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Zakia Zeba Abidi: Gentle, generous & brilliant feminist scholar 1930s - January 28 2008 |
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 Pakistan March 27, 2008
IN MEMORIUM: Death of a scholarYasmin Mustafa writes about the death of an exceptional woman who defied the established norms of the traditional society
This is the story of a prominent woman of our era who lived an unbelievably courageous and unconventional life till the ripe age of mid-70s. It is the tale of the great aspirations and rare intellectualism of a person who had multidimensional qualities. However, her death was tragic and terrible (Read details HERE).
This is about the late Professor Zakia Zeba who was mercilessly murdered by some unknown killers in her house. To add insult to the injury, her face was totally disfigured by acid to hide the crime. Her body was discovered and buried by the Edhi Foundation and meanwhile her sister and niece were desperately looking for her all over the place.
Prof Zeba was another victim of terrorism and petty crimes in our society. The culprits are fearless and bold as the law enforcement agencies have failed to perform their duties and protect the hapless citizens.
The heartrending death of Professsor Zeba shocked many, but the murder remains a mystery till this day. Nearly two months have been passed but the investigation agencies are still groping in the dark and are unable to bring the culprits to book.
Dr Zeba had done her doctorate from Paris University. She was the first Pakistani woman to be awarded a foreign scholarship. Apart from her academic duties she was actively engaged in the sphere of administration as well. She had served as a Director of European Study Centre of Karachi University where she worked hard to create and sustain a congenial working atmosphere.
She was also nominated as Assistant Director of Political Science Affairs at The Islamic Secretariat Jeddah, but she decided not to avail this opportunity as strict rules never suited her style. Having full command on the French language and literature she translated a number of research papers in that language and remained with the national committee for curriculum (foreign languages) from 1978 to 1982.
Professor Zeba being a brilliant academician also obtained DES (Higher Studies Degree) in constitutional law and qualified for DES in the administrative science from Sorbonne, Paris, in 1964. Apart from French she was regarded as an authority on several other languages as well. She also worked as assistant professor of French at Quaid i Azam University.
She belonged to a literary and cultured family of Lucknow, and had a soft corner for everyone. However, her gentleness and generosity was misunderstood and eventually took her life in a tortuous manner.
A single woman’s life is neither secure nor peaceful in our part of the world. Even an educated and independent woman like Dr Zeba was an easy target of harassment and torture and was not secure in her own home. Her murder mystery is an eye opener for those who rely too much on the domestic help.
Dr Zeba had always strongly favoured women’s freedom and rights and would never have dreamed about the pains and agonies which her body and soul suffered. On many occasions, she claimed that she was an ‘unconventional woman’ and did not care for the societal norms.
It is a sad reflection on our society that we repay our heroes and heroines with violence and murder.
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