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Trigger Warning: This article contains mentions of abuse and violence that may be distressing to some readers.

Today we want to talk about Dr. Aafia Siddiqui’s — a name synonymous with resilience, tragedy, and the glaring injustices of our times.

A brilliant Pakistani neuroscientist with an MIT degree, a Brandeis PhD, and a vision to revolutionize education in the developing world, Aafia was a beacon of hope.

Today, she languishes in a U.S. prison, stripped of her freedom, humanity, and dignity.

This is her story—a tale of unspeakable suffering, systemic failure, and a mother’s endless endurance.

The Journey of Injustice

In 2003, Aafia Siddiqui and her three children—Ahmed, Mariam, and baby Suleman (6 months)—vanished while traveling to Islamabad.

It would take five agonizing years before her name resurfaced.

She was later identified as the only female detainee at Bagram Detention Center, known as “Prisoner 650.”

Witnesses reported hearing her cries of agony during her imprisonment—an abuse the U.S. initially denied before admitting her presence in Bagram.

Her children were separated from her in unimaginable ways:

Ahmed, just five years old, was imprisoned in Kabul, tortured, and forced to change his name under the threat of death.

Mariam, aged three, was sent to live with a Christian family in Afghanistan for seven years, stripped of her identity and faith.

Baby Suleman’s fate is perhaps the cruelest—killed during the abduction, allegedly dropped on his head.

A Flawed and Closed Trial

Aafia was eventually transferred to the United States in 2008 under circumstances riddled with contradictions and human rights violations.

Despite being isolated and disoriented in Bagram Prison—one of the most secure facilities in the world—the official narrative claims that Dr. Aafia Siddiqui somehow obtained a weapon and launched an attack on heavily armed soldiers.

Yet forensic evidence found no gunpowder residue on her hands or clothing.

Witness testimonies, too, contradicted the narrative.

Despite the lack of credible evidence, she was sentenced to an unthinkable 86 years in prison.

Ongoing Abuse and Isolation

Dr. Siddiqui has been held at FMC Carswell in Texas under Administrative Segregation for 14 years—longer than any other woman in the U.S. federal system.

Grave allegations of abuse, including sexual assault, have marked her time in isolation.

These heinous violations of basic human dignity highlight the systemic failures in protecting the vulnerable.

Adding to her suffering, Dr. Siddiqui has been denied meaningful medical care despite suffering from severe Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder resulting from years of torture and isolation.

Even her spiritual needs have been disregarded; repeated requests for visits from religious figures like Imam Omar Suleiman have been ignored.

A Call for Justice

Dr. Siddiqui’s plight is a grave reminder of the consequences of unchecked power and systemic injustice.

Her treatment is not only a violation of her rights but also a stain on the integrity of the institutions that perpetuate her suffering.

What can we do?

• Spread Awareness: Share Dr. Siddiqui’s story to ensure her suffering is not forgotten.

• Demand Justice: Urge leaders and organizations to investigate and address the violations against her.

Closing Thoughts

Despite years of isolation, abuse, and neglect, her faith remains unshaken.

Even in her sentencing, Aafia pleaded: “I want no violence done in my name.”

Her humanity remains intact despite the dehumanization she has endured.

Her story is a haunting reminder of the cost of injustice but also the resilience of the Muslim spirit.

Let us honor her sacrifices by demanding accountability and advocating for her release.

Please sign the petition urging President Biden to take action and secure Dr. Aafia Siddiqui’s freedom before the end of his term.

Together, we can amplify her voice and demand justice.