(EN) Book-review: In the Name of Honor" by Mukhtar Mai

The Book

Mukhtar Mai's autobiography "In the Name of Honor" was lying between old crime novels at the flea market. Two euros. I took it home and read it immediately. A story that haunted me for weeks.

What's it about? 2002, Pakistan, village of Meerwala: Mukhtar Mai is gang-raped on orders of the tribal council – as "revenge" for an alleged offense by her twelve-year-old brother.

The Story of an Incredible Woman

Mukhtar was lucky – if you can call it that. Although she was expected to commit suicide, her mother prevented her from doing so. Her father even supported her when she decided to make her "shame" public. Despite massive pressure and death threats from police and the hostile clan.

By chance, her fate was picked up by the press – internationally too. That's probably why the case wasn't covered up, as is usually the case.

The Book and Mai's Character

Origins: Published in 2006, co-authored with French journalist Marie-Thérèse Cuny. Translated into 23 languages, a bestseller in France.

Mai is deeply rooted in her culture and faith. She can distinguish between her religion and the way it's "interpreted." She's not entirely objective in this – which makes her human.

She has no kind words for the daughter of the hostile clan, who apparently was originally responsible for the entire disaster due to her "shameless" behavior. I wonder: Would Mukhtar Mai admit this woman to her center for persecuted women if she were cast out by her family?

The Legal Battle Through 2005

2002: Six men sentenced to death
2005: Lahore High Court acquits five – "insufficient evidence"

Status as of 2005: Mai and her family face massive death threats. She's denied permission to travel to two conferences, and her passport is temporarily confiscated. The Pakistani government fears she might speak negatively about their country.

Still, she's not prepared to leave her homeland entirely. She continues living within sight of the more powerful hostile clan, facing daily threats, and carries on with her projects.

What Mukhtar Mai Made of It

Compensation: 500,000 rupees (about $8,300). From this money, she built schools. Today, over 1,300 children study in her educational institutions – both girls and boys.

What Happened After?

After reading, I became curious: What happened next? Things went quiet around Mai.

2011: Supreme Court upholds most acquittals
2019: Final appeal petition rejected

Outcome: Of six death sentences, only one remained as life imprisonment. Only Abdul Khaliq is still incarcerated. Thirteen of the originally fourteen defendants are free.

Is Ms. Mai Still Alive?

Is she still alive? I don't know. The website is still active, but hasn't been updated in a long time.

My Verdict

"In the Name of Honor" is a testament. Mai's language is direct, unvarnished. Authentic and compelling.

A clear reading recommendation.

And my question remains: Is Ms. Mai still alive?

Rating: 5/5 stars

"In the Name of Honor" by Mukhtar Mai, published 2006