A Look at Forced Marriages and Honour Killings

A selection of documentaries on the topic:

1. Britain's Crimes of Honour:

Part 1:

Part 2:

2. Why are UK Authorities Ignoring Honour Killings?

These documentaries are being posted to provoke discussion on the topic, obviously, but also to get to the heart of the matter. If a mentality of fiercely protecting "honour" is causing so many deaths and other forms of abuse, then it is not surprising that the same mentality attempts to cover up or at least trivialise what is going on. Therefore, while watching these documentaries, one should not only ponder on the facts of these events but also the reactions of members of the Asian community as they attempt to label these crimes as isolated incidents or request that the police not associate community leaders or local masjid committee members with them. This is very similar to what psychologists call enabling in the negative sense.

As for Nosheen, may Allah rectify her affair and cure her, it's hard to feel sorry for her father. What does he mean when he says she is "wasted"?

However, the most fascinating piece of information from both documentaries is the admission of Det. Const. Palbinder Singh regarding the notion that family honour can be regained through violence (about ten minutes into the second documentary):

'That concept exists in every Asiatic mind, whether they be in Great Britain, whether they be in Switzerland, whether they be in Pakistan, India wherever. It's a concept that doesn't stop just because you cross a border.'

In closing, it should be noted that this is only one aspect of the abuse and violation that Asian women, in particular, suffer, but forced marriage is at the root of it, from which honour killings, acid throwing, false imprisonment, kidnapping, sexual assault and so forth arise, and then affect the wider community, e.g. grooming.

And with Allah is every success and may Allah release or give a speedy rescue to all women who are in this horrific and grotesque situation, ameen!

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