2010-04-27
Nazia Quazi
7:49 AM
Ok, so who has heard of Nazia Quazi? If you haven't, you need to read this. I'm astounded that this story is not getting more Canadian press. It deserves it.
I've read a few versions of the story, and I heard CBC Radio interview her (love you Anna Maria Tremonti!) and here's the gist: Nazia is an Indian-Canadian with duel citizenship. Sound familiar? I would guess that a majority of Canadians at the very least qualify for duel citizenship, even if they only have one passport. I myself could have three different passports if I chose to.
I believe Nazia was born in India and moved to Canada at a young age. She did what most Canadians do, she went to school, grew up, fell in love. Problem is that her family did not approve of the man she fell in love with. She moved out. She travelled with her boyfriend overseas. Her parents found out where she was and went to get her back. So far a relatively normal story, though perhaps most teenages jump in a car when their parents disapprove, rather than a plane - but hey, times change.
This is where the story takes a turn. Her parents, or her father, took her to Saudi Arabia. Neither she nor her father are Saudi Arabian. In Saudi, every woman must have a legal guardian. Let me repeat that: if you are a woman, you must have a male legal guardian, or sponsor, who officially makes your legal decisions. This is not an issue of religion, Saudi Arabia is the only country with this type of system. So, unbeknownst to her, when she entered the country she effectively became a prisoner. She cannot leave without the permission of her father. She has been there since 2007.
Ok, so there are obviously two sides to every story and I only know one side, but you have to admit, that one side is pretty compelling. I find it hard to think of a justifiable reason on her father's part for keeping her in such a country against her will. She is an adult Canadian woman who is being forced to live in a world that considers women to be unable to make any decisions. It's unclear what the Canadian government is doing about it - but I decided to tell her story because I think it's important for us all to know.
Here's her facebook group:
And let me repeat - this is not an issue of religion, this is an issue that every woman, regardless of religion, should be aware of and involved in. Same goes for the men out there who love women. Situations such as this one should not be allowed to continue - and as much as I love Canada, I'm ashamed that we're not doing more as a country. I don't care if she entered on an Indian passport, all that means is that there should be two countries going to bat for her rather than one...are you listening Mr. Harper?
I've read a few versions of the story, and I heard CBC Radio interview her (love you Anna Maria Tremonti!) and here's the gist: Nazia is an Indian-Canadian with duel citizenship. Sound familiar? I would guess that a majority of Canadians at the very least qualify for duel citizenship, even if they only have one passport. I myself could have three different passports if I chose to.
I believe Nazia was born in India and moved to Canada at a young age. She did what most Canadians do, she went to school, grew up, fell in love. Problem is that her family did not approve of the man she fell in love with. She moved out. She travelled with her boyfriend overseas. Her parents found out where she was and went to get her back. So far a relatively normal story, though perhaps most teenages jump in a car when their parents disapprove, rather than a plane - but hey, times change.
This is where the story takes a turn. Her parents, or her father, took her to Saudi Arabia. Neither she nor her father are Saudi Arabian. In Saudi, every woman must have a legal guardian. Let me repeat that: if you are a woman, you must have a male legal guardian, or sponsor, who officially makes your legal decisions. This is not an issue of religion, Saudi Arabia is the only country with this type of system. So, unbeknownst to her, when she entered the country she effectively became a prisoner. She cannot leave without the permission of her father. She has been there since 2007.
Ok, so there are obviously two sides to every story and I only know one side, but you have to admit, that one side is pretty compelling. I find it hard to think of a justifiable reason on her father's part for keeping her in such a country against her will. She is an adult Canadian woman who is being forced to live in a world that considers women to be unable to make any decisions. It's unclear what the Canadian government is doing about it - but I decided to tell her story because I think it's important for us all to know.
Here's her facebook group:
And let me repeat - this is not an issue of religion, this is an issue that every woman, regardless of religion, should be aware of and involved in. Same goes for the men out there who love women. Situations such as this one should not be allowed to continue - and as much as I love Canada, I'm ashamed that we're not doing more as a country. I don't care if she entered on an Indian passport, all that means is that there should be two countries going to bat for her rather than one...are you listening Mr. Harper?
VACATION!
So, I'm on vacation. I'm on an island with turquoise waters and white sandy beaches. There are lawyers employed here and I wonder why I'm not one of them. It's such an easy decision, no?
So, I think I've found my schtick. I'm not sure yet how to frame it. I've got to ponder for a while before what I'll call my 'big reveal'. I'm not sure why I'm calling it big, since this is basically a personal diary that no one actually reads. Anyway, I'll introduce it this way:
I'm a lawyer. I've mentioned this before. I went to law school not being sure what I wanted to do with the degree in the end. Many of us law students do this, and then, when we graduate, we realize that we are so in debt that we have no choice but to become lawyers. I was an average student. I could have been a great one, but that involves so. much. work. Everyone in law school is smart and I considered myself one of the lucky ones, I didn't have to study too hard to get a Bish and when I liked the course I naturally put in the work to get those rogue A's. This does not compete with those Type A's that were going for medals.
I'm getting to the point. There are many programs out there, official ones, that allow lawyers to do good - like UN internships or NGO type volunteer work. The problem is that these programs are, generally speaking, competitive. They inevitably go to the one who got the better grades who are willing to do it for zero income - in other words, not me.
But that doesn't mean I don't have anything to offer! Here's the thing. I would take, let's say, a year off. I would travel anywhere (I'm single, no kids). I would work for room and board (food must be in too). I might need a bit of money to cover my student loans - but if room and board are included I'd do it for as little as $600/month. My argument is: there must be an organization out there who could use me. Who could take me up on this offer. I wouldn't do it for a company who's aim is profit - I'm looking to make social change and do something meaningful. My question is this: how do I find those organizations and how do they find me?
It is possible that they are in the same situation that I am, maybe they don't qualify for the fancy programmes that I discussed earlier. Does that make their need any less? You see where I am going with this.
This idea is fledgling at the moment, but I think I'm on to something.
So, I think I've found my schtick. I'm not sure yet how to frame it. I've got to ponder for a while before what I'll call my 'big reveal'. I'm not sure why I'm calling it big, since this is basically a personal diary that no one actually reads. Anyway, I'll introduce it this way:
I'm a lawyer. I've mentioned this before. I went to law school not being sure what I wanted to do with the degree in the end. Many of us law students do this, and then, when we graduate, we realize that we are so in debt that we have no choice but to become lawyers. I was an average student. I could have been a great one, but that involves so. much. work. Everyone in law school is smart and I considered myself one of the lucky ones, I didn't have to study too hard to get a Bish and when I liked the course I naturally put in the work to get those rogue A's. This does not compete with those Type A's that were going for medals.
I'm getting to the point. There are many programs out there, official ones, that allow lawyers to do good - like UN internships or NGO type volunteer work. The problem is that these programs are, generally speaking, competitive. They inevitably go to the one who got the better grades who are willing to do it for zero income - in other words, not me.
But that doesn't mean I don't have anything to offer! Here's the thing. I would take, let's say, a year off. I would travel anywhere (I'm single, no kids). I would work for room and board (food must be in too). I might need a bit of money to cover my student loans - but if room and board are included I'd do it for as little as $600/month. My argument is: there must be an organization out there who could use me. Who could take me up on this offer. I wouldn't do it for a company who's aim is profit - I'm looking to make social change and do something meaningful. My question is this: how do I find those organizations and how do they find me?
It is possible that they are in the same situation that I am, maybe they don't qualify for the fancy programmes that I discussed earlier. Does that make their need any less? You see where I am going with this.
This idea is fledgling at the moment, but I think I'm on to something.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)