On the Murder of Aqsa Parvez
The reaction on the Muslim blogosphere to the circumstances surrounding death of the teen Aqsa Parvez has been one of natural horror and disdain. Although much issue has been made about her alledged refusal to wear the hijab, at least one news story reports that this may not have been the exact motive for her murder. May Allah grant her peace, and heal her broken family. Here are a selection of blog entries on this sad topic:
Inevitably, the first thing that seems to be expected of us is a condemnation of this man’s actions. And so here it is, my condemnation: What happened to Aqsa Pervez was WRONG, was not an “honour crime” but was, like all such crimes, dishonourable. It was, without a doubt, unIslamic. Nothing in the Shari’ah says that a girl may be killed if she removes her hijaab. But you know what’s even sadder? My condemnation is not purely sorrowful. It is tinged - more than tinged, it is stained - with anger at those who demand such a condemnation from me. Why, why, WHY is it that whenever someone who is Muslim, or has a Muslim-sounding name, does something… it’s automatically blamed on Islam?
Discourses of a Highly Indebted Student:
Daughters and sisters are gifts from God. I have younger siblings, none of whom are sisters. I have always wished that I had a older or younger sister because it seems like they always bring happiness and joy into the house. And I am pretty sure I can attribute my desire to have a daughter once I get married. Truly, they are gems. I can understand a father’s desire to not only protect his daughter but to have her conform to a belief system which is in her best interest. But to go to such an extent where one would be driven into a murderous rage is beyond comprehendable.
In reading the various media reports regading this incident, a number of questions do come up, however. Just how “devout” were they? Was their devotion more cultural or was it religous? […] What of the girl’s (Islamic) upbringing, or was there any at all? What of her parents’ (Islamic) upbringing? Was she taught why the hijâb was obligated, or was she told she simply had to wear it without any explanation at all? How much of an influence were her non-Muslim friends? How about her Muslim friends? How much of this was really about the hijâb and how much of it was really about cultural pride or honour? These are all questions that are relevant to the situation that need to be answered before any of us can justly comment on what happened.
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