Killed in name of honour

The Mail and Guardian ^ | 6/28/05 | Chris McGreal

[RonF]

Faten Habash’s father wept as he assured his daughter there would be no more beatings, no more threats to her life and that she was free to marry the man she loved, even if he was a Muslim.

...

Hassan Habash even gave his word to an emissary from a Bedouin tribe traditionally brought in to mediate in matters of family honour, a commitment regarded as sacrosanct in Palestinian society. But the next weekend, as Faten, a 22-year-old Christian Palestinian, watched a Boy Scouts parade from the balcony of her Ramallah home she was dragged into the living room and bludgeoned to death with an iron bar. Her father was arrested for the murder.

...

But [calls for changing laws that punish 'honor killings' with essentially a wrist slap] have met with resistance in Parliament where religious Palestinian MPs argue that reform will lead to a collapse of the moral fabric of society.

“They’re very traditional there,’’ said Maha Abu Dayyeh Shamas, director of the Women’s Centre for Legal Aid and Counselling. “They say these are our traditions, that a man who is in a moment of anger is driven to do these things. ... We have a lot of complaints from women that their husbands are having affairs. We ask these MPs if they think these women should be allowed to kill their husbands. They can’t answer that question.’’

...

The Bedouin mediator says the Habashes have dishonoured his tribe by breaching the pledge that Faten would not be harmed. “The crime is not against the girl, the crime is against our family,’’ said Abu Dahouq. “Since they have broken their word, we have the right to retaliate. There will be a reaction for betraying their religion and betraying us.’’

[RonF]

I thought that this was of interest specifically because it highlights that the concept of "honor killing" did not originate with Islam, and it does not continue only though Islam. It is a Middle Eastern cultural construct that is independent of religion.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

"We have a lot of complaints from women that their husbands are having affairs. We ask these MPs if they think these women should be allowed to kill their husbands. They can’t answer that question."

Heh.

[Constitutions Grandchild]

You can't fix stupid.

[twigs]

You're correct. This is interesting, but no less sad. This is cultural Christianity, not the Biblical kind.

[kimosabe31]

bump

[lilylangtree]

"a collapse of the moral fabric of society" translated means that the pali husbands and fathers can't be judge, jury and executioner over women anymore.

[siunevada]

It is a Middle Eastern cultural construct that is independent of religion.

Interesting post. It's a tribal thing not a religious thing.

[stuartcr]

And in the same vein, one should put the blame where it really belongs.

[clearsight]

"This is cultural Christianity"

Huh...???????

I do not think her father was a real born again Holy Ghost Filled Christian, based on the way he behaved himself. "By their fruits you shall know them"

[FormerLib]

...highlights that the concept of "honor killing" did not originate with Islam...

You think a single story to the contrary constitutes proof of this? Pfffft!

[FormerLib]

Correct. No one following the teachings of Jesus Christ could participate in this sort of brutality. One following the teachings of Muhammed certainly could, however.

[Sonar5]

yes, yes, yes..... Religion of Peace....

blah...blah...blah... Nothing to see here, just move along...

That whole area is just damaged goods....

Just another blame the Christians story....

Morons...

[twigs]

That's what I meant. Cultural--like we are a "Christian" nation. Some Palestinians are not Muslims but come from a Christian tradition. Does not necessarily mean they are born again.

[clearsight]

Good point.

[RonF]

This post is meant to be an example of a current event that illustrates my point, not a proof.

However, if you bother to do the research you'll find that the practice predates Islam. You'll also find that it is practiced in the area by people who profess religions other than Islam, amd this story draws attemtion to that. Whether Islam officially recommends or condones this, or whether it officially condemns it but turns a blind eye to it is not known to me. But it's not unique to Islam, and this post (and the story as a whole, if you click through and read it) makes it clear that this is a cultural construct of the area, not a religious one, and has nothing to do with Christianity either

[FormerLib]

However, if you bother to do the research you'll find that the practice predates Islam.

I believe you'll find exactly the opposite to be true. You'd have better luck naming a country where honor killing is practiced in areas where Islam is not the dominant religion.

And since you've made the assertion that the practice predates the mad moon-rock cult, certainly you wouldn't mind supplying a few links as proof?

[anticommunist8]

I believe you, but I suggest you provide proof.

[FormerLib]

I'm certainly seeing plenty of cases where Islamic leaders (and those who quote them to substantiate their open-mindedness) claim the practice predates Islam, but that doesn't explain the fact that honor killings dominantly occur in Islamic regions nor does it explain why Islam has done such a poor job of eliminating the practice.

[RonF]

I believe you'll find exactly the opposite to be true. You'd have better luck naming a country where honor killing is practiced in areas where Islam is not the dominant religion.

Then here and here are a couple of links for you about "honor" killings in India, where the majority religion is Hindu. And there are more if you want to look for them.

[cricket]

Interesting their parameters on what constitutes the 'moral fabric'. Pathetic and 'stone age' as well. Way past time to move up on the enlightenment scale.