan dengan seorang laki-laki yang berusia tiga kali lipat dari usianya. Malam yang dingin di Bulan Februari 2008 serasa kian menusuk di hati, jika diingat saat itu ia bahkan belum mendapat haid. Bagi ayahnya ia dinikahkan agar ”Satu mulut yang berkurang ” bukan untuk kebahagiaannya.
Ada pepatah di sana yang menyatakan, “ Untuk menjamin perkawinan yang bahagia, nikahilah gadis berusia sembilan tahun” Itu mengapa disana banyak anak perempuan yang dinikahkan pada usia dini.Ditambah lagi, cerita tentang Nabi menikahi Aisyah ketika Aisyah baru berusia sembilan tahun. Mengikuti ajaran nabi selalu dijadikan alasan pembenaran tindakan mereka. Tentunya selain alasan klise takut anak perempuannya celaka.
Saat mencari perlindungan dari suami yang menyakitinya, sang ibu hanya berucap, “Itulah kehidupan, Nujood; setiap perempuan harus mengalami ini; kita semua menjalani hal yang sama” Hanya Dowla, istri muda ayahnya yang mau mngulurkan tangan. Dowla pula yang menyarankan Nujood pergi ke pengadilan untuk mencari perlindungan. “ Kalau tak ada yang mau mendengarkanmu, kau harus langsung pergi ke pengadilan” Kata Dowla sambil memberikan uang sebesar 200 Real hasilnya mengemis sepagian.
Kisah perjuangan Nujood telah menginspirasi banyak anak perempuan lainnya yang bernasib sama. Praktek pernikahan dini sepertinya dianggap hal yang biasa di sana. Shada sang pengacara memperkenalkan Nujood dengan dua orang gadis yang baru saja mengajukan gugatan cerai mengikuti keberaniannya.. Mereka bernama Arwa dan Ryam. Arwa dipaksa menikah dengan orang yang berusia 25 tahun lebih tua. Ryam berusia 12 tahun saat ayahnya menikahkan secara paksa dengan sepupunya yang berusia 31 tahun
Ada cerita yang tak kalah mengenaskan. Seorang gadis berusia 9 tahun meninggal setelah tiga hari usia pernikahannya dengan seorang pria Arab. Bukannya menuntut sang menantu, keluarga pihak perempuan malah memohon maaf yang menawarkan ”Ganti rugi” adik perempuan sang pengantin yang baru berusia 7 tahun!
Penggambaran lingkungan dan kehidupan Nujood diuraikan dengan jelas seakan-akan kita berada disana. Melihat bagaimana makan malam disajikan di sekeliling sofrah (kain besar yang dibentangkan di lantai), bermain petak umpet di lembah hingga kegembiraan saat ia berhasil bercerai. ”Pesta perceraian-itu jauh lebih baik daripada pesta pernikahan” Kata Nujood sambil membuka aneka ragam hadiah yang diterima.
Kata-kata yang dirangkai dalam buku ini juga membuat kisah yang disajikan kian membekas ke dalam kaldu. Kata pertama yang digunakan , ” Dahulu kala” bukan kata yang umum dipergunakan dalam sebuah kisah nyata
Di bagian belakang buku, tersedia "Paduan untuk Kelompok Membaca" Mereka yang telah membaca buku ini diharapkan mendiskusikan banyak hal. Dalam buku ini memang ada 12 hal yang ditawarkan untuk menjadi bahan diskusi. Namun sepertinya persoalan Nujood lebih banyak dari hanya 12 pertanyaan saja! Ini yang membuat buku kian menarik!
Tahun 2008, majalah perempuan di Amerika Serikat, Glamour memilihnya sebagai Women of The Year atas keberaniannya berjuang melepaskan diri dari perkawinan paksa di bawah umur yang sempat dilakoninya. Tak heran jika Hilary Clinton menyebutnya sebagai "salah satu perempuan terhebat yang saya kenal"
Buku ini menurutku terlalu singkat untuk menceritakan bagaimana nasib Nujood. Membuka lembar pertama buku ini membuatku merinding! Menuntaskannya lebih membuatku kian terhanyut dalam perasaan sakit, marah dan lega! Sakit rasanya melihat seorang perempuan, tepatnya seorang anak perempuan diperlakukan seperti itu. Marah mengetahui agama dijadikan sebagai pembenaran untuk berbuat sesuatu. Menikah memang dianjurkan, namun memaksa seorang anak menikah di bawah umur hanya demi mengurangi jumlah mulut yang harus diberi makan sungguh keterlaluan! Marah pada sang ibu yang hanya bisa berdiam melihat anak gadisnya diperlakukan semena-mena. Marah pada sang mertua dan suami yang kejam. Namun aku merasa Lega, mengetahui masih ada Shada dan Dowla yang mau membantunya. Senang melihat foto Nujood yang sudah bisa menikmati hidupnya sebagai anak-anak kembali
Saat ditanya keinginannya, Shafa Arawinda 10 tahun akan menjawab, ” Aku ingin bisa jadi juara kelas, bisa ikut les menari dan bermain sepeda sepanjang hari” Sedangkan diujung belahan dunia yang lain, Noojod 10 tahun menjawab, ” Aku ingin bermain di luar, seperti anak-anak seusiaku, tetapi ia memukuliku dan terus-menerus memaksaku kembali ke kamar tidur bersamanya untuk melakukan hal-hal menjijikkan yang ingin dia inginkan. Dia selalu mengata-ngataiku......”
Sang pengarang, Delphine Minoui adalah jurnalis Prancis kelahiran 1974. Penerima penghargaan Albert Loudress ini meliput berita-berita mengenai Iran dan Timur Tengah sejak 1997. Selain buku yang dia tulis bersama Nujood ini, bukunya yang lain adalah Les Pintades á Téhéran, bercerita mengenai kehidupan para perempuan di Iran yang kebebasannya terkungkung. Setelah izin kerjanya di Iran dicabut pada 2007 oleh pemerintah Iran, ia kini tinggal di Beirut.
November 27, 2016
This story was seriously heart-breaking. It shows what can happen in a community or people group that doesn't have the light of God in any capacity. People behave like animals and treat each other as such. The only true hope for the girl in this story and others in this community is found in Jesus.
The author was born into a poor Muslim family in Yemen. They struggled for their daily food. One of her older siblings ran away to Saudi Arabia. Another married a man whilst still in her teens. This man then had an affair with the author's older sister resulting in the sister and the man being thrown into jail and potentially facing the death penalty for adultery.
The family then in crisis financially, the father decides to marry off the author who is aged just 10 years old to a man three times her age. She accompanies this man to his community which is cut off from any outside contact making it impossible for her to run away. He had promised her family not to engage in sexual relations prior to a certain age but immediately breaks his promise and forces himself on her. She finally convinces him to allow her to visit her family and whilst there runs away and does something that has never been done before--she goes directly to a Judge and requests a divorce!
Reading this tragic story made me so grateful that I wasn't born into that situation or that community. I was reminded that it is only by the grace of God that it was not me dealing with this. The desperation of the parents when they fell on hard times comes through and the children carried a lot of the burden. The cultural traditions and norms that we consider abhorrent were practiced widely. It was normal for a child of that age to be married although legally not permitted until the age of 15 (now 17 partly due to this case.) The girls had no choice and were made completely powerless and helpless because their families went along with it. In this case they had even arranged it for money. The people that as children we rely on to protect us were the ones placing this child into the path of danger. How terrible when there is no one to turn to and no one you can trust.
There is no bad language in this book. There is obviously sexual violence which wasn't as graphic as I had feared it might be. This is only suitable for adult readers. This is definitely eye opening.
The author was born into a poor Muslim family in Yemen. They struggled for their daily food. One of her older siblings ran away to Saudi Arabia. Another married a man whilst still in her teens. This man then had an affair with the author's older sister resulting in the sister and the man being thrown into jail and potentially facing the death penalty for adultery.
The family then in crisis financially, the father decides to marry off the author who is aged just 10 years old to a man three times her age. She accompanies this man to his community which is cut off from any outside contact making it impossible for her to run away. He had promised her family not to engage in sexual relations prior to a certain age but immediately breaks his promise and forces himself on her. She finally convinces him to allow her to visit her family and whilst there runs away and does something that has never been done before--she goes directly to a Judge and requests a divorce!
Reading this tragic story made me so grateful that I wasn't born into that situation or that community. I was reminded that it is only by the grace of God that it was not me dealing with this. The desperation of the parents when they fell on hard times comes through and the children carried a lot of the burden. The cultural traditions and norms that we consider abhorrent were practiced widely. It was normal for a child of that age to be married although legally not permitted until the age of 15 (now 17 partly due to this case.) The girls had no choice and were made completely powerless and helpless because their families went along with it. In this case they had even arranged it for money. The people that as children we rely on to protect us were the ones placing this child into the path of danger. How terrible when there is no one to turn to and no one you can trust.
There is no bad language in this book. There is obviously sexual violence which wasn't as graphic as I had feared it might be. This is only suitable for adult readers. This is definitely eye opening.
December 12, 2016
چه روایت جذابی... نتونستم کنار بذارمش تا تمام شد...
December 5, 2012
I am really sorry to have to give this only 2 stars. Nujood's story is heartbreaking, and her bravery is inspiring. I remember her case when it broke in the news. Married off by her father to a man 25 years older than she, this Yemeni child who is not even positive of her age was repeatedly abused, beated, and raped by this bastard (who had "promised" not to touch her until after puberty) and was brutally abused by his mother. She had the courage to find her way to a courthouse, find a judge that would listen to her, tell her story, and ask for a divorce. Fortunately, there were caring judges who wanted to help, there was a courageous and excellent woman lawyer, and Nujood made history getting the divorce in 2008. Why 2 stars? The book is presented with Nujood Ali as author with Delphine Minoui. The text makes abundantly clear that at the time of the divorce, Nujood (not surprisingly) had so little education that she was literate enough to write nothing more than her first name. It also makes clear that her lawyer's well-intentioned placement of her in school after her plight made international news did not yield immediate success; the child could not immediately cope with a life of regular school hours. Again, this is not surprising at all. Much of the schooling entailed coloring and memorization of Muslim tenets. I don't believe there was much time for her to have developed intellectually (not to mention recover appreciably from her ordeals) by the time composition of the book had to have commenced. And yet, the book is published in 2010 with her as author? Certainly, it is very simply written, very simple to read, but there was no need to try to present it as her work with a bit of assistance from a second author. Why not let Delphine Minoui, or someone else with professional qualifications, write in authorial voice and tell Nujood's story with abundant interviewing, quoting, etc.? Surely that could have been done well and respectfully for Nujood. There was plenty of news coverage, there were plenty of interviews after her divorce. An excellent journalist with sterling reportial credentials AND an ethical compass (I can think of a few who would fill the bill) could have written a superb book with Nujood as the primary source. Perhaps the goal here was to present her case in simple enough form that young people could be exposed to the plight of young women/children in parts of the Middle East? I don't know. But I found this to be the wrong way to impart this information. Nujood's experience and her courage deserve a better book than this. Again, my criticism is not aimed toward topic/content - there is so much to discuss (and to be sickened by) here, including the extent of the repression of women in Nujood's society, the extent of patriarchy that allows for a man's multiple wives, numerous numbers of children (the number of pregnancies of Nujood's mother is astounding), complete control over women and children, and societal permission to hang about all day chewing khat and getting high (and explain his patriarchal decisions as abiding by his religion), the dire poverty that families like Nujood's live in, the lack of education for women (and not much more for poor men)... the list goes on.
December 19, 2018
إذا رأي أي شخص تلك الصورة سيتخيل انها لطفلة متصورة مع والدتها فى مدرستها أو ان ضحكة تلك الطفلة البريئة لاستمتاعها بنزهة مع عائلتها ولو قلنا له لا هذه طفلة تمر بماسأة أقصي خيال سيقول انها من الممكن أن أحد اقربائها أو والدها توفي أو انها طفلة يتيمة أو تعاني الفقر
ولكن أن تكون هذه صورة لطفلة اسمها نجود فى العاشرة مع المحامية لطلب الطلاق من زوجها الذي تزوجها عذبها واغتصبها وهي فى العاشرة ، هذا لا نتخيله ولكنه واقعنا للأسف
على ما أصابتني بدايتها بحزن وحالة تريد أن تلعن في��ا كل من أذي تلك الطفلة ولكن نجاح نجود فى الحصول على حريتها ومساعدة أشخاص لها بدون أي سبب إلا لانقاذها يعطينا بعض الأمل البسيط فى الانسانية
تحية لتلك الطفلة الشجاعة وللمحامية شدي وللشعب اليمني الذي اعتبره من أكثر الشعوب معاناة وللأسف مازالت حتي الأن
ولكن أن تكون هذه صورة لطفلة اسمها نجود فى العاشرة مع المحامية لطلب الطلاق من زوجها الذي تزوجها عذبها واغتصبها وهي فى العاشرة ، هذا لا نتخيله ولكنه واقعنا للأسف
على ما أصابتني بدايتها بحزن وحالة تريد أن تلعن في��ا كل من أذي تلك الطفلة ولكن نجاح نجود فى الحصول على حريتها ومساعدة أشخاص لها بدون أي سبب إلا لانقاذها يعطينا بعض الأمل البسيط فى الانسانية
تحية لتلك الطفلة الشجاعة وللمحامية شدي وللشعب اليمني الذي اعتبره من أكثر الشعوب معاناة وللأسف مازالت حتي الأن
March 16, 2011
Before I comment on the book, I have to say something about the writer. Ali told her story to Delphine Minoui who is responisble for the actual written word. In some ways, this makes the story read strangely. It is ten year old, but the voice at times is far, far older than ten. In part, this must be so the novel can be read by adults, but it does give it a bit strange feel to the tone. Also, I think that the lack detail, in particular about the legal aspects of the case was done for two reasons (1) it is Ali's story from her pov so she would lack that knowledge and (2) so the book can be read by non-adults. I'm not extactly sure if I like this style, though I did find the book compelling.
Unless, you've been living under a rock, and considering what some people don't know, it is entirely possible, you've heard this story on the news. You may not have remembered the girl's name but you heard the story. Nujood was married at age 10 to man in his thirties. Her family is poor and uneducated. The marriage, in part, seems to have been a way to reduce the number of mouths to feed (according to Ali's father it was to stop her from being kidnapped). Supposedly, Nujood's husband swore that he wouldn't touch her until a year after she started her cycle. He lied.
Somehow, Nujood worked up the courage to escape and demand a divorce. This is her story, not just about the marriage, but about her family before and after the divorce. While the focus is on women's issues, there is also a sense that many of these issues are caused by poverty. Mona, Ali's older sister, loeses custody of her daughter. Her mother-in-law takes the child because a child make begging more profitable. This book is a good companion piece to Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide.
Unless, you've been living under a rock, and considering what some people don't know, it is entirely possible, you've heard this story on the news. You may not have remembered the girl's name but you heard the story. Nujood was married at age 10 to man in his thirties. Her family is poor and uneducated. The marriage, in part, seems to have been a way to reduce the number of mouths to feed (according to Ali's father it was to stop her from being kidnapped). Supposedly, Nujood's husband swore that he wouldn't touch her until a year after she started her cycle. He lied.
Somehow, Nujood worked up the courage to escape and demand a divorce. This is her story, not just about the marriage, but about her family before and after the divorce. While the focus is on women's issues, there is also a sense that many of these issues are caused by poverty. Mona, Ali's older sister, loeses custody of her daughter. Her mother-in-law takes the child because a child make begging more profitable. This book is a good companion piece to Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide.
May 21, 2017
لا تقتلوا البراءة..!
"أنا نجود ابنة العاشرة ومطلقة" عنوان مرعب لقصة تحمل بين صفحاتها الأسى الذي يقصم ظهر إنسان راشد، فكيف بطفلة لم تتجاوز العشر سنوات؟
كنت قد بحثت طويلا عن الكتاب منذ سنتين، وحين يئست قررت مشاهدة الفيلم المتوفر، لكنني توقفت عند الدقائق الأولى، حين نظرت نجود بثقة في عيني القاضي قائلة: أريد الطلاق!
أحسست بالقشعريرة تسري في كامل جسدي، ابنة العشرة سنوات تطلب الطلاق؟ ضغطت على زر إيقاف التشغيل وأقفلت بلا وعي حاسوبي، وكأني أهرب من مواجهة قصة ابنة العشر سنوات من جهة ولأني أعرف أن الأفلام تقضي على 80 بالمئة من جماليات وصدق الروايات..
قبل يومين وأنا أتصفح مواقع الكتب، واجهني الكتاب من جديد، وأخيرا متاح للتحميل! لأدخل دوامة الأسى التي شدتني من أول صفحة حتى آخر صفحة وآخر كلمة.. عندما وصلت النهاية كنت سعيدة جدا بالتحدي الذي قامت به نجود، وبالباب الذي فتحته ضد عادات مجتمعها الظالمة، لكن بالمقابل أذرفت الكثير من الدموع على البراءة التي تغتصب يوميا وبمباركة أبوية!
نجود، وجع القلب.. الابتسامة المسروقة والطفولة المخنوقة بتواطؤ من أقرب المقربين، الأب.. نجود الأنموذج أو مرآة الفتاة القاصر التي تنام وهي تحلم بالدمى لتنهض بين جدران زوج يكبرها بضعفي أو ثلاث أضعاف عمرها، الأمر أشبه بكابوس، بفيلم رعب لا يملك نهاية..
في هذا الكتاب الذي أصنفه من أوجع الكتب التي قرأتها تستطيع الكاتبة دلفين مينوي سرد القصة الكاملة والتطرق للعديد من الجوانب الخفية في المجتمع اليمني على لسان الطفلة نجود.
تبدأ من المحكمة التي لجأت إليها نجود بعد سلسلة من الضرب والإهانات والشتائم المختلفة التي تعرضت إليها من قبل زوجها ومن خلال مباركة أهلها والتحدي الكبير الذي يعتبر سابقة في المجتمع الذي تربت فيه الطفلة، وصولا إلى تدويل قضيتها من خلال محاميتها شدا ناصر وتكاتف جهود الجمعيات الإنسانية والصحافة الدولية لإسماع صوت الزوجات القاصرات من خلال أصغر مطلقة في العالم "نجود"، نجود حازت في نوفمبر 2008 في نيويورك على جائزة امرأة العالم قدمتها المجلة النسائية الأمريكية "غلامور"...
ربما أوجع ما سيصادفك كقارئ وما سيلخص كل الذي ��بق هو قول نجود: " أحسست أنني صغيرة، صغيرة جدا على هذا كله. على النقاب، على هذه الرحلة الطويلة بعيدا عن أهلي على هذه الحياة الجديدة إلى جانب رجل يثير اشمئزازي ولا أعرفه"
"أنا نجود ابنة العاشرة ومطلقة" عنوان مرعب لقصة تحمل بين صفحاتها الأسى الذي يقصم ظهر إنسان راشد، فكيف بطفلة لم تتجاوز العشر سنوات؟
كنت قد بحثت طويلا عن الكتاب منذ سنتين، وحين يئست قررت مشاهدة الفيلم المتوفر، لكنني توقفت عند الدقائق الأولى، حين نظرت نجود بثقة في عيني القاضي قائلة: أريد الطلاق!
أحسست بالقشعريرة تسري في كامل جسدي، ابنة العشرة سنوات تطلب الطلاق؟ ضغطت على زر إيقاف التشغيل وأقفلت بلا وعي حاسوبي، وكأني أهرب من مواجهة قصة ابنة العشر سنوات من جهة ولأني أعرف أن الأفلام تقضي على 80 بالمئة من جماليات وصدق الروايات..
قبل يومين وأنا أتصفح مواقع الكتب، واجهني الكتاب من جديد، وأخيرا متاح للتحميل! لأدخل دوامة الأسى التي شدتني من أول صفحة حتى آخر صفحة وآخر كلمة.. عندما وصلت النهاية كنت سعيدة جدا بالتحدي الذي قامت به نجود، وبالباب الذي فتحته ضد عادات مجتمعها الظالمة، لكن بالمقابل أذرفت الكثير من الدموع على البراءة التي تغتصب يوميا وبمباركة أبوية!
نجود، وجع القلب.. الابتسامة المسروقة والطفولة المخنوقة بتواطؤ من أقرب المقربين، الأب.. نجود الأنموذج أو مرآة الفتاة القاصر التي تنام وهي تحلم بالدمى لتنهض بين جدران زوج يكبرها بضعفي أو ثلاث أضعاف عمرها، الأمر أشبه بكابوس، بفيلم رعب لا يملك نهاية..
في هذا الكتاب الذي أصنفه من أوجع الكتب التي قرأتها تستطيع الكاتبة دلفين مينوي سرد القصة الكاملة والتطرق للعديد من الجوانب الخفية في المجتمع اليمني على لسان الطفلة نجود.
تبدأ من المحكمة التي لجأت إليها نجود بعد سلسلة من الضرب والإهانات والشتائم المختلفة التي تعرضت إليها من قبل زوجها ومن خلال مباركة أهلها والتحدي الكبير الذي يعتبر سابقة في المجتمع الذي تربت فيه الطفلة، وصولا إلى تدويل قضيتها من خلال محاميتها شدا ناصر وتكاتف جهود الجمعيات الإنسانية والصحافة الدولية لإسماع صوت الزوجات القاصرات من خلال أصغر مطلقة في العالم "نجود"، نجود حازت في نوفمبر 2008 في نيويورك على جائزة امرأة العالم قدمتها المجلة النسائية الأمريكية "غلامور"...
ربما أوجع ما سيصادفك كقارئ وما سيلخص كل الذي ��بق هو قول نجود: " أحسست أنني صغيرة، صغيرة جدا على هذا كله. على النقاب، على هذه الرحلة الطويلة بعيدا عن أهلي على هذه الحياة الجديدة إلى جانب رجل يثير اشمئزازي ولا أعرفه"
June 17, 2018
بیشتر شبیه یه گزارش بود تا کتاب. مثلا "هزار خورشید تابان" خالد حسینی یه داستان و روایت کامل بود ولی "نجود" مستقیم به اصل ماجرا پرداخته بود.
با اینکه در کشور خودمون ازدواج کودکان رو داریم ولی بازم تکان دهنده بود.
امیدوارم یه روزی بیاد که ظلمی به زنان نشه.
با اینکه در کشور خودمون ازدواج کودکان رو داریم ولی بازم تکان دهنده بود.
امیدوارم یه روزی بیاد که ظلمی به زنان نشه.
June 25, 2017
I'm both sad and ashamed to give this book only 2 stars .
Don't get me wrong , I've watched the documentary and after reading the book , i can only feel sad and heartbroken for what a young 10 years old girl had to go through !
Her journey is both compelling and inspiring however my rating has nothing to do with her survival story.
I hated how i had to read from the journalist's perspective , as if Noujoud had no opinions or feelings to share , because if she stood up to her husband and family , and managed to get herself out of this horrible mess, she's strong enough to deliver her own story and has a say in this matter .
Don't get me wrong , I've watched the documentary and after reading the book , i can only feel sad and heartbroken for what a young 10 years old girl had to go through !
Her journey is both compelling and inspiring however my rating has nothing to do with her survival story.
I hated how i had to read from the journalist's perspective , as if Noujoud had no opinions or feelings to share , because if she stood up to her husband and family , and managed to get herself out of this horrible mess, she's strong enough to deliver her own story and has a say in this matter .
November 17, 2012
تتحدث الروايه عن أشهر طفلة في العالم العربي، اليمنية نجود أحمد علي، التي حصلت على الطلاق من زوجها وعمرها 10 سنوات
فتاة اليمن السعيد ومثيلاتها كثيرات على امتداد أوطاننا السعيدة ـ مسروقة من على مقعد الدراسة، ومن كراسة الرسم ولعبة الغميضة، ومسلسلات توم وجيري، ومساقة إلى سرير الزوجية، لتطاردها كل مساء اغتصابات زوج ثلاثيني، وكوابيس ملونة بالدم النازف من عذرية الطفولة،
الطفله اللتي كان من المفترض أن تظل طفلة، لكنها بحكم الأهل والفقر باتت عروساً فامرأة، وبأمر المحكمة أصبحت مطلقة في قضية ملأت الدنيا وشغلت الناس.
الكتاب يستحق القراءة ليتعرف البعض منا عن واقع مرعب يعيشه بعض الفتيات ليل نهار في عوالم من المفترض أن تكون مثاليه ,في ظل أشباه الأباء اللذين يتاجرون ببناتهم لأجل المال
لعل نجود أستطاعت إيصال صوتها الا ان الآلاف من الفتيات لازلن تحت وطأة الظلم والاستبداد
فتاة اليمن السعيد ومثيلاتها كثيرات على امتداد أوطاننا السعيدة ـ مسروقة من على مقعد الدراسة، ومن كراسة الرسم ولعبة الغميضة، ومسلسلات توم وجيري، ومساقة إلى سرير الزوجية، لتطاردها كل مساء اغتصابات زوج ثلاثيني، وكوابيس ملونة بالدم النازف من عذرية الطفولة،
الطفله اللتي كان من المفترض أن تظل طفلة، لكنها بحكم الأهل والفقر باتت عروساً فامرأة، وبأمر المحكمة أصبحت مطلقة في قضية ملأت الدنيا وشغلت الناس.
الكتاب يستحق القراءة ليتعرف البعض منا عن واقع مرعب يعيشه بعض الفتيات ليل نهار في عوالم من المفترض أن تكون مثاليه ,في ظل أشباه الأباء اللذين يتاجرون ببناتهم لأجل المال
لعل نجود أستطاعت إيصال صوتها الا ان الآلاف من الفتيات لازلن تحت وطأة الظلم والاستبداد
September 2, 2016
The "I really like it" 4 star rating is for the story, not the writing. The latter one is bland, the former quite uplifting and hopeful. Unfortunately, you don't really do justice to the story of the repeated rape of a 10 year old and her subjection to a deluded culture by writting "hopefully" about it. I believe in the power of cruel writing - where you make the reader so disgusted and scared by what is presented that he fears not only for other, but for himself. I believe writing should also be used as a weapon- and weapons should be dangerous. The story has a happy ending - but it's just this story. And you are left to wonder - ok, but what about the other millions of girls that live a life of slow torture and shame, and have never had the chance to speak up about it?
February 20, 2017
Cadê a Lupa
Histórias assim têm um poder transformador. Após a sua leitura, sentimos os nossos problemas do dia à dia a encolher...encolher...mirrar...mirrar...
Cadê a lupa?!...
Histórias assim têm um poder transformador. Após a sua leitura, sentimos os nossos problemas do dia à dia a encolher...encolher...mirrar...mirrar...
Cadê a lupa?!...
September 22, 2010
Such a brave and resilient little girl! At the age of 10, Nujood was married off to a man of thirty. He promised her father that he wouldn't consummate the marriage until she'd reached puberty, but began daily raping her starting on the wedding night. He also beat her black and blue on a regular basis. While on a visit to the city to see her family, Nujood ran away and stumbled into the courthouse asking, "Where's the judge? I want a divorce!" She had no money, no education, and no idea what she'd gotten into, but was lucky enough to find a lady lawyer and three judges who were sympathetic to her cause. She was granted the first divorce given to a child bride in Yemen, and has since served as an inspiration to other child brides who have also been able to get divorces.
The story is very simply told and easily read in a day or two. It's not actually written by Nujood, but told to Delphine Minoui, who kept it in the simple form of a little girl's telling.
The story is very simply told and easily read in a day or two. It's not actually written by Nujood, but told to Delphine Minoui, who kept it in the simple form of a little girl's telling.
March 20, 2020
Nujood's story is sad and heartbreaking. It's unbelievable to think that families still sell their young daughters into marriage in today's world. While I understand theirs is a totally different culture, I don't think that compassion and human decency should differ from one culture to another. Those who helped her were her angels, or she never would have escaped the abuse and torture.
September 20, 2016
Δεν είναι εύκολο να βαθμολογήσεις τη ζωή κάποιου άλλου, πόσο μάλλον μιας δεκάχρονης, οπότε θα βάλω 5 αστέρια .
Πιστεύω ότι θα μου άρεσε περισσότερο αν το είχα διαβάσει έφηβη ή πολύ νεότερη τέλος πάντων, τώρα γ��ωρίζω ότι αυτά που περιγράφει (και άλλα χειρότερα) συμβαίνουν.
Πιστεύω ότι θα μου άρεσε περισσότερο αν το είχα διαβάσει έφηβη ή πολύ νεότερη τέλος πάντων, τώρα γ��ωρίζω ότι αυτά που περιγράφει (και άλλα χειρότερα) συμβαίνουν.
December 31, 2012
قاتلكم الله يامن تحبون اغتصاب الاطفال تحت ستار الدين
كانت رائعة جدا ... وبريئة للغاية
اختم عامي بها
October 15, 2012
كتاب صادم بشكل مفجع .. نجود و غيرها من الحالات تعتبر إفرازاً طبيعياً للجهل المتفشي في المجتمعات العربية .. المشكلة لا تكمن في الجهل بحد ذاته ، و إنما في أولئك الذين يرتكبون حماقاتهم باسم الدين .. في هذا الكتاب مثلاً كانت حجة والد الطفلة بأن الرسول عليه السلام تزوج من السيدة عائشة و هي ابنة تسع سنين ، في حين أنه يتناسى مثلاً بأن الصحابي أسامة بن زيد قاد جيش المسلمين و هو لا يتجاوز الخمسة عشر عاماً .. المجتمع الآن لا يطالب الشباب بقيادة الجيوش في عمر المراهقة و لكنه ما زال يطالب الطفلات بالزواج في عمر العشر سنوات .. أما آن لهم أن يستوعبوا فكرة أن الزمان و المعايير قد اختلفت ؟
May 14, 2018
في اليمن
منذ أن كنت في الابتدائية و أغلب صديقاتي و زميلاتي كن مخطوبات
و في الاعدادية يأتين ببطاقات الزفاف لدعوتي أنا و البنات لحفل الزفاف
و في الثانوية نجد أنفسنا خالات
فصديقاتنا أصبحن أمهات
.....
و بالطبع لا ننسى المثل اليمني
زوج بنتك ثمان و علي الضمان
و المثل الآخر
دلع الولد و لا تدل البنت
.....
الأمثال طويله في هذا السياق و القصص و مرارتها أطول
.....
....
....
منذ أن كنت في الابتدائية و أغلب صديقاتي و زميلاتي كن مخطوبات
و في الاعدادية يأتين ببطاقات الزفاف لدعوتي أنا و البنات لحفل الزفاف
و في الثانوية نجد أنفسنا خالات
فصديقاتنا أصبحن أمهات
.....
و بالطبع لا ننسى المثل اليمني
زوج بنتك ثمان و علي الضمان
و المثل الآخر
دلع الولد و لا تدل البنت
.....
الأمثال طويله في هذا السياق و القصص و مرارتها أطول
.....
....
....
October 28, 2020
Manapság a könyvkiadás is egy ipar lett, és mint iparág, kitermelte a maga sajátos moralitással rendelkező szegmenseit. Tagadhatatlan ugyanis, hogy van a kiadott könyveknek egy nem is olyan kis része, amelyik direkt egy olyan valóságélményre játszik rá, amely úgy foglalható össze, hogy a megtörténte szörnyű, a távolsága szerencsés. Éppen ezért évről évre megszületnek azok a könyvek, amelyek az angolszász piacon kielégítik az idegek felborzolásának az igényét. Az arab világ és Észak-Korea a nyerő helyek, még a Molyon is találni tucatnyi könyvet az elmúlt évtizedből, amelyek az itteni emberi (és főleg női) sorsokat dolgozzák fel. Fekete-Afrika vagy Dél-Amerika már korántsem foglal el ennyire előkelő helyet ezen a listán, pedig innen is volna mit megírni. Szóval van egy olyan gyanúm, hogy ezeknek a könyveknek a moralitása kicsit emlékezet azokra a tévéműsorokra, amikor a végstádiumú haldokló rákos gyerek kis piros matchboxot kapott élő adásban az egyik magyar tévéműsorban.
Ugyanakkor persze ott a mérleg másik serpenyője, hogy egy olyan kérdésről esik szó, ami még az emberjogi küzdelmeknek sincs feltétlenül a fókuszában. A gyereklányok férjhez adása ugyanis a világ egyes részein mondhatni kulturális hagyomány, másrészt az érintetteknek ritkán van lehetősége és bátorsága, hogy szembeszálljon a sorsával. Mielőtt hátba veregetnénk magunkat, hogy bezzeg hazánkban kinőttük ezeket az állapotokat, nem árt tudni, hogy a KSH statisztikái szerint nagyjából minden egyes napon egy 18 éven aluli magyar lány házasodik meg, jellemzően nála sokkal idősebb emberrel: https://wmn.hu/ugy/49583-gyerekhazass...
Több értékelésben azt olvasom, hogy ez középkori szokás, ami tévedés. A középkorban ugyanis az első menstruációig tilos volt elhálni a házasságot, hiába kötötték azt meg. (Persze ne legyen kétségünk afelől, hogy itt is túl nagy hangsúly került az emberi tényezőre és belátásra, ezért egyéni tragédiák előfordultak). Nudzsúd részben annak köszönhette a sikerét, hogy még a jemeni és az iszlám jogot is megsértve bántak vele a házasságában és erőszakolták meg.
Maga a könyv egyébként szövegében nem túl értékes és ezért a kevés csillag. Érthető okokból, hiszen egy tíz éves kislány és egy szellemíró közös munkája. Ha előveszem a tízévesen írt fogalmazásaimat, akkor azok szintén nem érdemelnek egy könyvet, tehát nem is róhatom fel egy amúgy írástudatlan lánynak, hogy nem fabrikál kerek mondatokat. A szellemíró pedig választás elé került: vagy egy gyermekinek tűnő stílust kalapál össze Nudzsúd mondataiból, vagy egy többszörösen összetett mondatokat nagyobb arányban tartalmazó szöveget. Utóbbi azzal járt volna, hogy hiteltelenné válik a könyv, ami talán fontos marketingszempontnak számított, ezért az előbbi utat választotta. Nem volt egy túl jó ötlet, így sem olyan az eredmény, amire büszke lehetne a szellemíró. El kell persze ismerni, hogy itt nem volt jó választás.
A történtek óta eltelt egy évtized. A könyvben egy frissen szerzett békés állapotról olvashatunk. Azóta Jemen visszacsúszott a polgárháborúba, ahol a síita húszik küzdenek a szaúdiak vezette koalíció frissen vásárolt csillogó fegyvereivel. Az ország, ahol még elég víz sincsen, a humanitárius katasztrófahelyzet szélén egyensúlyoz évek óta. Ali Abdullah Száleh, akinek a képét Nudzsúd még mindenhol láthatta, egy húszi mesterlövész áldozata lett.
Nudzsúdnak a hírnév nem jött jól, úgy járt, ahogy a lottónyereménnyel szoktak azok a szegény emberek járni, akinek a nakukba szakad a szerencse. Mert az a pár ezer dollár, amit kapott, valóban egy lottó nyeremény a helyi szinten. Nudzsúd persze nem juthatott a pénzhez, csak egy ideig támogatták az oktatását, inkább boltot próbáltak meg működtetni belőle, aztán az apja két fiatal feleséget vásárolt a pénzből. Nudzsúd azóta férjhez ment és két gyermeket szült, de még mindig csak 22 éves. Csak remélni merem, hogy a korai kényszerházasság és a hírnév okozta átok ellenére boldog és kiegyensúlyozott életet tud magának találni.
Ugyanakkor persze ott a mérleg másik serpenyője, hogy egy olyan kérdésről esik szó, ami még az emberjogi küzdelmeknek sincs feltétlenül a fókuszában. A gyereklányok férjhez adása ugyanis a világ egyes részein mondhatni kulturális hagyomány, másrészt az érintetteknek ritkán van lehetősége és bátorsága, hogy szembeszálljon a sorsával. Mielőtt hátba veregetnénk magunkat, hogy bezzeg hazánkban kinőttük ezeket az állapotokat, nem árt tudni, hogy a KSH statisztikái szerint nagyjából minden egyes napon egy 18 éven aluli magyar lány házasodik meg, jellemzően nála sokkal idősebb emberrel: https://wmn.hu/ugy/49583-gyerekhazass...
Több értékelésben azt olvasom, hogy ez középkori szokás, ami tévedés. A középkorban ugyanis az első menstruációig tilos volt elhálni a házasságot, hiába kötötték azt meg. (Persze ne legyen kétségünk afelől, hogy itt is túl nagy hangsúly került az emberi tényezőre és belátásra, ezért egyéni tragédiák előfordultak). Nudzsúd részben annak köszönhette a sikerét, hogy még a jemeni és az iszlám jogot is megsértve bántak vele a házasságában és erőszakolták meg.
Maga a könyv egyébként szövegében nem túl értékes és ezért a kevés csillag. Érthető okokból, hiszen egy tíz éves kislány és egy szellemíró közös munkája. Ha előveszem a tízévesen írt fogalmazásaimat, akkor azok szintén nem érdemelnek egy könyvet, tehát nem is róhatom fel egy amúgy írástudatlan lánynak, hogy nem fabrikál kerek mondatokat. A szellemíró pedig választás elé került: vagy egy gyermekinek tűnő stílust kalapál össze Nudzsúd mondataiból, vagy egy többszörösen összetett mondatokat nagyobb arányban tartalmazó szöveget. Utóbbi azzal járt volna, hogy hiteltelenné válik a könyv, ami talán fontos marketingszempontnak számított, ezért az előbbi utat választotta. Nem volt egy túl jó ötlet, így sem olyan az eredmény, amire büszke lehetne a szellemíró. El kell persze ismerni, hogy itt nem volt jó választás.
A történtek óta eltelt egy évtized. A könyvben egy frissen szerzett békés állapotról olvashatunk. Azóta Jemen visszacsúszott a polgárháborúba, ahol a síita húszik küzdenek a szaúdiak vezette koalíció frissen vásárolt csillogó fegyvereivel. Az ország, ahol még elég víz sincsen, a humanitárius katasztrófahelyzet szélén egyensúlyoz évek óta. Ali Abdullah Száleh, akinek a képét Nudzsúd még mindenhol láthatta, egy húszi mesterlövész áldozata lett.
Nudzsúdnak a hírnév nem jött jól, úgy járt, ahogy a lottónyereménnyel szoktak azok a szegény emberek járni, akinek a nakukba szakad a szerencse. Mert az a pár ezer dollár, amit kapott, valóban egy lottó nyeremény a helyi szinten. Nudzsúd persze nem juthatott a pénzhez, csak egy ideig támogatták az oktatását, inkább boltot próbáltak meg működtetni belőle, aztán az apja két fiatal feleséget vásárolt a pénzből. Nudzsúd azóta férjhez ment és két gyermeket szült, de még mindig csak 22 éves. Csak remélni merem, hogy a korai kényszerházasság és a hírnév okozta átok ellenére boldog és kiegyensúlyozott életet tud magának találni.
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