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Narisa 2
By: C. Stanton Leman
Prologue
On Wednesday, August 29th, 2000, there were tearful and sad
goodbyes as
the Williams family waited to board the aircraft that would take them from
Tehran back home to the U.S. and begin a new life. Narisa's heartfelt and
sad farewell to her family, a family she'd never see again was especially
painful to witness.
It was especially painful for all in the Williams family to watch
as Narisa
sobbed in her mother's arms crying, "Oh, Momma, I love you so much and
my heart is breaking! What am I going to do? How will I ever make it
without you! You are my dearest and closest friend. Who can I turn to for
guidance?"
"Hush now, my child. I will always be right there with you in
your heart
and you in mine. We're Iranian women, remember? It's up to us to take
care of our families. You have a husband that loves you - would lay down
his life for you. Take strength in that. He will be your partner in life
Trust
him with your heart, your feelings and even your fears.
"You have a mother-in-law that calls you daughter. Accept her
love and
claim her as your own. Trust her like you trust me. Go to her and have the
same talks like we've had. She will advise you as I would - I'm sure of it.
So
you see? You're not alone and you can make your new life one of joy, of
love and hope for the future. I have taught you to be a good wife. Now is
the
time for you to leave and start your own family. I truly thank Allah for
giving me you as my child and I know He will be your strength.
"Go, Daughter, and make me proud. Never forget your heritage
or your
faith. It's up to you to lead your husband, for you are the stronger one.
Establish yourself as the dominant force in your home and put your family
and your husband first. If you do that, he will trust and follow your
direction. Always make sure your decisions are selfless with regard to your
family and do what your heart knows is right. Don't be misled by their
society. Keep the traditions - honor, chastity and family and most of all,
what's right in the sight of God. Protect those traditions with your
life"
"I will, Momma. Just wait and see. I will grow up just like
you for you are
my role model and idol. I love you, Momma and it feels like my heart is
broken into pieces. Goodbye, Momma. I'll miss you."
"Goodbye, Narisa. I will pray for you every day knowing that
you will make
Allah and me proud. Know this my child: I will miss and think of you until
my last breath. Now go, go make your farewells to your father and
brother."
Mother and child tightly embraced and kissed each other for the
last time.
Narisa made her way into her father's arms and continued to sob.
"There, there, Princess, don't cry. You're a woman now and
must leave my
house and begin a new life with your husband. Josh is a good man and you
have a good family to support you. When I imagine all the beauty and
wonder of this world, I only see your mother, Rafi and you. I'll miss you,
pray for you and remember your beautiful eyes. I make this vow to you,
Daughter: I will live long enough to look into the eyes of your children
and
I know I'll see your eyes again."
"Oh Daddy! You have been my hero and I measure all men in the
world
against you. I will miss our games together and your reassuring hugs. I'm
so sorry for disappointing you and getting into trouble. I know that I've
embarrassed you and brought you shame. Can you ever forgive me?"
"Hush now, child. You did no such thing! You could not and
have never
brought me shame. You did nothing wrong. You're a young girl and acted
like one. You have a husband that saved your life and for that, I praise
Allah. Look to him for he will now be your protector. Sometimes,
Princess,
we know not why things happen. All we can do is trust in God for He knows
our hearts.
"I believe that Allah brought these events upon us to bring
you and Josh
together. He's a good man and has been an honorable husband to you. Be
his strength and driving force in life and your family will prosper. If I
know
you - and your mother - he will become as trained as I (sniffled giggles).
You're a strong girl and my faith in you is unwavering. Your mother has
taught you well and now it's time for you to take those lessons and make
your own way in the world. There will be times when you are lonely, tired,
frustrated and unsure of yourself, but if you draw strength on your
heritage
and faith, Allah will see you through it all. Trust in your husband and
your
new family, your heritage and the lessons we've tried to impart to you and
look to Allah for strength and direction and you will prevail. Now kiss
your
Papa goodbye because it's not good for people to see a police chief cry
(more sniffled giggles)."
"Rafi, my sweet brother, I love you and will miss you
terribly."
Rafi broke down sobbing as he spoke to his sister, "Oh
Narisa, I'm so sorry!
All of this is my fault. If I had gotten there sooner none of this would
have
happened. I feel so ashamed!"
"Sweet brother, don't feel bad. All of this is Allah's doing
and is His
purpose for my life. Don't feel sad because we all have our lives to live
according to His will. Let's be happy for the years we've shared and be
grateful for God's gifts. One of the most precious of those is my beloved
brother. Find a good girl like Momma and have lots of happy babies. One
day our children will be together and play, just like you and I have and
they
will know the love of God. Kiss me, Rafi, and be happy for me. I've never
once blamed you for what's happened and I never will. Be at peace with
God and yourself. I love you and will miss you terribly. Now kiss me
goodbye."
Brother and sister kissed each other cheeks and Narisa took her
brother's
face in her hands and placed a gentle kiss on his lips.
While Narisa was saying goodbye to her family, Josh was doing the
same
with his friends. He bade farewell to his in-laws behind Narisa. Even
farewells have to end, but with every farewell there's a new adventure on
the horizon.
They boarded their flight at 5:55 and took off at 6:15. As the
plane banked
and lifted up into the clear, blue summer skies over Tehran, Narisa looked
back sobbing for a family and a homeland she'd never see again.
It took Josh a good hour during the flight to get Narisa calmed
down. As
soon as she seemed okay, she'd start the waterworks all over again. She
told him through her new mom that the thought of never seeing her family
again, especially her mother, seemed unbearable now that it was a reality
and she'd actually left Tehran.
Josh just pulled up the armrest between them and held her. There
wasn't
much else he could do. He thought to himself, If I was leaving my
parents
forever, I have no idea how I'd handle it - probably no better than Narisa
is.
After she'd cried herself out, she slept the last two of the
five-hour flight.
Josh woke her up when the seatbelt sign came on and were instructed to
prepare for landing. She awoke red-eyed from crying and her face was a
little puffy. When they landed in London, they learned that the State
Department didn't waste any time: they were waiting for them.
Stanley Wiseman, the Assistant Secretary of State that arranged for
Narisa's asylum along with several security personnel, met them as they
disembarked from the aircraft. They were escorted to a private conference
room where he began to prepare them for their arrival at Dulles. Everyone
was surprised to learn that they wouldn't be continuing their regular
flight,
but instead would be flown to Washington on a government jet.
He explained that the press was waiting for them in force,
expecting them
to arrive on a commercial flight. He told the family that he would be
making a government-approved statement and that he would answer most
of the press' questions. Then Steven, Josh's dad and Marie, his mother, if
she wished to, would speak and give their statements and take questions if
they so desired. Mr. Wiseman advised that it would be best if Narisa and
Josh didn't appear or speak to journalists because they were minors. U.S.
law prevents the press from publishing any details regarding the teens such
as names, personal details or information other than their ages and some
of the details of the incident in Tehran.
The details of their arrest, trials and release were murky areas
in that Marie
and Steven had to be careful of what they said because by asking carefully
crafted probing questions, the press hoped that some of this information
would be accidentally revealed. Any statement or information given by the
guardians of minor children could be printed. The press was hungry for the
juicy details: two young teens pulled from the brink of death only by
marrying one another. It was a story that had them all salivating. All of
them were starting to get apprehensive as they thought about the
prospective events following their landing.
Having been prepared, the Williams family was escorted through a
private
area and hustled into a shuttle bus and driven to a hangar where they
boarded a small jet. Fifteen minutes later they were airborne on their last
leg home, compliments of Uncle Sam. The plane was a lot more
comfortable than a commercial flight and they were served a hot meal once
they were underway.
None of them could really rest because they were so anxious about
what
was to happen when they landed. The tension only served to make the
flight seem longer than it really was. Josh thought to himself, I was
nervous about going over there and now, I'm more nervous about coming
back!
Josh cuddled his tiny wife to help ease her obvious fear of the
unknown.
She was still morose over the loss of her family. While she slept on the
plane, she'd utter "Momma" several times in her sleep. Add to
that, in Iran,
she was a convicted prostitute; what would the world press do with that
information?
After what seemed like forever, they were circling Washington D.
C.
waiting for clearance to land. Once on the ground and the plane had taxied
to a hangar, they were again loaded onto a shuttle that drove them to the
terminal. They were told their luggage would be taken care of and loaded in
the van that would drive them home. After some last-minute preparations,
the family was seated in an anteroom next to the pressroom and was told
they could watch the press conference on closed circuit TV. Then, if either
of the parents wished to make a statement, they would be called in. Steven
Williams said he'd like to make a statement and Mr. Wiseman told him he
would bring him in at the appropriate time.
Everyone attentively watched the screen and the lone podium with
the
State Department seal on a blue-curtained backdrop and the murmurings
of reporters waiting for someone to appear. After several minutes, Mr.
Wiseman walked into the room and up to the rostrum and the room
suddenly became quiet.
"Good evening, ladies and gentleman, it's such a pleasant
surprise to see all
of you here tonight instead of being at home with your families (chuckles
from the press).
"At this time, I'd like to take a moment and say that for our
citizens
traveling abroad, we would hope that they visit the State Department's
website and review any precautions that should be taken when traveling
abroad and to remember that U.S. citizens are bound by the laws of the
countries they visit. These countries may have far more serious penalties
for certain offenses than exist in the Unites States. We are here tonight
to
report the resolution of a situation involving the arrest, detention and
trial
of a U.S. citizen by authorities of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Through
delicate negotiations and diplomacy, a successful conclusion was
achieved."
Josh thought, Delicate negotiations and diplomacy my ass! What
were
they doing while I sat in that prison? Where were they when they
convicted and sentenced us to death? It's just like the government to take
credit for something they didn't do. He then continued to listen as Mr.
Wiseman went on.
"Now to the topic at hand: On July twelfth the teenaged son
of American
citizens - a minor I might add - intervened in an incident involving
Iranian
police authorities and a young teenaged girl being charged for offenses
under Islamic law. The boy felt a moral responsibility to act because he
truly believed her life was in danger. As a result, he was arrested,
charged
and tried for interfering with the internal affairs of the Islamic Republic
of
Iran and accosting a female citizen of their country.
"At this time, we would like to acknowledge the Iranian
government in
demonstrating moderation and restraint while exercising compassion in
bringing this matter to a successful resolution. Are there any
questions?"
"Is it true he was charged with rape? How old is he"
"No, that's incorrect, he is fourteen. Next?"
"Besides being charged with interfering in the internal
affairs in a police
matter, exactly what else was he charged with?"
"Defiling a Muslim girl. Next?"
"What exactly did he do?"
"He touched the girl. Next?"
"How old is the girl?"
"She's thirteen. You: over there in the blue."
"What was the girl being charged with and why did he
intervene?"
"She was unaccompanied on the street without a male relative
and was
charged with a crime against public chastity. She was reportedly being
stoned at the time of intervention."
"There were reports that she was a prostitute. Is that
true?"
"That is blatantly false. She's an innocent young girl much
like any other
girl her age around the world."
"Is it true they had to get married?"
"The marital status of minors - single or married - and any
other personal
information is not open for discussion."
"What of the girl? Is she here in the United States?"
"Yes, she has been granted asylum by the U.S.
government."
"Why was she granted asylum? Is it because she's become a
member of the
Williams family?'"
"The young lady was given asylum to protect her from any
further danger
of imprisonment or possible harm."
Mr. Wiseman introduced Josh's father saying that Mr. Steven
Williams
wanted to say a few words. Mr. Wiseman stood off to the left and behind
Mr. Williams. The room became quiet again as Steve stepped up to the
rostrum and began his statement.
"I would like to thank the State Department for all its help
in bringing our
family home. I'd just like to say that my wife, Marie, and I have spent our
entire adult lives in the pursuit of our love for Persian history, its
people,
customs and culture and this incident hasn't diminished that love - not one
whit - and we will continue that pursuit. We would also like to express our
heartfelt gratitude to the Iranian government for its clemency in this
case.
"I would like to remind all of you that the details you seek
the most involve
the personal lives and futures of two young people. They have been through
some very trying and traumatic events and need time to heal and get on
with their lives. I am now asking that you, the press, give them their
privacy and respect their rights to live their lives as normally as
possible.
"Make no mistake: If my wife and I feel that the press is in
any way
investigating, intervening or intruding on their privacy, we will fight
with
every resource we have and every fiber in our beings to protect them. Your
"right to publish" under the first amendment, for the sake of a
provocative
story, is superceded by the rights of two minors to live their lives in
peace.
Thank you very much."
As Steven turned and left the podium, multiple questions were
being
shouted from the gallery of reporters all at once. He remained silent and
left, followed by Mr. Wiseman's announcement "I'm afraid that's all
for
now, thank you all for coming."
Again, now away from any crowds, the reporters and
curiosity-seekers, the
family thanked Mr. Wiseman for all his help and support. They were then
led through the private hallways of the terminal to an awaiting van to take
them home.
As they sped through the darkness of night along I-495 to their
new home
in Virginia, Josh pondered what tomorrow and the future held in store for
his Persian Princess and him. Narisa meanwhile was thinking the very
same thing as she sat enfolded in Josh's arms. They would embark on a
new journey together and start of a new life. Together, as a young married
couple, they would cling to each other as they ventured forth into the
future
on a new beginning…
Edited by Morgan
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