No “Honor” In Father Killing Daughter

Chaudhry Rashad was so outraged at his daughter, Sandela Kanwal, and her plans for divorce that he strangled the 25-year-old woman.  This “honor killing” took place over the weekend in Clayton County, Georgia.  Rashad told police that he killed his daughter as a matter of honor, because he felt her plans for divorce would have disgraced the family.

The victim had been forced into an arranged marriage and had not seen her husband for months.  One local Muslim leader said the father murdered the daughter because he was depressed – but, according to the United Nations Population Fund, at least 5,000 women are victims of “honor murders” each year.

Damage to a Muslim daughter’s “honor” is considered a great humiliation to the Muslim cultural-religious tradition of such immigrant families.  Such dishonor comes from the young woman refusing to wear a hijab, having a non-Muslim boyfriend, being sexually active, rejecting arranged marriages, aggressively seeking employment and education, and attempting to assimilate into Western culture.

Residents of Lewisville, Texas were shocked on January 1^st to hear about the brutal murder of teenage sisters Sarah and Amina Said. The two Muslim girls were found shot to death in a taxi.  Their father allegedly murdered them in an “honor killing” because the girls were becoming too westernized.  In December, 2007 another honor killing took place in Mississauga, Ontario.  Sixteen-year-old Aqsa Parvez was strangled to death by her Pakistani father who opposed her westernized social life.

Representatives of many Muslim groups in the US and Canada try to downplay the cultural-religious angle of these killings because of their interest in promoting Sharia law here.  Criticism is met with accusations of Islamophobia.  Yet, these are not simple acts of domestic violence like those that take place in all communities. They are specific to Muslim religion and culture.

How long will this oppression of the rights of young Muslim women be allowed to continue in the US?  Why aren’t women’s rights organizations leading the charge to ensure the safety and rights of Muslim women?  Could it be that political correctness and multiculturalism have rendered these organizations impotent on this issue?  How many more young women will have to die here before Muslim immigration into the U.S. is reconsidered and tighter screening policies enacted?

How are we going to respond to the “honor murders” of Muslim girls in America and other Western nations?  Consider some of the victims: Banaz Mahmood, Hatin Surucu , Aqsa Parvez , Caneze Riaz, 39, and her four daughters, Sayrah, 16, Sophia, 15, Alicia, 10, and Hannah, 3, Tahira Bibi, Samaira Nazir, Hina Salem, Methal Dayem, Sazan Bajez-Abdulluh , Rudayena Jemael, Hesha Yones, Souad, Ibtihaz Hasoun , Fadime Sahindal, Zahida Peeveen, Ghazala Khan.

Do You Wish For Peace In Times Of Trouble?

“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him.  You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.” (John 14:16-17, ESV)

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.  Not as the world gives do I give to you.  Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:26-27, ESV)

Jesus promises encouragement even though the world continues in its troubles.  The world system opposes God by its unbelief.  The Christian, however, is not to fear because he has received a Helper.  Jesus does not leave us alone or on our own.  The Holy Spirit is sufficient to help us in whatever trials we face.  We may be confident in a hostile world.

The Spirit of truth is only for and within Christians.  The Holy Spirit brings to our remembrance what Jesus has taught (Bible).  With the assurance of Jesus’ words, He brings us peace in the midst of turmoil and trouble.  Many of us are plagued with anxiety or worry.  It has become a habit in our way of living.  The only fear of any significance, however, is the fear of the living God.  “So we can confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?'” (Hebrews 13:6, ESV)

The Helper has come to seal the promise of Christ.  For Jesus has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5, ESV)  If you are a Christian, He is even with you right now as you read these words.  The presence of troubles does not mean that Christ has abandoned you.  God has promised, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.” (Isaiah 43:2, ESV)  Will the Christian have troubles in this world?  Yes, but the Helper is here with you to encourage you in your circumstances by pointing you to Christ.  Jesus has told us that, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33, ESV)  Only in Christ do we find peace.