September 04, 2006	Monday	Sha'aban 10, 1427

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LAHORE, Sept 3: The Scottish schoolgirl fighting a court battle for a guardianship in the name of her Pakistani father says it was a living hell she had escaped from, and “it suits her more to live here than in Britain.”

The girl on Saturday had been given in an interim custody of her father by a court till Sept 6 when her mother would file a rejoinder.

“The court has issued notices to her mother Louise Ann Campbell through the British High Commission,” her family lawyer Dr A. Basit said, adding the court had also imposed restriction that the girl could not be taken away anywhere outside its territorial area of jurisdiction.

“That house had become a living hell for me,” Misbah Iram Ahmad Rana, 12, also known as Molly Campbell, says of her living with her mother in Scotland.

Beamed with smiles and looking very happy and comfortable, she and her family members, including her father, sister and a brother, at a news conference on Sunday explained the circumstances which forced her to leave her mother in Britain. Her father Sajjad Ahmad Rana went a step ahead saying “this is not the only case in which British-born Muslim has been facing identity crisis.

“This case is an outcome of the hate for non-white Asians and Muslims,” he said of the circumstances, which he and his family faced in Britain.

Asked what culture suits her more, Molly said: “Pakistani culture suits me more. I love being a Muslim. I have the right to live my life of my own free will. I believe in God. I believe in peace.

“My mother has started living with a man named Campbell. I do not like this all. Call me Molly if you like, but not Molly Campbell.”

Her father interrupted her, saying Campbell also used to treat her badly. He added that he extended his support to his elder daughter Tehmina Ahmad Rana in bringing Misbah back to Pakistan when he learnt that her (Molly’s) faith was in danger.

“Her mother had been forcing her to eat what is forbidden in Islam. She had been trying to convince Molly to take liquor and preaching against our belief in Allah Almighty and the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him).”

Misbah added in a written statement: “My mother has reconverted to Christianity after her divorce and has taken her original name. She wants to bring me up as a Christian. I do not want to be a Christian. I love Scotland but I love Islam more. I am determined to be a Scottish Muslim Scotland may be proud of one day.”

Her sister Tehmina, who played a major role in bringing her back, said she spoke to her father asking him that Misbah was miserable and wanted to come back. “My father said it was not a good idea as it could involve some legal problems. I told him if he did not do it I would do it myself.”

She added: “My father became an object of hate for my mother only because he was a non-white and Muslim. She developed a feeling as if she had committed a blunder in her life. She came to hate my father’s beard and the mark on his forehead.”

Her mother Louise Campbell last week alleged that Misbah was abducted from Western Isles by her father before they flew to Pakistan from Glasgow to force her into an arranged marriage.

“I do not want to marry. My father has never asked me to marry anyone. Indeed, he has told me in so many words that I am absolutely free to marry anyone of my own choice when the time comes,” Misbah wrote in the statement.

She further said during her stay in Scotland her mother had repeatedly explained to her that the biggest mistake she made in her life was to marry a non-white Asian and a Muslim.

Asked whether she had spoken to her mother after coming to Pakistan, she said she did and “my mother asked me if I was happy, she had no problem. I told her that I am more than happy.”

The family lawyer said while answering a query that there was no chance to take the case to Britain. He also dismissed if there was any protocol between Pakistan and Britain about returning somebody after abduction. “It is just an understanding. We will fight this case here in Pakistan.”

The case about the guardianship of the girl in the court of a civil judge will be taken up on Sept 6. Separately, a writ petition filed with the LHC by the family is expected to be taken up on Monday (today).