An In-Depth Look at Honor Killings

Each year, an estimated 5,000 women and girls are killed, often by a male family member because she allegedly brought dishonor to her family. These honor killings are global, occurring in Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States, the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

The "guilty" woman might be a victim of rape or incest, her husband may have left, or she might have worn inappropriate clothing. In some jurisdictions, the man who murdered the woman walks free or has a negligible punishment because it was an "honor killing."

Honor killings are not necessarily related to Islam but are instead tribal. Sometimes they are conducted by Christians or other believers who are influenced by their culture.

Al Jareeza's Riz Khan prepared a special report on what needs to be done to end the practice of honor-based violence and murder.

D. Beeksma

One of the growing crowd of American "nones" herself, Deborah is a prolific writer who finds religion, spirituality and the impact of belief (and non-belief) on culture inspiring, fascinating and at times, disturbing. She hosts the God Discussion show and handles the site's technical work. Her education and background is in business, ecommerce and law.

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