by: DARIELLA HERNANDEZ/Editorial Assistant
Farkhunda Malikzada was a 27-year-old Muslim woman falsely accused of burning a Quran and later killed while crowds gathered to watch.
On March 19, 2015, Malikzada was brutally beaten in Kabul, Afghanistan and set on fire by a mob of men while the police and civilians failed to stand up for her. Young boys, as well as older men, begged the police to let them have Malikzada to themselves so they could kill her as they pleased.
These days people, are afraid to stand up for others. Kids are bullied without anybody there to help, only to watch. People have stood by and watched as a robbery went on without any interference. In extreme cases, people have stood back and watched as someone was being assaulted, and even murdered. Many would rather get it on camera to share with their online friends instead of helping the victim, like in Malikzada’s case.
Many bystanders caught Malikzada’s murder on camera, which was only one of the problems. As Malikzada was being questioned about an act she did not commit, men were shouting in the background, “Bring her out! Give her to us!”
After some minutes of shouting back and forth, the police finally began to make a move toward Malikzada’s safety. They began escorting her out of the crowd, but the crowd of angry men was too much for the two policemen. Mobs of men began beating Malikzada and dragging her to the ground as the police watched.
The policemen tried taking Malikzada and lifting her on top of a roof. But just as it seemed as if there was hope left for Malikzada, she fell on to the raging crowd.
Once Malikzada reached the ground, the police gave up. In a matter of minutes, Malikzada was beaten and set on fire. Sadly, no ambulance arrived and the policemen stayed back. Her remains were there for everyone to see.
In Malikzada’s case, she was in a male-dominant country, which might have made it worse. Even if the country is male dominant, female dominant or gender neutral, the bystanders would rather take pictures of what is going on, rather than show some bravery.
It is understandable that one might fear for his or her own safety. But something as simple as calling the police, or an authority figure, in other cases, could bring safety to the victim as well as the environment.
We have been so tuned into media and getting views, likes and shares that we fail to notice that there are actual human beings being hurt. Not only are they suffering, but they also are being surrounded by a great number of people and still feeling helpless. That should not be a feeling anybody should have while being victimized.
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