Azam Kamguian

Each year hundreds—possibly thousands—of women are killed by their relatives to preserve family “honor.” Women are killed for a wide variety of perceived immoral offenses, including marital infidelity, “allowing” oneself to be raped, seeking a divorce, or even failing to serve a meal on time. Many of these killings, which often go unreported and unpunished, occur in Muslim nations and in Muslim communities in Western nations. In the following viewpoint Azam Kamguian argues that honor killing is in part a reflection of Islamic laws and values. She claims that those who perpetuate honor killings often use Islamic concepts and passages from Islam’s sacred writings to justify the practice. Kamguian is a writer whose works include Islam, Women, Challenges and Perspectives. She is the chairperson for...