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?
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