Lama was a five-year-old half Egyptian, half Saudi girl. Her mother was born in Egypt and immigrated to Saudi over 25 years ago. Her father, sheikh Fayhan Al Ghamdi, was a frequent guest speaker on Islamists channels. Al Ghamdi divorced Lama’s mother and took custody of Lama soon afterwards. In this video he tears up at the plight of orphans as he talks about the religious rewards of adoption.
For everyone who claims that the Saudi system of guardianship and "Islamic" law is the best and a favor to women. For everyone who idolizes scholars and sheikhs, taking their interpretations over their own. For every mother without her child thanks to the twisted judgements of the Saudi courts. For every child placed in harm's way at the hands of those who are supposed to protect them. For every woman not living up to her potential because a man said she cannot. And for everyone who believes that coming to Saudi Arabia qualifies as hijra, and that you will be blessed and rewarded for coming to this place, because this is the land of Islam.
What this man did is beyond words, what the judge is allowing him to get away with is beyond criminal, and what this mother has to live with for the rest of her life is beyond explanation or understanding.
I am beyond words on this- but will add I believe he owes the blood money to himself as he was her guardian.
Sorry UTA I read the article but I am a bit confused… did the father sexually abuse her then kill her? I feel so depressed when I read things like this. How can we change the situation? I feel utterly helpless. That poor baby girl… I can’t imagine how her mother is feeling. I have one daughter and can not imagine anyone hurting her like that. These things happen so frequently, you’d think that abusers were everywhere, whereas in reality they are a minority. But when you have a majority who just sit back and let it happen… this is the end result.
He tortured her until she died. This is the first article I’ve read that included sexual abuse. I’m absolutely sick…I cannot even begin to imagine. Another article I read stated that the mother refused the blood money ruling and is appealing the judgment.
Unbelievable… Thank you for blogging about it and bringing awareness.
Horrible … sadly these horrendous incidents happen in different pockets of the world – like the rape of a college girl that happened in India. The BIG difference is the way KSA allows men to get away with it whereas in the rest of the world there would be severe punishments meted out.
The sick part is, when this story broke, the people were floored and called for this guy’s death. How the courts are able to let monsters like this get away with their crimes is beyond me. Other cases of severe child abuse or torture resulting in death will get the death penalty. I think this man’s status as a sheikh affected the judgment.
I dont see any coverage of this news in newspapers in the world
There is an article on this by associated press … hope the international outrage moves the Saudi govt to withdraw the pardon with blood money
I’ve noticed a couple articles internationally as well. I’m hoping that some international press will motivate the Saudi government to step in and give this guy what he deserves.
I really dont know what to think, i am simply just shocked – shocked that nothing will happen to him!
He should feel the same pain as her.
What I don’t understand is – KSA is land of Arab, speak in Arab language, read Quran in first language still buying this kind of “illat”…
No fatwa condemning this case from others scholar? What happen to Saudi scholar, too afraid of ruler? What ulama do, sitting in soft cushion, watching Youtube?
This kind of so called ‘sheikh’ have been told in Quran, Al- Araf, 175-176:
And recite to them, [O Muhammad], the news of him to whom we gave [knowledge of] Our signs, but he detached himself from them; so Satan pursued him, and he became of the deviators. And if We had willed, we could have elevated him thereby, but he adhered [instead] to the earth and followed his own desire. So his example is like that of the dog: if you chase him, he pants, or if you leave him, he [still] pants. That is the example of the people who denied Our signs. So relate the stories that perhaps they will give thought.
Even, Allah compare them to dog…
That just makes me sick! That poor little girl! And you have to believe that he will get his punishment some day.
I have been reading your blog for some time and it is amazing what you are doing to be close to your daughter. But one question that I cant not ask you is what made u decide to marry a guy from completely different nationality, religion and culture and then move to this unknown country with him? Did u not research or read about what you getting into, where you were going? How and why did you land yourself in such a situation in the first place, coming from a country like America which is so different. I just want to know how you got there? I am not judging, but yes, I am curious. Because I am a woman, an independent one and I just can not imagine moving to an unknown country with such different culture and philosophy alone for someone else, that too with a bond like marriage. Coz then if u cant cope, and u stay…its hell but if u leave, thats not heaven either!
I married him because I loved him and at 20 years old, the age when I first met him and fell in love with him, I thought that love was the only thing that mattered. I was fascinated by him and everything that made him different, and stubborn towards the idea that our differences would cause problems down the road. When I moved to Saudi the first time, I did some research and I knew the basics, but once again, I though our marriage was different and he was different and our story would turn out differently than everyone else’s. And it has, I guess, but not for the best. The second time I moved here I admit it was out of desperation and fear of what would happen if I didn’t. Hindsight as they say is indeed 20/20 and I’ve learned why coming here the second time wasn’t a good decision, along with a host of other life lessons. If I had it to do over again, I would choose differently, but not because it’s a different country and culture, but because this particular country isn’t a place I can live my own life, and not because I don’t believe that people from different cultures or religions can’t coexist or be happily married, but because the differences between The Mr. and I are so vast and incompatible that I cannot be married to him and true to myself at the same time.
I hope I answered your questions and didn’t ramble on too much!
20 years is a young age to know what you really want, to truly know your own self and so yeah I understand. I dont think people from 2 different cultures can not coexist but yes it truly matters how different those two cultures are and how much two people involved are willing to walk to meet somewhere in the middle so the differences can be mitigated. But I read about someone like you and many others who fall in love and are willing to take such big changes in your life and it amazes me because I feel I am incapable of loving someone so much that I can let go of everything I have known all my life. Infact sometimes I wonder if I know what love is. I am married, love my life, marriage and my husband but I dont think I can leave my life, my family, my culture, traditions, religion, things that define me to build a life with him. That requires a love of different kind I guess, a sacrifice of different nature.
His Mr T your gardian? I am so confused as to how this can even work. I am truly in awh to what you are going through for your daughter.
Is there any chance he would let you move with her in another country? Even Bahrein would be great you could drive:) I though there was a law requiring Saudi men marying foreign women to let them leave if they wanted too… In any case you are so courageous. I find you incredibly inspiring. Best of luck.
..Rest in peace Lama..
Yes, he is my guardian since he is still legally my husband and my sponsor in this country. No, he will not allow me to move my daughter to any other country. There is supposedly a law that requires Saudi men who marry foreign women to sign a document saying that they may leave with their children at any time, but that “law” came into effect in 2008, and I got the permission to come to KSA in 2007, so the law doesn’t apply to my daughter and I. Thanks for the well wishes, and indeed, may Lama rest in peace.
But if u had the courage to do that then, u will find a way to deal with this situation too. Things always have a way of working out and it will all work out for the best for you and your daughter. Much love and best wishes for a wonderful life.
I have absolute faith that things will work out someday. Thank you for the well wishes!
Reblogged this on Musings from Miami and commented:
my heart breaks for this little girl’s mother.
This is so disgusting. Sadly this is not just a KSA issue. This stuff happens everywhere. Still I am wondering why he is alive since rape is a death penalty, intentional murder would be too (this is intentional if you torture them to death). Wouldn’t incest be as well? In the time of the prophet pbuh this would not have happened. I hate it when people mask their evil behind a veil of piety. Honestly I’m surprised he survived prison at all. From what I understand worldwide child molesters are target number one in prisons. Humans are not animals as people try to say, they are another thing all together. An animal would not rape and torture it’s child.
The abuse of children is definitely not just a KSA issue, but the fact that men committing these crimes are basically getting off with a slap on the hand seems to be unique to KSA. Saudi Woman has a new post out hilighting some other cases where fathers were let off as well. Check it out: http://saudiwoman.me/2013/02/03/whats-up-with-the-national-society-of-human-rights/