Honor Killings in the United States
Abstract
“Honor Killings” are thought to be a justified way of cleansing an individual or family’s honor, by many Arab Muslims and radical followers of Islam through the murder of women. In Arab culture, where honor is prized and female sexual purity exalted, a family can be cast out if a female member brings shame upon them. “Honor Killings, were once thought to only happen in Middle Eastern countries such as Yemen, Pakistan and Iraq, however there is an increased number of “honor killings” being reported right here in the United States. As individuals immigrate from various cultures and religious backgrounds, traditions and ways of thinking are often brought into the United States. Muslim women are expected to act in a certain manner, and are male family members decide which manner that may be and inflict punishment on those who reject or defy these manners. These radical Islamist believe they are justified in their actions because they are following their interpretation of the Quran- the holy book of Islam. With anti-Arab and anti-Muslim sentiments already at an all-time high in the United States, “honor killings” may often fuel this racism.
According to the AHA Foundation, a non-profit group dedicated to the eradication of religious or culturally sanctioned violence against women, “Honor violence is a form of violence against women committed with the motive of protecting or regaining the honor of the perpetrator, family, or community. Victims of honor violence are targeted because their actual or perceived behavior is deemed to be shameful or to violate cultural or religious norms. (AHA Foundation)” The exact origins of honor killings are not known, though most of these crimes occur in the Middle East, South Asia, and North Africa. Currently, there is an increasing number of “honor killings” being reported here in the United States. Why are these “honor killings” now being committed here in the United States? Is this a racially or culturally
“Honor Killings” are thought to be a justified way of cleansing an individual or family’s honor, by many Arab Muslims and radical followers of Islam through the murder of women. In Arab culture, where honor is prized and female sexual purity exalted, a family can be cast out if a female member brings shame upon them. “Honor Killings, were once thought to only happen in Middle Eastern countries such as Yemen, Pakistan and Iraq, however there is an increased number of “honor killings” being reported right here in the United States. As individuals immigrate from various cultures and religious backgrounds, traditions and ways of thinking are often brought into the United States. Muslim women are expected to act in a certain manner, and are male family members decide which manner that may be and inflict punishment on those who reject or defy these manners. These radical Islamist believe they are justified in their actions because they are following their interpretation of the Quran- the holy book of Islam. With anti-Arab and anti-Muslim sentiments already at an all-time high in the United States, “honor killings” may often fuel this racism.
According to the AHA Foundation, a non-profit group dedicated to the eradication of religious or culturally sanctioned violence against women, “Honor violence is a form of violence against women committed with the motive of protecting or regaining the honor of the perpetrator, family, or community. Victims of honor violence are targeted because their actual or perceived behavior is deemed to be shameful or to violate cultural or religious norms. (AHA Foundation)” The exact origins of honor killings are not known, though most of these crimes occur in the Middle East, South Asia, and North Africa. Currently, there is an increasing number of “honor killings” being reported here in the United States. Why are these “honor killings” now being committed here in the United States? Is this a racially or culturally
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