Light Within: 7' 2" Woman Too Tall for Pakistan?

7' 2" Woman Too Tall for Pakistan?
Monday, 19 October 2009

The Daily Times (18 October, 2006) reports (based on a report in the UK tabloid The Daily Mail) that "A Pakistani woman seven feet and two inches tall is to live in Britain on benefits after claiming asylum because she is ‘too tall’ to return home."

Zainab Bibi, 33, claims she faces constant persecution and ridicule in her own country over her height. She has lodged an asylum claim with the Home Office and has already been granted a two-year visa to remain in the UK. Zainab, who in 2003 held the title of the tallest woman in the world, plans to live off benefits and take advantage of free NHS healthcare. Zainab lodged her application for asylum claiming she was repeatedly attacked in her hometown Toba Tek Singh near Faisalabad. She said youths in her hometown threw stones and rocks at her and often pulled at her clothing. She added that one man hit her with a stick breaking her wrist and now she is too afraid to return to Pakistan for fear of further attacks. After flying in from Pakistan, she claimed asylum in June and was given a council flat in Stockport, Greater Manchester, where she pays no rent or council tax and receives £40 a week in benefits. Zainab’s case is likely to be heard next year, according to the Daily Mail.

Years ago when I was very young I remember meeting Alam Channa, then the tallest man in the world. I still have a photograph with him. I remember that instead of being awed by this 'world record holder' that everyone was proud of, I felt really bad and sad for this gentle soul and the great discomfort he had to go through (I remember watching him coming out of a small Suzuki 800). Since then, I have never understood the silly glee and shallow pride that some people get out of supposed 'records' such as this and, frankly, now I have a very low opinion of most things in the Guinness Book of World Records.

More...I feel sad for Zainab and can only imagine the type of ridicule and taunting that she must have to go through where people start treating her like a 'tamasha' rather than a real human being. In Alam Channa's case it was a medical condition that made him tall, I do not know if it is the same in Zainab's case.

In a society where just being a woman can sometimes be difficult enough, being a woman who is 'so different' and 'stands out', quite literally, could possibly not be easy. I wish however, that people in her home town had not chased her away and still wish that somehow we could give her the respect and the ability to lead a normal life within Pakistan. I note in the picture her broad smile and the Pakistan flag she wears proudly around her neck. Could not the image-makers of Pakistan do something better for her than a Council flat and £40 a week?

Compare her with World's Shortest Woman

Labels: Tallest Woman

posted by S A J Shirazi @ Monday, October 19, 2009,

19 Comments:

At 8:35 AM PKT, Anonymous said...: Here is on Alam Channa:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/125593.stm
At 8:38 AM PKT, Penny Halston said...: I can only hope that this woman is treated with compassion in her new home. Sadly, human nature being what it is, I suspect she may also be ridiculed here, too. I'm sure she faces many difficulties due to her size. I hope she finds happiness.
At 9:16 AM PKT, Anonymous said...: I am wondering what sort of problem she may be facing besides people laughing at her: in marriage, normal day living, moving from one place to another, climbing staires and many more.

Why is society not tolrant anymore? Why?

~Attu~
At 12:33 PM PKT, Marz said...: I think it's terrible that anyone should go at her because of her height. What they should do is to be concerned, because there are some health-related issues that go along with height. I guess there are -- sadly enough -- some people who do not have the capability to understand difference.

I rally hope that she is treated with compassion and care -- and like a human being -- in her new home. I would like to imagine that she will be doing great things for her home and will be a revolution over there. =)
At 2:36 PM PKT, Sidhusaaheb said...: Well, it is rather bad that the poor lady has had to claim asylum in the UK, on account of the difficulties she was facing in her hometown.

However, people from the sub-continent do not always seek asylum because they had any problems back home.

I personally know some one who had won a contest organised by the British government. He received a bat signed by all the players of the MCC as well as two air-tickets to go and watch a test match at Lord's. He took along a friend who had some relatives in London and, after watching the match, both of them went underground and later applied for asylum on grounds that I am not aware of.

I believe the case is still pending. However, this person has a social security number and is already working there.

There have been reports in the media about numerous other cases, where others, including sports-persons and entertainers from the sub-continent, have disappeared while visiting Western countries on a valid visa, in order to become illegal immigrants.

It is a very sad state of affairs indeed.
At 5:02 PM PKT, Teresa said...: The tallest woman in the world since 1976 is Sandy Allen who is 7'7 1/4" tall and lives a mere 20 minutes from me. And, life isn't easy for her and she lives in America, so I can imagine things are very difficult in Pakistan. I hope she finds peace.
At 5:18 PM PKT, Alina said...: People get scared so easily and act completely weird when scared. However, we are not small kids who cannot control their feeling, we should all try harder to stop making those who stand out feel less uncomfortable.
At 6:15 PM PKT, EXSENO said...: It is so sad that this lovely woman is being treated this way. I think she may no be treated as badly in the UK, the people there seem to be more open minded, but at the same time it must hurt her terribly to be treated so badly by people in her own homeland. In the US, I don't think she would be treated that way. She might be stared at some when she walks into a room but I don't think she would be physically abused. I hope that she finds happiness and is treated better where ever she moves to.
At 8:17 PM PKT, Anonymous said...: It makes me sad too, that this woman is treated so badly in her own country and her hometown. Being tall anywhere is always a burden because you stand out. I wonder if it isn't more because she is a woman rather than just her height. Do you think they would treat a man the same height that way in Pakistan? In any case, I wish her well, and I hope that her new host countrymen and women treat her with respect.
At 8:46 PM PKT, Anonymous said...: well in my opinion it's an utter shame for Pakistan and us Pakistanis. it just shows wot kind of ppl u r, way below the moral lines,i wish she dint hafta go through all this humiliation.
At 10:31 PM PKT, Irving said...: May God, who gave her height, bless her accordingly. May she live her life with purpose and honor, and someday return to a more understanding and less superstitious Pakistan. Such adolescent behavior over differences is sad and backward, more Pagan than Muslim.

Ya Haqq!
At 3:22 AM PKT, Anonymous said...: she should be valued .. and not to be made fun off .. i mean comon .. pakistanis are known not to value something precious while all other countries do at the same time.

Yes .. she should stay in the UK .. because pakistan is not a good enough place.
At 11:26 AM PKT, Anonymous said...: Treat her fine folks; every one.
At 10:16 AM PKT, Rose said...: This is so sad. Why would anyone want to mistreat her because of height? The men in the USA are offered millions of dollars to play basketball as I believe their were several near are at that height. I don't get it. People can be so cruel. We should be proud of her for handling herself in a world where differences are not appreciated.
At 3:39 PM PKT, 'ka said...: i still don't understand why they need to abuse her??? so what if she's that tall?
At 11:03 PM PKT, Anonymous said...: pound gota great attraction.
At 11:07 PM PKT, Anonymous said...: she is staying in uk cuz of pounds.
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At 2:59 AM PKT, Anonymous said...: £40 a week is indeed a great attraction! grow up! How u kno wot people go throw when they got the slightest disability or defect? especially if its a village with more than 70% ppl likely to be illiterate!