Epigraph:
On account of this, We prescribed for the children of Israel that whosoever killed a person — unless it be for killing a person or for creating disorder in the land — it shall be as if he had killed all mankind; and whoso gave life to one, it shall be as if he had given life to all mankind. And Our Messengers came to them with clear Signs, yet even after that, many of them commit excesses in the land. (Al Quran 5:33)
Huffington Post | By Yasmine Hafiz
Following the brutal murder of Farzana Parveen Iqbal, the Pakistan Ulema Council of Muslim scholars issued a fatwa condemning “honor killings” as un-Islamic and inhuman, reports Newsweek Pakistan.
The fatwa declared, “killing of girls in the name of honor or dignity is terrorism and viciousness—which has nothing to do with Islam.”
Iqbal was 25 years old and pregnant when she was fatally attacked by over two dozen family members, who battered her with bricks. Her father reportedly told police, “I killed my daughter as she had insulted all of our family by marrying a man without our consent, and I have no regret over it.”
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan observed nearly 900 women falling victim to honor killings in 2013 alone, based on media reports.
The Islamic Supreme Council of Canada issued a similar fatwa in 2012, following the honor killing of four women from the Shafia family in Montreal. Syed Soharwardy, the imam who founded the council, explained that the fatwa serves as “morally binding” for all Muslims, though it has no legal teeth.
“So if anybody is thinking that honour killing is allowed in Islam, or domestic violence is OK or misogyny is OK, we are saying no, you are dead wrong,” Soharwardy said.
The Pakistan Ulema Council will release a more detailed edict on honor killings on June 5, during a conference of leaders from all sects.
The Muslim Times’ Editor’s comments
This is welcome news. But, what about the Ahmadi doctor, Mehdi Ali Qamar, who was shot a few days ago and another Ahmadi, Khalil Ahmad, who was shot and killed by hooligans, while in police custody.
I hope, the ‘Ulema,’ realize that no human life is sacred, unless every human life is sacred, so said the Holy Quran. (5:33)
Categories: Asia, Pakistan, Women, Women In islam, Women Rights, Women's right
Honour killing and female infanticide come from Pagan-Hindu-Judeo-Christian traditions. Hindus idolise women as Goddesses on one hand, while downgrading them on the sly at the same time. There is nothing in the Holy Quran and the Hadiths that may encourage people to kill their daughters. Infact, Islam came to abolish the dark ages of Pagan- Hindu –Judeo- Christian traditions. Islam is a matter of choice and there is no compulsion at all. It is a misconception that forced marriage and honour killing are part of Muslim culture. Forced marriage, honour killing and genital mutilation are rare practices among migrant communities. Muslim migrants are worried about institutional racism, binge drinking, drug addiction, incivility, gun and knife crimes, high rate of abortions and teen age pregnancies. An average of 20 English girls under the age of 16 falls pregnant every day. Muslim parents do not want their children to be integrated into such barbarity. Muslim women feel torn between two cultures, thanks to the British education system with non-Muslim monolingual teachers. It makes their lives very confusing.
The tragedy of forced marriage and honour killing could have been avoided if the poor girls were educated in a single sex state funded Muslim schools by female Muslim teachers. Educational attainment rises quite significantly if boys and girls are educated separately. The tragedies are an eye opener for all those Muslim parents who send their children to state schools where they are exposed to non-Muslim teachers who have no respect for Islamic faith and Muslim community and do not understand the needs and demands of the Muslim children. Muslim schools are crucial for Muslim children because western education makes a man/woman stupid. The hypocrisy of the Western society is clearly seen whereas an Australian Judge failed to jail nine males who admitted gang-raping a 10-year old aborigine girl in 2005, saying the victim probably agreed to have sex with them and a UNICEF Photo of the year shows, a bridegroom, 40, with his 11-year old bride in Afghanistan. In my opinion, a UNICEF photo of the year must show a nine year British girl having a baby and another photo showing a gang of teenage girls with anti-social behaviour and vomiting out side a pub, thanks to binge drinking. Muslim children need state funded Muslim schools with Muslim teachers as role models during their developmental periods. Muslim schools are the solutions and not a problem. They help to strengthen community cohesion, not undermine it. Muslim schools stand as shining beacons of light, serving as one of the most crucial factors which protect Muslim children from the onslaught of Eurocentricism, homosexuality, racism and secular values and traditions. They need to be well versed in Standard English to follow the National Curriculum and go for higher studies and research to serve humanity. At the same time they need to be well versed in Arabic, Urdu and other community languages to keep in touch with their cultural roots and enjoy the beauty of their literature and poetry. Muslim schools are not only faith schools but also bilingual schools. Infact, bilingualism is an asset and not a problem as perceived by the British education system. There is a positive co-relation between language and culture. English language is associated with western culture.
The silent majority of Muslim parents would like to send their children to Muslim schools but there are not enough schools to go by. The only alternative left is either British Government should introduce voucher system for parents to choose the school of their choice or designate all those state schools as Muslim community schools where Muslim pupils are in majority. There are hundreds of state schools where Muslims are in majority. Such schools may be handed over to Muslim educational Trusts or charities for their management. They are in a better position to educate Muslim children in accordance with their needs and demands. This demand is in accordance with the law of the land because there are state schools already managed by private companies. Muslim community is not asking for a favour. It is their legal right.
IA
London School of Islamics Trust
Fasaad will come from them and Fasaad will go back to them.
Not even their followers respect them enough to give heed to their fatwa’s. Who are they fooling? They tought their followers this, now they can’t stop it. Now in the eyes of the world they want to pass fatwa’s, that doesn’t hold water, to their own followers. How sad a situation this is for them doing this in the name of Islam.
Pity on that girl! How many girls you have murdered for similar fatwas and now you are pretending to be generous enough to give an alternate fatwa?? Less literate community of Pakistan is now used to your older fatwas of honour killing and won’t understand a sudden change. Teachings of Islam came 1400 years ago, Quran and Hadith are the true teaching and code of life…no need for maulvis to give fatwas!
They did a big sin by killing that girl and that’s what our teachings says, no need of any mullah to tell or claim that!
At last they the Mullah’s declared it a crime. But the level of insanity on which this Nation has been brought under their supervision and guidance, no Fatwa will do any good.
It is they who have tirelessly from decades taught them to violate the law on every little disagreement with the government.
It is them that support the criminals that kill innocent people in the name of Islam. And protect them and make sure they are released.