No Place for 'Honour Killing' in Islam

LONDON, June 2, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

The gruesome murder of 25-year old pregnant Farzana Parveen on 27^th May in Pakistan, by some 20 of her own close relations, including her two brothers and her father, with stones, bricks and sticks, in broad daylight, on a street bustling with people and police, virtually in the compounds of Lahore High Courts, has shaken the world. The father offered himself for custody, and stated he killed her as a matter of 'family honour'.

This happening in a country with 98% Muslim population and with an 'Islamic' constitution, even if not directly fuelled by the news reporting, perceptions permeate that this brutality is something to do with Islam. Nothing could be further from the truth.

So-called 'Honour' killings exists despite Islam, not because of it and are in every respect contrary to its teachings. Those who perpetrate it, demonstrate how far removed they are from faith and how deluded they are that murder is 'honour'.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim community UK wishes to make it clear that Islam considers 'honour killing' as murder. Islam provides no justification for such crimes and instead calls for the protection of women. Neither any verse in the Holy Quran nor any tradition of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) permits such crimes.

Despite that, 'honour killing' is widespread and a major concern. According to Pakistan's Human Rights Commission, nearly 900 women were murdered last year for crimes of dishonour. When unreported murders suspected to have been carried out in the same vein are counted, the actual number is in the thousands.

Whilst 'honour killings' also happen in other communities and other countries as well, the dysfunctionality of the justice system in Pakistan means that the killers know they can get away with such murders.

The National President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association UK said: 

"We condemn the barbaric killing of Farzana Parveen in Lahore. Honour killing has no basis whatsoever in Islam and the perpetrators must be brought to justice and face the full force of the law.

"Violence against women is unacceptable and the Government must take firm action to protect women and ensure that such incidents do not happen again.

"More than 1400 years ago Muslims were at the forefront in protecting the rights of women, but in today's Muslim countries women's rights are being usurped - an indication of how the teachings of Islam have been corrupted by extremists with regards to women's rights as well as basic human rights for all."

Contacts:
Basharat Nazir media@ahmadiyya.org.uk Tel +44-7703-483-384
Mahmood Rafiq Tel +44-7971-060-962
http://www.loveforallhatredfornone.org
http://www.alislam.org
http://www.StopThePersecution.org