Do beliefs and traditions trump human life? How is honour restored through honour killings? Do behaviors, actions, or beliefs cause a separation significant enough to justify murder in the name of honour?
Honour killings, mostly directly at women and girl, is the homicide of a family member due to the belief that the victim has brought dishonour upon the community or family. What is considered dishonour? From dressing in an offensive or westernized manner, marrying by own choice to engaging in homosexual acts, some 5000 women and girls are killed yearly by their own family members (UNFPA). Through killing, the honour is restored and purified back into your family and community.
However, there is nothing honourable about intentionally killing 4 human beings, not to mention your own family members. The Shafia sisters – Zainab, 19, Sahar, 17, Geeti, 13, and their father’s first wife, Rona Amir Mohammed, 52, were found dead in a sunken Nissan Sentra in Kingston, Ontario on June 30, 2009. The daughters allegedly dishonoured the family by challenging their belief system through dressing in unacceptable manners, dating men of their own choice, and living a modern lifestyle.
Mohammad Shafia, the Afghan father, had two wives; one of the killed, Rona who was his first wife, and his second wife and mother of his children, Tooba Yahya, who is also accused of the killings. Together with their son Hamed, 20, they are accused of four counts of first-degree murder. Up until now, all accusations have been denied and found not guilty; however, the trial is not over.
Throughout the trial, the crown has portrayed the Shafia case as honour killings. When the prosecutor asked the father “do you believe their actions brought about the rightful death,” Shafia replied “yes.” Shafia went on to say that “they (the girls) betrayed kindness, Islam, our religion and creed…they betrayed everything” and described the revealed cell phone photos of his daughters as “whores.” Despite his harsh words he has also contradicted himself in saying “to kill someone, you can’t regain your reputation and honour.”
The high profile trial remains a mystery but it begs further questioning and understanding of “honour killings.”
How can one claim that the death of your offspring brings you honor? In Mohammad Shafia’s case, he believed this accident was a pre-determined act of God and said that “they did it to themselves.” Does fate really determine our destiny or is Shafia using this to gain some leniency with the courts?
Though there have been cases of men being killed to restore honour, the vast majority of victims are women. Alleged honour killings are familiar to Canadians as there have been numerous cases related to this issue over the years. With the high waves of immigration entering Canada, cultural differences and social misunderstandings are expected. However, using culture or religion to gain understanding in a serious crime such as homicide should be immediately dismissed. We, as a society need to remove this term from our discourse as it undermines the serious meaning of the crime. Labeling murder with “honour” reduces the magnitude the crime holds. If anything, seeking honour through murder is an oxymoron. Murder is murder. Killing a family member for a perceived dishonourable act is a serious and barbaric crime that should never be excused for familial values.
Although they are more prevalent, but not limited, to the Muslim world, honour kills are in no way condoned in the Qu’ran.
Agreeing with that sentiment and the religious stigma attached to it, Muslim leaders across the Canada have taken a public stand to speak out against domestic violence to make clear that resorting to murder as a rationale has no basis or relation to the beliefs of Islam. Their intent is to inform society that the alleged actions of a few people cannot represent the beliefs of millions.
The positive twist to the disturbing Shafia trial is that it is raising the issue of honour killings and demanding a call to action and a call to end this immoral behavior. Hopefully, this case will reiterate the fact that murder cannot and will not bring honor, whether in Canada or Afghanistan. Continual cultural awareness, increased understanding for immigrant families and integration programs can help ease transitions and avoid this.
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Hi SonjaBe
This is amazing that you bring this important issue up. I hope Canadian justice system understands the gravity of these actions in the name of Islam or any other religion. Women should be protected from harm, so should be the case for men. Main point is that no one, ever should be excused for doing such horrible crime, hope this couple and their son would reamin in jail forever, although they are already in their own mind that is deluded and poisened. I would be really losing trust in the Canadian Justice system if these people get out of this crime with the excuse of whatever honour they believe they kept. They are dishorned in my mind as human beings!
There is never any honour in killing for any “reason”. Period.
Well said Kevin…murder is murder!