Did system fail 16-year-old Muslim girl murdered by father?
Dear Editor:
re: Did system fail 16-year-old Muslim girl murdered by father?
Whenever a deeply religious father kills his offspring or his wife for not following the strict dictates of his religion, the act is called an ‘honour killing’.
The United Nations estimate that at least 5 000 women a year are killed for committing an act of adultery, or defying religious tradition, or, by innocent acts (such as talking to another man) and bringing shame to the family. The numbers are an estimate, since it is, in fact, impossible to accurately tally the actual figures. Sadly, a great many honour killings go unreported, the murdering father or husband often going unpunished.
Aqsa Parvez, a sixteen-year-old Mississauga High School student, was slain by her father on December 10 because she didn’t want to wear the hijab in accordance to her father’s Muslim faith.
Such an ‘honour killing’ would have likely gone unreported if it had happened in a Muslim country, where such practices are condoned and approved by the state. But this is Canada, and Canada’s laws embrace the foundation that each individual has the right to choose his or her own convictions, even if they don’t quite match those of the parents. And so, Aqsa Parvez’s murder -for that is what it was; there was no ‘honour’ in such a killing- bring to the forefront the inherent conflict between Western culture’s freedom of choice, and the restrictions imposed by religious fundamentalism. As uncomfortable a subject as this is, the conflict between Canadian values and religious extremism must be confronted head-on. Perhaps it is time for our government to review our immigration policies and require that upon becoming a Canadian citizen, you accept to espouse the laws and rights allowed to every Canadian, respecting the right of every individual to have convictions, opinions and choices that differ from your own, without fear of reprisal. And that applies especially when that individual is your child or spouse.
Just a thought. Wonderful article.
Marc Ouellette
