Seeking serenity

A series of arched entranceways, Cathedral de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.

Today I am hoping for calm, peace, safety and justice and reason. Please spare a few moments for Fatima's story and view her extraordinary photographs.

Comments

[Tara Bradford]

Lisa, thank you. Yes, Fatima is very brave. I expect her great courage will inspire other women struggling to find their voice.

[lisa & Alfie at The Pickled Hutch]

This photo took my breath away, her story brought it back. Amazingly brave woman.
Lisa & Alfie

[Tara Bradford]

Susanna, thank you so much. I echo your good wishes for Fatima's new life and family of friends.

[Tara Bradford]

The reason we don't hear many of these stories is that they are suppressed by the families; by the culture. Raising awareness - as Fatima has so bravely done in telling her story - is key to helping change the way women are treated and viewed.

[susanna's sketchbook]

So sad, so very sad. I wish Fatima the best in her new life in the United States. I hope she gathers to her a new family of friends who will always love and protect her.

Tara, you write such meaningful posts.

[tangobaby]

Fatima's story and the article in the Independent about the honour killings just made my stomach drop out of me. I truly cannot understand how these things happen. Although I guess raising awareness is the first step. Thank you for these links.

[Tara Bradford]

And so it has always been. Recently I read a longtime friend's stories of growing up in No Ireland and the things he endured - basically abandoned by his mother; surviving by his wits - were horrific and today would be considered child abuse.

[Tara Bradford]

Terri, thank you. I hope many, many people in similar situations find a glimmer of hope in Fatima's story, that they may have the courage to break free.

[Di Overton]

What a wicked world we live in.

[tinker]

Thank you for sharing Fatima's heartrending story and her beautiful photos. I'm so glad she was able to break free from such abuse - but how very sad for, who knows how many? - others, in similar situations - I especially hope her sisters are safe...

[Melinda]

Just making soup...soup is a reminder of our humanity. Just the simpleness of making soup tells the world that we will not be defeated. Women have always done what needed to be done in the face of adversity.- Melinda Hamilton Hunter born in Alabama US

[Tara Bradford]

Relyn, if there's anything good to come from Fatima's experiences, it's her freedom and her photography. And of course, by Fatima sharing her story, she's helped women in similar situations realise they're not alone; that help is available.

[Tara Bradford]

Thanks, Steph. Aren't Fatima's photos beautiful??!!

[Tara Bradford]

Susie, I appreciate your comments. Thank you for sharing some information about your organisation. I'm always heartened to hear that these issues are being addressed, as sadly, Fatima's plight is not unique. But if we keep shining a beacon on stories like Fatima's - no matter where these women may live - perhaps we can offer some measure of hope to those who have been too fearful to risk flight.

[Tara Bradford]

Marilyn, thank you so much. Fatima's story is not unique, sadly. For every Fatima who finds her way out of such a situation, there are hundreds more too frightened to leave. Fatima's photographic skills appear to have been a godsend, giving her hope for a better life. I expect her talent will serve her in good stead.

[Tara Bradford]

Absolutely, Ruth. The more painful the story, the more necessary to share, so that we might help others avoid similar fates...

[Tara Bradford]

Isn't it great to see someone pick themselves up and escape from a horrible situation? It's not the first instance I've heard about when someone picks up a camera in the midst of trauma and finds some form of life-preserver. xo

[Tara Bradford]

It is heart-breaking. I know a few examples of honour killings in the Middle East; not all the people who participate are poor and uneducated. It boggles the mind that they would put their family's reputation over the welfare of their daughter or sister.

As for your comments about my blog, I am really touched. Thank you.

[Tara Bradford]

Fatima is very courageous and I echo your sentiments.

[Tara Bradford]

Sadly, honour killings have been part of the culture in Turkey and much of the Middle East for a very long time. And many, many women in the region are in danger because of traditional, conservative segments of society mostly poor, uneducated people who worry only about their "honour" and care nothing for their offspring or their sisters. Thankfully, in many of these countries, there are organisations designed to help these women. But all too often, women fall victim to their tribe's warped sense of justice. Alas, love has nothing to do with it. xoxox

[Tara Bradford]

Yes, isn't she brave! It's a wonderful thing that photography helped her find her way through the fear. xo

[Tara Bradford]

Thank you, Rosemary. Little by little, step by step... xo

[Relyn]

Thank you for pointing me to Fatima's powerful story. Her's is such a heart breaking story. One I know is repeated again and again. It makes me ache to help somehow.

And, oh! Her talent.

[stephanie]

Tara, such a powerful, enightening post. Fatima's photographs are just stunning.

[susie q]

Thank you Tara for sharing this story. I stopped and prayed for Fatima. That she can continue to know freedom and can continue healing. Her beautiful talent for photography are her wings to her better life.

I am part of Freedom Cry Atlanta, a new organization to help stop child sex slavery. At this point we've been learning about the issue and how overwhelmingly large it is. Fatima's story takes place throughout the world. By sharing it with us, Fatima brings light to the issue and now we can face it and do something (even if very very very small) to act in our own way against it.

[Marilyn]

Tara,
You always help to open my eyes and see beyond my little world. Thank you so much. There is so much sadness in other parts of the world. I must learn to be more open to that sadness around me also. The honour killings brought back the memories of the book I recently read, A Thousand Splendid Suns. My heart is heavy for these women and people suffering.
Fatima's story also touched me. Her photographing is amazing.

[Ruth]

There are depths of pain I know nothing of. That's why we each must tell our story.

[karen cole]

What an amazing photo essay, Tara.

It looks like you are taking a much needed break today. It makes me happy. Hope you are smiling somewhere.

[somepinkflowers]

you never fail me.

never.

i always come away with something held in my heart
for further study
for further prayer
for further appreciation.

always.

today at first click i saw a familiar
and much loved place in your featured photo.
then i followed your links.

oh my god.

honour killings??? honour killings???
i cannot stand it.
my heart crys at the choice a young one must make:
1--education
or
2--death
????

i cannot stand it................

[MiddleAgedWomanBlogging]

Spectacular photo!

I watched the video... such a horrific story told so beautifully. I pray Fatima's dreams come true, for she has a wondrous heart and soul.

[Gillian daSilva]

The image you posted, LOVE! I love it xo
The links, wonderful. I couldn't view the Pakistan bombing one, I didn't have the stomach for it. Sadly.
But the others were intriguing, the Turkish women. Oh man! Terrible to put honour above love. Is there any such thing as love for these women? Or is it all about how things "look".
xoxo

[Christina]

Fatima is a brave soul! Such beautiful images.
xo

[Rosa]

Beautiful photo. I hope you find all you are looking for. xo

[Tara Bradford]

Sadly, there are hundreds like her, whose stories remain untold. But hopefully, women like Fatima will give other women courage to speak their truths and get the help they need.

[Tara Bradford]

Helen, I am a fan of Saint-Exupery. This particular cathedral impressed me because of its many arched doorways opening one onto the other - it seemed welcoming, rather than oppressive. And yes, sometimes making soup is the best way to move forward, when all about us seems rather chaotic.

[Tara Bradford]

Zoe, thank you for linking to Fatima's story and for helping other women in need.

[Helen]

"We say nothing essential about the cathedral when we speak of its stones. We say nothing essential about man when we seek to define him by the qualities of men..."
Antoine de Saint-Exupery

I think we must build cathedrals in our own hearts when there is so much injustice going.

As I was cooking this afternoon, I thought to myself "there are wars going on...and I am making soup."

Perhaps it has always been this way, but one would like to think that we humankind would or could change.

[Zoe]

Thank you so much for sharing this story. Fatima, like so many other women, are so often exploited. It is small but delicious miracle that photography helped her through some of the darkest days.

I am going to post a similar piece on my blog as just today I was asked to donate funds for woman in similar situations across the globe.

[judith]

Thanks for sharing Fatima's story .. . she's a remarkable photographer and
a remarkable young woman.

Jjj