"Even
if you have nothing, you should have honor."
There
are some countries of the world where honor matters more than to people than
food on plates. Most poor people cherish honor because that is their only
possession. It is not only for the poor, other people of society also have it.
They work hard to preserve their honor.
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What
is honor killing?
When
the male family member suspects a woman or girl of having a relationship before
or outside of marriage, they kill them to restore the family's honor. Other
reasons for honor killing could be higher education or to ask for a divorce.
It
is tough to use the term honor killing because there is nothing honorable about
killing women. When a woman makes a decision, it becomes an issue for the honor
of her family and society. The male member of society kills innocent girls. Men
make women the guardian of honor and loot all their basic rights like marrying
of their own will, getting an education, right for divorce, Etc. No religion
and constitution accept honor killing.
Why
do men think that it is easy to kill women for honor?
Men
think it is easy to kill women because they are weak, and the laws regarding
honor killing are also not strict. The victim's close relative usually makes
honor killing. Cases are not reported because Wali (the guardian)
usually does the crime, and the victim still does not get justice if few cases
are reported. Family members forgive that murderer. People think that killing a
woman can only restore honor in family and society because they think women are
useless and use them as an eraser. Once she is killed, her blood will erase
shame from her family.
What
drives men to kill members of their own families?
1.
Men feel that it is their responsibility to make sure that woman lives in the
confines of the rules they made for them. They believe that somehow
transgressing these unwritten rules, the women have shamed them and dishonored
their families.
2.
The concept of honor is generally associated with a woman's physical appearance
or her mannerisms.
Pakistan
has the highest rate of honor killing. 1 of every 5
cases of honor killing are from Pakistan.
Reasons
that lead men to kill women in the name of honor
1.
The girl is going out without a veil.
2.
Females using Facebook and going to restaurants.
3.
Having a sexual relationship or casual relation with a male coworker or another
man.
4.
Based on a suspect that she is having a relationship with a male.
Is
honor killing allowed in Islam?
If
a woman can be killed in the name of honor, then she also has the right to kill
men for her honor. After shirk, killing someone is the biggest crime. It is
said that killing someone is equal to killing the whole of humanity.
In this world, everyone should be seen as human, not based on its gender. A study
shows that humans have emotions of love, hate, honor, etc. However, religion
orders to keep all those emotions within limits.
Connection
of Islam with Honor killing
1.
Shari'ah prohibits honor killing.
2.
Even the spouse gets caught up in uncommon conduct against Islamic teachings.
Then still, it is homicide to kill the spouse. Honor killings are not
justifiable in Islam under any circumstance.
3.
Most Middle East countries do not follow Shari'ah law. Rather they follow
European law. Moreover, Pakistani law is till from the 1860 British imported
rule over colonial India.
Why
is honor killing still happening?
It
is still happening because men consider their wives and daughters their
asserts. Women nowadays are well aware of their rights. They do not want to
live lives as their mother and grandmothers do. They start to question sexist
and patriarchal social structures. Furthermore, when they do so, men feel they
dishonor their family and lead to honor killing.
How
to change the mindset of the men?
Government should change Laws about honor killing. The punishment should be the death penalty. Fear should be in their heart that there will be repercussions if they do so in the future. Government and NGOs should educate women about their rights and the rules against honor killing through campaigns.
This article is written by Juwairia Malyk, one of the contributors at the School of Literature.
