The prevailing patriarchal and misogynist practices prevailing in Muslim countries have created an association between Muslim countries and honour killing in the public mind. However, according to UNICEF, the practice of honour killing is an ancient one and involves men killing female relatives in the name of family honour for forced or suspected sexual activity outside marriage, even when the women have been victims of rape.

Such honour killings are justified by quoting Sura 4:15. A man who kills his wife, mother, daughter or sister for sexual indiscretion or for eloping (both acts that are regarded as bringing dishonour to the family) is either lightly fined or immune from prosecution.

What is true of forced marriages is also true of the horrific practice of ‘honour’ killings, a term that acts as a fig leaf for the (often premeditated) murder of young women who have supposedly brought ‘shame’ to the honour of families.

Honour killing

Meaning

Noun

Synonyms