Shame - IMANI HEKIMA

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Salam,

I was interested to listen to the song, my sister sarah, unsettled soul, posted in her blog.

this is what she said;

"UK artist’s debut single deals with honour crimes

UK based singer songwriter Imani Hekima has released his debut single, one with a serious and timely message. Entitled ‘Shame’, it addresses the devastating issue of honour killings, which have been brought increasingly into public focus in recent years.

Born and raised in the north of England, Hekima has developed a special penchant for socially aware songwriting. In the past two years, the video for his track ‘The Robots Rebellion’ has been featured on the website of David Icke and the Conscious Media Network respectively.

‘Shame’, which he wrote in 2008, has had an interesting journey. Originally telling the story of a woman whose life spirals into self destruction, its lyrical content (and title especially) also carries an uncanny double meaning, spookily relevant to honour crimes. So when he was approached earlier in 2010 to lend music to a video made by an anti-honour killings Facebook group, ‘Shame’ was the most obvious choice.

The video, which can be seen on Youtube, contains images of victims that are at times quite shocking. The track itself features suitably plaintive vocals and a moody soul/reggae slow jam that recalls Massive Attack. The feeling of lament is captured to a tee.

The song has received the endorsement of internationally renowned activist/journalist Houzan Mahmoud, who is the abroad representative of the Organisation of Women’s Freedom in Iraq (where honour crimes have actually risen dramatically since the UK/US invasion).

Imani said: ‘It’s unique and quite unexpected that ‘Shame’ has been adopted as part of the movement to eradicate honour crimes. It’s a subject that I’ve always felt strongly about and I hope the song can assist the cause.’

‘Shame’ is available as a download single on iTunes and Amazon. For more information, visit www.myspace.com/imanihekima www.equalityiniraq.com."

That intrigued me to watch the video; my heart sank so deep as i was watching the video. Because to be honest, i'm related to many of my family and my friends that had to suffer to these kind of prejudice. And what bring more pain was all of these claim that this is what God wants, in His name. Astaghfirullah alazim, if i would to sound judging, I don't know what is Haraam or Halal or at least i could not bring it to my point to have the right to say what is and what is not. I depended that instinct only through my experience, my guts and my heart. I go through that by learning from and through mistakes, by many trial and error in which i grow to believe, THAT learning is what is best for me. This is what 'holier than thou' action leads to...it leads to someone who is quick to give punishment, quick in taking back the time before forgiveness, quick to lost faith in everyone personal chance to make choices. And to most, they still havent got the chance to ask and understood why.

I could easily be someone's else daughter, or sister, or wife and to be treated that way, you could easily be someone's else daughter, or sister, or wife and be treated the same way in the video too...so, before it goes out of hand or too late, always Pray for Lord to protect you.

to those who still wave their flag in the Lord's name, don't let it be a shame...