Critical Thoughts

I remember her very well, since she was a product of my generation. At an age younger than me by at least four years, she stepped into Oxford (taking up Maths, no less!) while I was struggling in 2K1 at Sekolah Menengah Abdullah Munshi (and didn’t do well at Maths during that time, I admit). But while I have today become not only a problogger but also Internet activist, what has she become?

A prostitute!

Sufiah Yusof, the child Maths genius who won a place at Oxford University when she was just 13, has been found to be working as a prostitute, according to a report in London’s News of the World. Sufiah, now 23, whose father Farooq is a Pakistani and mother Halimathon is from Johor, was reported to have entertained an undercover reporter in her flat in Manchester.

Claiming that she had posted her services for £130 (RM829) on the Internet, the newspaper said she had called herself Shilpa Lee on a hookers’ website. She is said to have advertised herself as “a sexy, smart student” who preferred “older gentlemen”.

What went wrong with her? It would be easy to lay blame upon the abusive father and repressive family but I do not think that is the whole reason. Blame should also be placed upon her secular surroundings, the over-emphasis on her secular education at the expense of morality and lack of exposure and emphasis on Islamic teachings. Secularism is to be blamed for the downfall of Sufiah Yusof, the shining star which is no longer.

It is indeed a very sad end to the life of such a bright young lady.