Behind A VeilBy: Grisel Villa

Through the photography and personal accounts of various

Muslim women, this photo essay will provide insight to the

practice of acid burning within Islamic countries and will

give details on how Muslim culture has allowed this horrific

practice to continue.

Branded UnworthyAcid burning has long been practiced by Islamic countries as a punishment for women who are not acting according to the beliefs of the traditional Muslim man. In 2003, Saira Liaqat,2 22, was burned due to a dispute over an arranged marriage. Her sister-to-be convinced her brother that the economic status of Siara’s family made her an unworthy candidate.

Paula Bronstein/Getty Images

Punished UnjustlyAcid is thrown at women to avenge the shame that she is accused of bringing upon a male. Acid burns are commonly inflicted over refusals of marriage proposals, including arranged partnerships, domestic arguments and sexual advances that are rejected.2

Paula Bronstein/Getty Images

Kept in PlaceAcid burns do not commonly cause death but result in severe disfigurement and suffering, which detain women to their homes and lead to social isolation and depression. In Pakistan, Iram Saeed,4 29, was burned 13 years ago and has undergone plastic surgery 25 times due to the severity of her injuries. She lost her left eye as a result of her attack.

Paula Bronstein/Getty Images

Scarred and DamagedA student, Saira,1 26, was burned by acid for refusing to live with her husband before the term set by their families’ arrangement of their marriage. It had been decided that Saira would be allowed to finish her schooling. She has had plastic surgery nine times to recuperate from her scarring.

Pajamas Media

The Most Vulnerable In Afghanistan, the old Taliban thinkers are exercising a movement of terrorizing young girls. As a way to fight the new Afghan government and the influence of American ideas, they are using acid burnings to prevent young girls from going to school.2

Danfung Dennis

Forbidden from Growing“My parents told me to keep coming to school even if I am killed…The people who did this to me don’t want women to be educated. They want us to be stupid things.” - Shamsia,2 17 years old

Danfung Dennis

Left to Suffer“I remember when my daughters were attacked. I found [my eldest daughter] lying in the street. Her face was so badly burned. She was in so much pain. I thought she was dead. I carried her to the hospital.” Ali now worries for his daughter’s future. He knows that “she’ll never be able to get married with a face like that.” - Hussein Ali3

Liberty Sugar

Betrayed, UnshelteredHer face was left mutilated and her eyes badly impaired by her husband, who attacked her for the suspicion of infidelity. Ameena,4 22, must now hide herself daily behind a veil, for her distorted image frightens her two young daughters, ages two and seven.

Reza Sayah

Hunted and BrokenAcid burning is commonly used within domestic abuse, in some situations forcing young girls to leave their homes and reside elsewhere. At five years of age, Pakistani Najaf Sultana1 was physically terrorized by her father while she was sleeping. The father punished the young child because he was angry that she was not a male child.

Pajamas Media

They are not SafeIn August 2009, a man was sentenced to death after a four year trial in Bangladesh for burning his nine-year-old wife with acid. He became violent after Monira Begum4 left his home and refused to engage in sexual intimacies. He left her blind and disfigured.

Himself

The Culprits Go FreeWomen in Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, and other Islamic countries face rooted biases in their justice system, and governing officials are unwilling to invade in these so called 'family matters'. Only a small percentage of these abuse cases go to trial, while the majority are settled out of court after an ample bribe is paid. 3

Paula Bronstein/Getty Images

They Live Without Rights“The people who did this, do not feel the pain of others,”

-a young victim from Afghanistan.2

Pajamas Media

Works Cited 1Chesler, Phyllis . “Under the Islamic Veil: Faces Disfigured By Acid.”

Chesler Chronicles, 29 Nov. 2009. Web. 15 Nov. 2010.2 Filkins, Dexter. “A School Bus for Shamsia.”

The New York Times, 2009. Web. 13 Nov. 2010. 3 Filkins, Dexter. “Afghan Girls, Scarred by Acid, Defy Terror, Embracing School.” The New York Times, 2009. Web. 13 Nov. 2010. 4Unknown Author. “Woman Blinded By Acid Wants Same Fate for Attacker.” Ginger Asia, 20 Feb. 2009. Web. 15 Nov. 2010.