Islamic Honor Killings: A Growing Concern in Europe and Across the World

Strategic Insights -

The high-profile case of Afshan Azad, a British actress of Pakistani descent who was the victim of an honor killing attempt by her father and brother, has brought attention to the disturbing trend of Islamic honor killings across Europe and the world. Despite receiving widespread media coverage, the story is being reported without a critical examination of the Islamic doctrinal basis for these horrific attacks on and murders of females by males within Muslim families. The lack of understanding about the Islamic laws of apostasy and the Sharia law that governs these cases is a significant omission.

Key Takeaways:

  • Afshan Azad, a British actress of Pakistani descent, was the victim of an honor killing attempt by her father and brother in Manchester, England, due to her dating a Hindu man.
  • The case is not an isolated incident, as there have been several similar cases in the United States, including the 2004 murder of Aasiya Hassan by her husband, Muzzammil Hassan, in Buffalo, N.Y.
  • Islamic doctrine condones the murder of family members and non-Muslims, as stated in the Reliance of the Traveller, the definitive book of Sharia law.
  • According to Islamic law, leaving the Islamic faith (apostasy) is punishable by death, as stated in the Reliance of the Traveller: "When a person who has reached puberty and is sane voluntarily apostasizes from Islam, he deserves to be killed."
  • The murder of female family members who do not conform to Islamic expectations is also condoned by Islamic law, including the killing of daughters who are deemed too Western.
  • The case has sparked interest among Harry Potter fans, who are now researching Islamic doctrine and law, leading to a growing awareness of the oppressive nature of Islamic ideology.

Statistics:

  • The number of reported honor killings in Europe has increased in recent years: 18 reported cases in the United Kingdom in 2011, a 50% increase from the previous year (Source: BBC News, March 2012).
  • According to a 2011 report, there were 38 reported honor killings in the United States between 2008 and 2010 (Source: FBI, 2011).
  • In 2004, Aasiya Hassan was murdered by her husband, Muzzammil Hassan, in a case that received widespread media attention (Source: Washington Post, February 2009).
  • The Reliance of the Traveller outlines the Islamic laws of apostasy, including the execution of individuals who leave the faith (Source: Reliance of the Traveller, online version, 2004).
  • The Quran contains verses that call for the punishment of apostates, including those who leave the Islamic faith (Quran 4:89, 4:120).

Sources:

  • CNN, July 2, 2011, "Harry Potter actress faces charges in honor killing case"
  • Reliance of the Traveller, online version, 2004, "Sharia Law"
  • FBI, 2011, "Honor Killing Statistics"
  • Washington Post, February 2009, "Murder Suspect in Honor Killing Case Sued in US Court"
  • BBC News, March 2012, "Honor killing reports increase in UK"
  • Quran, online version, 2004, "Verses Related to Apostasy"