MONSTER
MEDUSA
M E D U S A Hidden by tracks, and through rocks bristling with shaggy trees, was the place where the Gorgons lived. In the fields and along the paths, here and there, stood the shapes of men and animals changed from their natures to hard stone by Medusa’s gaze.
STONE
TO
TURNED
Hidden by tracks and through rocks bristling with shaggy trees, was the place where the Gorgons lived. In the fields and along the paths, here and there, stood the shapes of men and animals changed from their natures to hard stone by Medusa’s gaze.
In the sleepy, Shiite village of al-Awwamiya on the outskirts of the eastern city of Qatif, the nineteen year-old is struggling to forget the spring night that changed her life.
HE STRUCK HER HEAD FROM HER NECK Perseus, nevertheless, had himself looked at the dread form of Medusa reflected in a circular shield of polished bronze that he carried on his left arm. And while a deep sleep held the snakes and herself, he struck her head from her neck.
“Slowly my husband started to know what had happened. Four months later, we started a case. My family heard about the case. My brother hit me and tried to kill me.�
“What you ask is worth the telling; listen and I will tell the tale. Her beauty was far-famed, the jealous aspiration of many a suitor, and of all her charms her hair was loveliest; so I was told by those who have claimed to have seen her�.
“I had never seen him before. I just knew his voice. He started to threaten me, and I got afraid. He threatened to tell my family about the relationship. Because of the threats and fear, I agreed to give him a photograph of myself,�
RAPED AND VIOLATED
She was violated in Athena’s shrine by Poseidon, raped by the Lord of the Sea and when found out, Zeus’ daughter turned away and covered with her shield her virgin’s eyes.
She was kidnapped and then raped by seven men. She was punished for being in a state of “khalwa” - retreat with a male who is not a relative. When she finally returned home, her mother answered the door and told her she ‘looked tired’.
RAPED AND VIOLATED
“I didn’t even feel anything after that.”
“I didn’t even feel anything after that.”
AND THEN, FOR FITTING PUNISHMENT, THE GODDESS ATHENA TRANSFORMED THE GORGON’S LOVELY HAIR INTO HUNDREDS OF LOATHSOME SNAKES WHICH LASHED AROUND HER HEAD.
AND THEN, FOR FITTING PUNISHMENT, THE SAUDI COURTS SENTENCED THE INNOCENT GIRL TO SIX MONTHS IN PRISON AND TWO HUNDRED LASHES.
and so that she could never meet a man’s gaze again, her sad and empty eyes would turn a man to stone at one glance. And so that she could never meet a man’s gaze again, her sad and empty eyes would turn a man to stone at one glance.
And today she lives under effective house arrest. Her hands tremble, her dark brown eyes are lifeless. She is forbidden to speak and may be taken into custody at any time.
Everyone looks at me as if I'm wrong. I couldn't even continue my studies. I wanted to die."
“I could no longer breathe”.