'I felt that the people who taught religion were not even basically civilised'; Fara Shibla opens up about her experience in Madrasa

Fara Shibla is an actress who is familiar to Malayalis through films such as Kakshi Amminipilla, Kadina Kadoramee Andakadaham and Somante Krithavu. In a recent interview given to a YouTube channel, the actress revealed that ​​​​​​she was a victim of sexual abuse during her childhood.

“I was sexually abused. It was by a very close family member. I was studying in Class Four or Five then. At that age, we don’t understand what it is, and we don’t know whom to tell. Around 80% of women my age have gone through some form of abuse at least once. I only knew that it made me uncomfortable and that I had to protect myself.

I was very scared. I am usually an extrovert and can act as if everything is fine in front of people. Even if someone hurts me, I am a person who tries to forgive. But this is something I will never forgive in my life. Whatever excuses they give, I will not forgive. Parents must always look after their children.

When I studied in a Madrasa, I felt that the people who taught religion were not even basically civilised. I don’t know if things have changed now. I’m talking about what happened ten years ago. Wherever you send your children, stay with them until they reach a certain age.

I am not talking about any religion. But the place I went to felt very toxic. When I was in Class Two, I had a boy-cut hairstyle. I used to wear the headscarf only when going to the Madrasa. One day, when I was getting ready to go to school, I saw the Ustad passing by in a vehicle. Later, when I reached the Madrasa, he pulled off my headscarf in front of everyone and insulted me. At that time, such things were considered normal. I was actually a good student there. There were good Ustads too. I’m not saying everyone was bad," Fara said.