By Hibret Selamu

Various websites have reported that Khadija Ibrahim Moussa, an Ethiopian woman, has been beheaded by the Saudi regime.

The report alleges that she was beheaded for killing an Egyptian after a dispute. However, no further information is given as to what prompted the Ethiopian woman to take such a drastic action. It is doubtful that an Ethiopian woman would resort to such an extreme measure without being provoked beyond limit by some strong and unusual humiliation. It could also be due to mental health problems. Because of the well known excessive suffering that female workers endure in Saudi Arabia, it is reasonable to speculate that Khadija’s case could be similar to that of another Ethiopian woman who was accused of murder caused by the excessive humiliation she suffered while working as a maid in Bahrain, a neighboring Arab country to Saudi Arabia.

Khadija’s beheading by the Saudi Wahabist regime is barbaric and an affront to humanity and a humiliating situation for Ethiopians, Christian or Moslem, as well as all people who believe in justice.

As if Saudi Arabia’s Wahabi interference in internal Ethiopian affairs (please see attached) were not enough, that country’s arrogant regime has pushed the envelope further by beheading an Ethiopian woman.

The blatant and shocking action committed by the Saudi regime is particularly sad especially when taken in the context that Ethiopia is a country that had given refuge to the forefathers of the Saudi’s when they were being persecuted for their religious faith.

Many questions arise surrounding this tragic case. Was the Ethiopian embassy informed about Khadija’s legal case and, if so, did it ensure that she was given a proper hearing? If not, what action, if anything, is the Ethiopian government which is supposed to look after the interests of its citizens, doing to demand Saudi Arabia’s explanation for this extremely disturbing and tragic case and possible restitution to her family?

Shouldn’t international human rights organizations such as Amnesty International be interested in this case and investigate the matter in detail?

What about Ethiopians in the diaspora, especially the Ethiopian community in Saudi Arabia? Should we be satisfied with merely expressing disgust at the barbaric action taken by a backward regime in Saudi Arabia?

Why is it that Ethiopian women and men are forced to leave their country and subject themselves to such anguish? Is it not because of the poor leadership that continues to sustain an abject poverty in a country that is known to have rich agricultural and water resources?

Who will cry for you, dear Khadija?

My deepest sympathies to her bereaved family and friends.