"I found my life's purpose after being stabbed": Khadija
Siddiqi had been stabbed 23 times by her class fellow leaving her critically wounded.Photo:herselfpk
In May 2016, Khadija Siddiqi, then 21 years old, had gone to pick up her six-year-old sister from school when she was brutally attacked by her class fellow, Shah Hussain.
The man stabbed her 23 times causing critical injuries. Siddiqi received over 200 stitches.
A case was filed in the Lahore High Court following which, after a year long struggle to put the man behind bars, the judge gave a verdict sentencing him to 7 years in prison.
During the course of her case and widespread media coverage, she became the symbol for those struggling for justice in Pakistan. Many human rights activists have termed the case as one that will go down in history to be remembered as the time when a woman fought until she got justice.
At a recent conducted in Lahore by ‘Herself’ - an initiative of Punjab Information Technology Board for women, Khadija Siddiqi narrated her struggle. Director of Entrepreneurship at Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) Nabeel A. Qadeer moderated the discussion.
Khadija Siddiqi and Nabeel A. Qadeer during the event. Photo: herselfpk
“I used to feel that there is something bigger that needs to be achieved in life. I found the purpose after the incident, which is to help people around us, not with the intention to please others but to please God.”
Speaking about her childhood, Siddiqi said she was a very naughty child, and has always loved life, especially because of being closer to her loved ones.
Siddiqi seems to draw much inspiration from her religion. To a question on what inspired her before the traumatic incident, ‘when she was an ordinary Pakistani girl’, Siddiqi said: “I would read stories from Prophet’s (PBUH) life and also the stories of his disciples…they were always motivational and inspiring for me.”
As to how she dealt with the trauma, Siddiqi said from being attacked, living through the pain to coming back to her senses, she experienced death so closely that she thought she might never get a second chance to live. “During that time in the hospital, I was unable to move. There came a time when I started crying and begged my mother to take me to the examination hall since I missed my exams.”
“I was constantly praying during that pain, while drugged with pain killers. And in that state of helplessness, I thought that we are ungrateful. We rely on materialistic things and I realised that there is just one chance in life. I prayed to Allah to give me one more chance.”
And second chance she did get.
Siddiqi spoke of how her family was the biggest support during the hard times. “We need to work on our inner self. People ask me how many psychologists have you consulted after going through such a big trauma? I tell them that I have a strong support system, and I seek help from Allah.”
With her case stirring a huge debate on social media, she said many, including women, were against her stance when she raised her voice against the brutal attack.
“They would say we want to know the other side of the story,” she recalled. But for Siddiqi there was support from various quarters, especially from men.
Speaking on her support from Tehmina Durrani, Siddiqi was all praise for the writer and activist. “She’s a tigress and an inspiration for me.” Siddiqi met Durrani at a vigil held in Lahore for a burn victim Fakhra Younus. “She was very protective of me…and through the help of the government she ensured the provision of guards for my protection during the time when I was giving my examination.”
Siddiqi also took to pointing towards a discriminatory attitude against women stating that they were paid less than their male counterparts.
“I wanted to become a lawyer for the prevalence of justice,” she recalled. “Jinnah was my role model. I wanted to make that kind of a status in the society.”
As for her future she would like to create a forum where everyone has access to legal aide. “I would want to help anyone in difficulty,” said the young motivatonal speaker.
But Siddiqi’s story is larger than the incident that has now come to shape a major part of her life. She speaks much of finding life’s purpose, something she has always believed in.
“Be confident in whatever you want to do. Find the purpose of life, break the barriers and you will reach your goals.”
Siddiqi receiving an honorary award presented by the members of Herselfpk. Photo: herselfpk
