Case of Noor

Muqaddam
By Amna Riaz
Reg # 2217137
 THE CASE OF NOOR MUQADAM
In July 2021, Pakistan was rocked by the brutal murder of Noor Mukadam, a 27-
year-old woman from Islamabad, daughter of a former diplomat. The case
garnered national attention due to its horrifying nature and shed light on the
pervasive issue of violence against women in the country.

Noor Mukadam's tragic story began when she was held captive for two days in
an upscale neighbourhood of Islamabad. During this time, she was subjected to
brutal torture, including assault with a knuckleduster, and ultimately met a
gruesome end through decapitation with a knife. Reports later revealed that she
had also been sexually assaulted before her murder.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The primary suspect in the case was identified as 27-year-old Zahir Jaffer, the
son of a prominent businessman. He was arrested at the scene of the crime and
taken into police custody. Investigations revealed that the murder was
premeditated, as Jaffer confessed to police that he intended to kill Noor if she
refused his marriage proposal.

As the case unfolded, several shocking details emerged, implicating not only
Jaffer but also his parents and household staff in hiding evidence and complicity.
It was reported that Noor had made multiple attempts to escape, but the
household staff prevented her from leaving.

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 The legal proceedings that followed were closely watched by the public. Court
hearings were marked by emotional testimonies and demands for justice from
Noor's family and friends. Bail pleas filed by Jaffer's parents were rejected, and
they were ordered to remain in jail until the trial's completion.

PUBLIC REACTION
The trial itself was a highly charged affair, with the prosecution presenting
compelling evidence against the accused. This included CCTV footage capturing
the events leading up to Noor's murder and forensic reports confirming Jaffer's
involvement. Despite attempts by the defence to discredit the evidence, the court
ultimately found Jaffer guilty and sentenced him to death for the murder of Noor
Mukadam.

The case sparked widespread outrage and renewed calls for action to address the
pervasive issue of gender-based violence in Pakistan. It served as a stark
reminder of the urgent need for societal change to ensure the safety and rights
of women and girls across the country.

ANLAYSIS OF THE CASE

ADRIAN RICH
Adrienne Rich, renowned feminist thinker and poet, would offer a penetrating
analysis of the case of Noor Mukadam through the lens of her feminist theories.
Rich's examination would delve into the structural inequalities, patriarchal
norms, and power dynamics that underpin gender-based violence in societies like
Pakistan.

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 Rich would emphasize the concept of compulsory heterosexuality and its role
in shaping the lives of women like Noor Mukadam. She would argue that
patriarchal expectations around femininity and womanhood constrain women's
autonomy and agency, leaving them vulnerable to violence and exploitation.

Drawing on her concept of the "lesbian continuum," Rich would explore how
women's relationships and connections with each other serve as sites of
resistance and solidarity in the face of oppression. In the case of Noor Mukadam,
Rich would highlight the importance of women supporting and advocating for
each other to challenge the patriarchal structures that perpetuate violence
against them.

Rich's analysis would also focus on the intersections of gender, class, and
sexuality in understanding Noor Mukadam's murder. She would critique the
ways in which patriarchal norms intersect with other forms of oppression to
exacerbate women's vulnerability to violence, particularly for those from
marginalized communities.

Additionally, Rich's theories on motherhood and maternal thinking would

prompt her to examine the ways in which societal expectations around
caregiving and nurturing contribute to women's subjugation. She would argue
that the devaluation of women's labor, both within the home and in society at
large, reinforces their subordinate status and makes them more susceptible to
violence and exploitation.

Overall, Rich's analysis of the case of Noor Mukadam would provide a

comprehensive understanding of the structural inequalities and power
dynamics that shape women's experiences of violence in patriarchal societies
like Pakistan. She would call for collective action to challenge and dismantle
these oppressive systems, advocating for a world where all women can live free
from fear and violence.

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 SHULAMIDTH FIRESTONE

If Shulamith Firestone were to analyze the case of Noor Mukadam, she would
likely approach it through the lens of her feminist theories, particularly focusing
on the dynamics of gender and power within patriarchal societies like Pakistan.

Firestone's seminal work, "The Dialectic of Sex," explores the ways in which
biological differences between sexes have been used to justify and perpetuate
systems of oppression and inequality. In the case of Noor Mukadam, Firestone
would highlight how traditional gender roles and expectations contributed to
her victimization. She would argue that patriarchal norms, which dictate men's
entitlement and control over women's bodies, played a significant role in
enabling the violence perpetrated against her.

Firestone would also examine the intersectionality of gender with other forms
of oppression, such as class and nationality. As the daughter of a former
diplomat, Noor occupied a privileged position in Pakistani society, yet her
gender still rendered her vulnerable to violence. Firestone would emphasize the
importance of understanding how multiple axes of oppression intersect to
shape individuals' experiences and opportunities within society.

Moreover, Firestone's critique of the nuclear family and its role in perpetuating
gender inequality would lead her to explore the familial dynamics at play in
Noor Mukadam's case. She would argue that the patriarchal family structure,
which prioritizes male authority and control, creates conditions conducive to
domestic violence and abuse. Firestone would highlight the complicity of
Jaffer's parents and household staff in enabling his actions, underscoring how
familial relationships can perpetuate systems of oppression.

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 In terms of legal and institutional responses, Firestone would likely critique the
limitations of existing systems in addressing gender-based violence. She would
advocate for radical changes to legal frameworks and social structures to better
protect women's rights and hold perpetrators of violence accountable. Firestone
would emphasize the need for comprehensive reforms that challenge the root
causes of gender inequality and dismantle patriarchal systems of power.

Overall, Firestone's analysis of the case of Noor Mukadam would provide

valuable insights into the ways in which gender dynamics intersect with broader
social structures to perpetuate violence and oppression. She would underscore
the urgency of challenging patriarchal norms and advocating for transformative
social change to ensure the safety and equality of all individuals, regardless of
gender.

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