By Faisal Al-Silmy
Okaz/Saudi Gazette
MAKKAH — The victim of the public assault thanked Makkah Emir Khaled Al-Faisal for ensuring justice for her.
A video that showed a man physically assaulting a woman in one of the markets in Makkah caused an uproar on social media. Prince Khaled reacted to the video by issuing an official order to track down the assailant and prosecute him.
Saidah Mijrashi said she was very happy and honored to know that the emir personally intervened in defending her rights.
“I was selling food to visitors in the market near the Grand Mosque to support my three siblings, who have no one else to take care of. My brother has impaired vision and he can’t even find the way. My siblings only have me to support them, especially after my elder brother went to prison,” said Mijrashi.
She said she chose to work and make a living rather than go to the streets begging.
“On the day I was attacked, I showed up at my usual spot like every day and began selling my products. I gave a bag of beans to one of the customers but he did not like it for some reason. He made a big deal out of it and wanted me removed from the market,” said Mijrashi.
"I clarified to the man that the market is an open one where everyone has the right to be. He slapped me very hard and I was shocked. I tried to defend myself but he slapped me again and again. I fell to the ground by the force of his assault. No one came to my help. None of the men walking around even bothered to check if I was fine,” said Mijrashi.
She said many people saw the assault happening in front of them but no one reacted.
“No one stepped in to defend me. I felt humiliated and degraded. I never came back to the market after that incident. I didn’t want to face the people. I didn’t want to come in contact with anything that could remind me of the incident,” said Mijrashi.
She said she suffered from psychological trauma after the assault.
“The only thing that boosted my dignity and self-confidence again is the order of the emir of Makkah. After hearing his intervention, I felt comfortable being a woman. His action reassured me that I will be protected in this country,” said Mijrashi.
Jibran Mijrashi, Saidah›s brother, said he was ever grateful to the emir's stance in dignifying his sister.
Ubaid Al-Thubaiti, a witness, said people did not want to interfere because the assailant was notorious for his aggressive behavior.
“No one wanted to get into a fight with him. We all believe he is mentally ill. He had assaulted many other vendors in the market,” said Al-Thubaiti.
