Fierce Muslim Women

Friends,

I haven't seen my mom since last Thanksgiving. I didn't think I'd be missing her so much, especially since our relationship has grown distant in the last few years. Next week I'll be visiting her and am looking forward to reconnecting with a brave woman who has endured much pain and sorrow in her life.

In honor of my mom, a fierce Muslim woman, I'm going to occasionally post a profile of Muslim women from around the world that are making a difference in our world. Whether they are sports champions or political leaders, these women are opening doors, each and every day to build communities where women's equality and gender equity are valued commodities that must be protected and cherished.

Bravo to these heroines!


Cut Nur Asyikin - Pro-Independence Leader in Aceh

Cut Nur Asyikin was known as the "Lion of Aceh." As a charismatic and fearless pro-independence leader she fought for women's empowerment and was involved in many activities to support the campaign for a referendum in Aceh.

As a political activist Cut Nur risked losing her marriage and her family. Eventually her marriage ended and her children fled Aceh to seek asylum in the United States. She stayed behind to continue support for an independent Aceh. In 2003 after an Indonesian military crackdown, she was arrested nd sentenced to prison for 11 years.

A wonderful tribute was written on Salon.com by a reporter who had the privilege of meeting Cut Nur and spending some time with her to learn about her life and her struggles.

A short excerpt from the article:

Arrested, tried and found guilty of treason, Cut Nur remained defiant and unapologetic. When the judge sentenced her to 11 years of imprisonment, she turned to the crowd and waiting journalists and said, "Thank God, long live Aceh, dissolve Indonesia." Even a jail cell couldn't silence Cut Nur. She took advantage of a lax prison system to obtain a cellphone and sent out text messages chronicling clashes and casualties to exiled activists. "It was really funny," Zainal recalls. "She was encouraging us, even from the jail." Recently, she even began planning her own birthday party. Her daughter, with her own two toddlers plus Cut Nur's sisters, nieces and nephews, were to bring a rich Acehnese goat curry, enough to feed her fellow inmates. The feast, planned for Dec. 27, never took place -- Cut Nur died a day before her 50th birthday.

Cut Nur fought until the very end. Her life came to an abrupt and sudden end one day before her 50th birthday. In 2004 Cut Nur Asyikin perished in the tsunami that devastated Aceh and much of Southeast Asia.

May the Divine bless her soul and keep her in peace and tranquility. Aamin