Taemia al-Malika

History

The blinding of the malika is a celebratory tradition, unlike others, because it was born from disaster. Zarqa, al Malika, al Ealia was blinded by assassins in the night, the same night her in-laws, Saleh's parents, the rulers, were assassinated. Everyone mourned for the assassinated rulers, and Zarqa mourned for her eyes. But she rose above it, in the end. And her strength, and defiance helped bring the people back up. They saw her resilience, and they promised to match it. She tied a blue silk ribbon, the colour of their nation, around her eyes, and would don it every waking hour. The colour blue was already royal, and meant so much - but she made it matter even more. The anniversary of it wasn't something the royals created. It was a celebration made by the people, to honour their malika, to tell her they saw her struggle, and her strength, and they appreciated her.

Execution

On this day, people wrap their own blue silk around their eyes, and stand as one in the city centre, holding lit candles, swaying along to powerful chants, at first soft, and then louder as their passion grows. The malika stands on the palace balcony, her own blue silk around her eyes.