Hicham El Ouahabi | Mahsa Amini, we won’t forget you
A year ago, Mahsa Amini was found dead in a police cell in Iran. She had been arrested shortly before for allegedly not wearing her headscarf properly. It is important not to forget her, argues Hicham El Ouahabi. ‘It concerns all of us, no matter who you are. Even if we are those who have gained many rights. Nothing is immutable.’
There is much to write about, complain about, and ponder. But sometimes it is necessary to pause and commemorate to re-emphasize an overarching and fundamental point.
On October 8th she would have blown out 23 candles. She was 22 years young, the average age of a Dutch WO student, when she was harshly arrested by Sharia police, after which she died. Her “crime:” she wore her headscarf “incorrectly;” her hair was visible. She did not commit a crime, but a heroic act, an act of humanity. Unfortunately, she is among the many on Earth who perished purely because of who they were: the Iranian Mahsa Amini.
To me, Mahsa is not just another victim or a passerby in the news who is forgotten over time. And although we have little in common and different backgrounds, I feel a strong connection to her. Is it because we were both born in 2000? Probably not. Is it due to my sense of justice? Perhaps. The connection lies in our humanity, or at least I firmly believe it does.
Mahsa performed an act that we constantly see happen in our environment every day. An act that is the most normal thing in the world: showing your hair. But for her and millions of other women, this was and is an act for which they must fear their lives. Yet she did it, and so did many after her. The rules have recently been tightened with additional camera surveillance and increased prison sentences of up to 15 years, but women in Iran are venturing out onto the streets without headgear more than ever. Hope, courage, and strength. This is what Mahsa left behind.
This concerns all of us, wherever we are in the world, no matter who the victims are, even if we are among those who have gained many rights. Nothing is immutable.
She will no longer blow out birthday candles. But from above, she spreads hope and courage to the world every day, especially to the women of Iran.
Mahsa, you continue to live on in people’s minds. It is up to all of us to continue to highlight this and to cherish your path. The path of women, life, freedom.
