After spending nine years in prison a 29-year-old widow prepares for her flight back to India tomorrow. A flight she knows is a liberation from a nightmare she longs to forget.
Fatima Begum Abdul Qayem will fly home from Sharjah by an Indian Airlines flight to Hyderabad.
"The very thought of being able to walk free is so peaceful. I have no clue what fate awaits me, but I am thankful to all those people who have made my freedom possible," said Fatima.
The Ras Al Khaimah Sharia Court had sentenced her to death for the premeditated murder of her 80-year-old husband.
The Sharia Appeal Court upheld the verdict. Sources said she felt neglected by her husband and had murdered him. She had confessed in court.
She was given a new lease of life when the victim's family gave up their right to demand capital punishment in a signed agreement at the public prosecutor's office.
She is now at Al Maamoura Women's Prison in Ras Al Khaimah. The Indian Association Ras Al Khaimah negotiated with the victim's family and settled the Dh70,000 diya or blood money, down from Dh150,000.
Fatima's mother Malan Bi said she is happy that her daughter will be free, but is apprehensive as to who will take care of her.
Speaking to Gulf News from Hyderabad over the phone she said: "Children are never a burden on their parents no matter how old they are.
"I am happy that my daughter is coming home, so are other members of the family. I am dependent on my son who has six children. He works as a mason and the whole family depends on him.
"My husband died three years ago. He was a rickshaw puller. After his death the family sold off his rickshaw for Rs200 (Dh18). We were that desperate.
"Fatima was married when she was 15. Her father fixed her marriage to the elderly man. Fatima used to send us money after she went to live with her husband in the UAE.
"It was her friends in the UAE who informed me that she had killed her husband and been put in jail."
Sainul Abdeen Saleem, President of the Indian Association, Ras Al Khaimah, said: "We appreciate the humanitarian gesture shown by the victim's family. They agreed to the diya of Dh70,000 that has already been paid to them.
"Her case came to us two years ago and we started the negotiations with the victims' family to reduce the diya. All the paper work has been completed and she will finally be able to go home to her family.
"The association also assured Fatima that she can contact us if she needs any kind of help. We will follow up her case.
"The association will provide her with some money. People who want to make contributions can get in touch with the association."
"The very thought of being able to walk free is so peaceful. I have no clue what fate awaits me, but I am thankful to all those people who have made my freedom possible."
Gulf News
