Father found guilty in honor killing By PAISLEY DODDS, Associated Press Writer
1 hour, 9 minutes ago
LONDON - A father who ordered his daughter brutally slain for falling in love with the wrong man in a so-called "honor killing" was found guilty of murder on Monday.
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Banaz Mahmod, 20, was strangled with a boot lace, stuffed into a suitcase and buried in a back garden.
Her death is the latest in an increasing trend of such killings in Britain, home to some 1.8 million Muslims. More than 100 homicides are under investigation as potential "honor killings."
Mahmod Mahmod, 52, and his brother Ari Mahmod, 51, planned the killing during a family meeting, prosecutors told the court. Two others have pleaded guilty in the case. Two more suspects have fled the country. Sentencing is expected later this month.
The men accused the young woman of shaming her family by ending an abusive arranged marriage, becoming too Westernized and falling in love with a man who didn't come from their Iraqi village. The Kurdish family came to Britain in 1998 when Banaz Mahmod was 11.
"She was my present, my future, my hope," said Rahmat Suleimani, 29, Banaz Mahmod's boyfriend.
During the three-month trial, prosecutors said Mahmod's father beat his daughter for using hairspray and adopting other Western ways. Her uncle once told her she would have been "turned to ashes" if she were his daughter and had shamed the family by becoming involved with the Iranian Kurd, her sister 22-year-old Bekhal Mahmod testified.
Banaz Mahmod ran away from home when she was a teenager but returned when her father sent her an audio tape in which he warned he would kill her sisters, her mother and himself if she did not come home, her sister said.
She was later hospitalized after her brother attacked her, the sister told the court. The brother said he had been paid by their father to finish her off but in the end was unable to do it, said the sister, who testified in a full black burqa. She said she still feared for her own life.
The years of Banaz Mahmod's abuse were compounded by police officers who repeatedly dismissed her cries for help.
She first went to police in December 2005, saying she suspected her uncle was trying to kill her and her boyfriend. She sent police a letter naming the men who she thought would later kill her.
On New Year's Eve, she was lured by her father to her grandmother's home, where she suspected he planned to attack her after he forced her to gulp down brandy and approached her while wearing gloves. She escaped by breaking a window and was treated at a hospital.
Police dismissed her suspicions, and one officer, who is under investigation, considered charging her with damages for breaking her grandmother's window.
Laying in her hospital bed after the escape, Mahmod recorded a dramatic video message saying she was "really scared."
The videotape, taken by her boyfriend at the hospital, was shown to the jury during the trial.
After she was released from the hospital, she returned home and tried to convince her family she had stopped seeing her boyfriend.
But friends told the family they spotted the couple together on Jan. 22, 2006.
Soon after, a group of men allegedly approached her boyfriend and tried to lure him into a car but he refused. It was that event that prompted Banaz Mahmod to go to police again. This time officers tried to persuade her to stay in a safe house. She refused, believing that her mother would protect her.
But her mother and father left her alone in the house the next day. Her boyfriend alerted police after time passed in which she failed to send him text messages.
Her body wasn't discovered until three months later after police tracked phone records.
Britain has seen more than 25 women killed by their Muslim relatives in the past decade for offenses they believed brought shame on the family. More than 100 other homicides are under investigation as potential honor killings.
Some Muslim communities in Britain practice Sharia, or strict Islamic law.
"We're seeing an increase around the world, due in part to the rise in Islamic fundamentalism," said Diana Nammi with the London-based Iranian and Kurdish Women's Rights Organization.
I can understand this happening in a Sharia ruled country, because the people and the women should expect this type of reaction, but this happening in a secular society that does not condone or support this sort of behavior is exactly why Muslims in the UK are getting the reputation they have, if you wish to live in our societies you should forget about such acts of violence.
"War does not determine who is right - only who is left."
- Bertrand Russell
"He who fears being conquered is sure of defeat." - Napoleon Bonaparte
"There is nothing so likely to produce peace as to be well prepared to meet the
enemy." - George Washington
Honor killing isn't a part of Islamic law. Besides, any executions are performed by the state, not private individuals as that is tantamount to vigilantism.
That is truly a sad story. May this evil practise be abolished!
Some Muslim communities in Britain practice Sharia, or strict Islamic law.
"We're seeing an increase around the world, due in part to the rise in Islamic fundamentalism," said Diana Nammi with the London-based Iranian and Kurdish Women's Rights Organization.
What an idiot... just reading this blatant lie makes me wonder if the rest of the article is factual...
Any executions are performed by the state, not private individuals as that is tantamount to vigilantism.
And that is only if the person is actually guilty of the crime and has been exposed by the appropriate witnesses and all that stuff! I doubt any of the women killed in honour killings would ahve been executed under Islamic law (or even the men for that matter, assuming they are ever the targets of such killings).
This is horrid. This is the sort of thing that makes me anti-religious.
And as an aside, are you telling me you would support this had the state killed this woman for this reason instead of her father?
I'm just telling you how it would work under a different system. Whether or not you agree with that system is your prerogative. I don't know the ins and outs of Sharia Law, but I know enough that so-called honour killings are prohibited.
Under this system, UK law, such actions are completely illegal. This guy should be punished. There's no honour in killing your own flesh and blood.
This is horrid. This is the sort of thing that makes me anti-religious.
And as an aside, are you telling me you would support this had the state killed this woman for this reason instead of her father?
Under Islamic law, adultery (i.e. a married person has a sexual relationship, all the way, with a person who is not his or her spouse) is punishable by death, on the condition that the act, and I mean the whole act of penetration, is witnessed by four righteous people.
Any less evidence than this and the person who makes the claim against the man/woman will be punished themselves for accusing someone of adultery without the witnesses (even if they are telling the truth).
This is horrid. This is the sort of thing that makes me anti-religious.
are you sure it is religion? i would rather say that this is very old, world-wide concept that male "honor" depends on behaviour of his female relatives and wife.
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.
I cant believe that they tied it in with Islam and I cant believe how they killed her and put her in a suit case, I mean, dang, how could anyone do that.
edit:
On New Year's Eve, she was lured by her father to her grandmother's home, where she suspected he planned to attack her after he forced her to gulp down brandy and approached her while wearing gloves.
Yes because Muslims always have abit of brandy in the house.
The path is long but I hope we meet,
After the grave and the Day, in paradise in bliss upon a reclined seat.
A traveler traveling - travelled from shirk to tawheed,
If I'm remembered for anything - let it be the Mercy I seek.
Under Islamic law, adultery (i.e. a married person has a sexual relationship, all the way, with a person who is not his or her spouse) is punishable by death, on the condition that the act, and I mean the whole act of penetration, is witnessed by four righteous people.
Any less evidence than this and the person who makes the claim against the man/woman will be punished themselves for accusing someone of adultery without the witnesses (even if they are telling the truth).
This should be added to in that only the person who is married is punished with death. If either party is unmarried..or if a couple is unmarried, then its 100 lashes...again though the four righteous witnesses are required.
Britain has seen more than 25 women killed by their Muslim relatives in the past decade for offenses they believed brought shame on the family. More than 100 other homicides are under investigation as potential honor killings.
I can understand this happening in a Sharia ruled country, because the people and the women should expect this type of reaction, but this happening in a secular society that does not condone or support this sort of behavior is exactly why Muslims in the UK are getting the reputation they have, if you wish to live in our societies you should forget about such acts of violence.
So out of the how many million Muslims there is some who culturally do this, look at the figures, more than 25, OVER THE PAST DECADE, and there are more being looked at. Now, although one is bad enough, and I do agree it is, someone then using these figures to say 'this sort of behavior is exactly why Muslims in the UK are getting the reputation they have' that's just stupid, am sorry but it is, did even half of the over One Million Muslims commit such acts? Even a quater? Wanna give people reputation according to acts which a minority in the group might do which is not even part of the group's system, ok, if someone said 'seriously, Christians need to stop being so homosexual, I mean priests and so forth, this is an abomination, this is why you christians will get the homosexual reputation!'
It wouldn't be fair.
The path is long but I hope we meet,
After the grave and the Day, in paradise in bliss upon a reclined seat.
A traveler traveling - travelled from shirk to tawheed,
If I'm remembered for anything - let it be the Mercy I seek.
This should be added to in that only the person who is married is punished with death. If either party is unmarried..or if a couple is unmarried, then its 100 lashes...again though the four righteous witnesses are required.
the thing is that some people follow this but they should consider about the place they live at and the rules as well........and as far as I know people who do not follow this actually get the ones who commited adultery married as soon as possible and ask for forgiveness from God (Allah)
This is sick.. so sick! so sick! i still remember of the girl whos video got leaked and when it reached her brother.. he took her back to their country and shot her! she hadnt suspected a thing...!
Truth is, evil exists everywhere in the world.. u cant mould a teaching of religion and take it in ur own hands.. there is so much that depends on every verse from the Qur'an.. this can only be dun but this this this and this applies too.. like sis Medina83 said..
It is a petty crime .. people who commit these crimes are not psychologically aware of their actions and what will be the result.. for example: the girl had a forced marriage and then it didnt work out.. why force her to start with? they ruled out islamic recommendations from their life then... anything they done after is the consequences of it... one wrong step.. leads to many wrongs unless repented for.. It is easy to have children but raising them is a complete different issue. Its so funny, these people must have been so occupied with migrating to UK and setting claims right that the girl probably did not get the attention that was required. She was exposed to a whole different life without probably being prepared for it (we'll never know!) Its like if i take my child to a safari park and leave him/her open to the animals.. If i dont teach him/her of what to look out, my child would be playing with the tigers.. (or eaten!)
Its sad but this is a situation which they lost control of and this was the only way they saw through it... so wrong!
This is just another article for the readers but the story behind it holds the real reason to why ppl behave in such a way..
Ya Allah! Help us, Guide us and keep us on the righteous path!
Wsalamaleykum
Lets make history, before we become history!
~|*~*|~*~|*~*|~*~|*~*|~
The best of dua's is "Astaghfirullah" .. "Oh Allah! Forgive me"
------------------
Oppression or Liberation, I'll decide
~|*~*|~*~|*~*|~*~|*~*|~
"Am I GoNa Ma|<e iT tHroUgH, aNd is My TimE cOMing SoOn, I WONDER!"
are you sure it is religion? i would rather say that this is very old, world-wide concept that male "honor" depends on behaviour of his female relatives and wife.
Could be.
Either way, I'm just appalled this sort of thing still happens. How can fathers or brothers kill their daughters or sisters? For 'honour'? For 'shame'? That's bull!
This is horrid. This is the sort of thing that makes me anti-religious.
And as an aside, are you telling me you would support this had the state killed this woman for this reason instead of her father?
this is the sort of thing that makes you anti religious? what has this murder got to do with religion? the father kill his own daughter plain and simple , religion did not take part in this at all, just because he was a muslim it does not mean his faith played a role in the murder? you need to stop displaying this attitude that religion has to be accountable , and if your anti religious what on earth are you doing on this islamic board , everything here is just about religion it self..............
Under Islamic law, adultery (i.e. a married person has a sexual relationship, all the way, with a person who is not his or her spouse) is punishable by death, on the condition that the act, and I mean the whole act of penetration, is witnessed by four righteous people.
Any less evidence than this and the person who makes the claim against the man/woman will be punished themselves for accusing someone of adultery without the witnesses (even if they are telling the truth).
Does Islamic law apply to non-muslims too? I couldn't live under that. A risk of being put to death for sleeping with a girl that I'm not married to...
No.well in theory no.But some laws may ,like security laws,etc.and in NM countries we are supposed to live by the NM's laws.
whether is it an Islamic practice or not I will give you a hint:Its practiced all over South Asia(in the villages and rural areas mostly) by Hindus,Sikhs and Muslims alike.
I can understand this happening in a Sharia ruled country, because the people and the women should expect this type of reaction,
its cultural,not religious.Instead of saying a Sharia ruled country you can say a culturally sensitive country.haven't you heard of stories about Non-Muslim men who killed their wives after they found out they were being cheated?Its similar if not same to honour killings.Its true this is disturbing for the British,and you have my sympathy.you people should have a control over immigration.
I am planning to show some honour killings done by Non-Muslims.I am tired of this type of Islam bashing.I know the British are frustrated over such uncivilized actions done in their own country,but they should think first before they say anything.I am not saying you shouldn't criticize these people.you should.just don't connect this to the religion because it isn't.
and you will also find some honour killings are done if the woman gets raped;nothing religious,totally cultural.
Last edited by Bittersteel; 06-12-2007 at 01:58 PM.
Some Muslim communities in Britain practice Sharia, or strict Islamic law.
"We're seeing an increase around the world, due in part to the rise in Islamic fundamentalism," said Diana Nammi with the London-based Iranian and Kurdish Women's Rights Organization.
Due to part in rise of islamic fundamentalism? what load of crap!
All this is nothing but cultural ignorance. This pratice is common in japan, china and even india where hindus have known to burn their daughters alive for falling in love with a muslim, christian, sikh or a hindu of lower cast. This has nothing to do with religion and everything to do with culture.
Just last weak in Tecas a 23yr old mother hanged her self and her 4 kids aged 5yrs to 8months. Did we hear anyone say it's a christian woman who did it cuase of religion? These media people, human rights group or islamicphobic speakers need to get a fricken life.
Does Islamic law apply to non-muslims too? I couldn't live under that. A risk of being put to death for sleeping with a girl that I'm not married to...
Muslims live under non-muslim law and can't even have it's own law to govern personal matters. yet non-Muslims living in Muslim lands today (not even shariah based rule) and yet they have been given the freedom to have their own laws for personal lives like weddings, burials, and eveything else other than the common country laws. So much as that even saudi where religious police tells muslim women to cover up doesn't say much to non-muslims who walk in the street without covering up.
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