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Afghan woman activist subject of stinging criticism on FB

Afghan woman activist subject of stinging criticism on FB

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14 May 2018 - 13:36
Afghan woman activist subject of stinging criticism on FB
author avatar
14 May 2018 - 13:36

NEW DELHI (Pajhwok): Dewa Nizai, an Afghan woman who has returned from India after five years and plans to runs for a Wolesi Jirga seat, has been the subject of public denunciation.

In the name of a Facebook campaign to denounce violence against women, Niazi has allegedly shared posts against Islam and Afghan traditions in India.

Determined to marry a man of her choice, Niazi had gone to India due to violence from her family. In New Delhi, the Indian capital, she tied the knot with Asad Mukhlis at the Nizamuddin Aulia shrine.

She conducted a long campaign on Facebook to protect the rights of Afghan women. Most of her posts denounced child marriage, domestic violence against women and patriarchy.

Some days back, she returned to her native eastern province of Nangarhar. The woman is said to be preparing for Wolesi Jirga elections, due in October this year.

Before returning to her homeland, she wrote on her Facebook page: “My land is a land of flowers.” But later on, she became the subject of a heated debate in the social media.

Mohammad Shoaib, a Facebook user, wrote: “Petty the people who went to welcome her at the airport. You gain nothing by just defaming eastern Afghanistan. We know Dewa inside out. There is no place for her in Nangarhar.”

Some other social media users got screen shots of Niazi’s posts against Islamic teachings and Afghani values. She is originally from Laghman province but lived in Nangarhar. Her husband also hails from Nangarhar.

She is likely to run for Wolesi Jirga elections from Nangarhar, as her husband has already hinted at her candidacy.

Abdullah Sahar, a civil society activist and journalist from Nangarhar, shared her photo with a long text on his Facebook wall. “O, God! Now she will be my representative. She has brazenly insulted Prophet Hazrat Muhammad Mustafa (PBUH).”

Habib Ashna wrote: “Dewa Niazi has not been complicit in killings or civil war. She hasn’t issue a fatwa against anyone. I expect all women to support her.”

Another civil society activist expressed a similar view. Abdullah Hood characterized her as a moderate Muslim woman of merit. “Additionally, she is qualified to contest the parliamentary elections.”

Khushal Khalil said about women’s role in social media: “On freedom of speech, we don’t have restrictions on women. Difficulties for them are largely rooted in our culture.”

Khalil remarked: “Unfortunately, very few girls used their real names while campaigning on Facebook. And they too are living as refugees in foreign countries.”

In response, Nizai said: “While having critics, I also have many supporters. I am annoyed by misplaced criticism, but not pay so much attention to hostile remarks. My struggle will continue.”

She vehemently denied ridiculing Islam, saying she was ready to answer her critics. “Fake accounts had been created to post and attribute profane things to me.”

sa/mud

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