Iliad: The double standard in honor killing
Dr Liaqat Ali
In light of the horrific honor killings of a Baloch girl, a medical student in Rawalpindi, and little Sana Yousaf from Chitral, we see a grim reality. This issue spans the entire geographical landscape of Pakistan. The public outcry and the subsequent actions by the higher judiciary remind me of the classic poem, the Iliad by Homer. This poem tells the epic story of Troy and the Trojan horse. Though written in Greek, it is a part of the oldest satirical Latin text and remains widely read today. The Iliad centers on the final events of Troy and features the themes of bravery and honor killing. Ultimately, the Greeks sacrificed Princess Polyxena at Achilles’ tomb as part of the toll of war.
Love is a universal feeling, and marriage is a legal agreement between a man and a woman that creates a moral, cultural, and religious bond. Male-dominated Jirgas and cultural gatherings often play a significant role in honor killings. These groups reflect the hypocritical nature of men, who otherwise celebrate epic love stories like Heer Ranjha, Sassi Panoon, Laila Majoon, and Yousaf Shehr Bano. Ajab Khan Afridi is still hailed as a hero in tribal areas for abducting an English girl. Such a forced marriage can lead to a tragic honor killing.
This dual standard highlights a fault line among three critical pillars of society: religion, the judicial system, and culture.
According to Islamic teachings, both the bride and groom must agree to the marriage. Additionally, the consent of the girl’s legal guardian – her father or grandfather – is required before the Nikah to be recited. Without this consent, the marriage is deemed wrong and un-Islamic. However, even if the guardian does not agree, religion does not permit honor killing. The guardian can report the concealed marriage, and the girl is treated as a divorcee. Capital punishment is under the jurisdiction of the state, not individuals or mobs.
The selective interpretation of religion has led to mob justice and honor killings. If we survey religious scholars and tribal leaders about whether they uphold the rights of mothers, daughters, and sisters as stated in Sura Al Nisa of the Holy Quran, the results would likely disappoint the public. The concept of “Honor” is abstract in any religion, and cultural norms should not be labeled as “Honor”, especially since they cannot be generalized to only women.
Regarding the judiciary, Ameer Taimoor famously said, “Justice without power is useless; power without justice is tyranny.” This is true for our judicial system, where delays and failures in delivering justice are common. We rarely see offenders in honor killing cases face consequences due to weak prosecution and a slow judicial process. If the judiciary cannot protect victims, it may be wise for the legislature to require legal guardian consent in marriage documentation. Cultural power without justice only leads to pain and sorrow.
The connection between culture, religious support, and a failing judicial system is highlighted by the term “Paighoor”, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. This taunt carries weight through generations, and sadly, the cultural landscape of Pakistan is trapped by the stigma of “Paighoor”. For families, this societal pressure can drive them to take the law into their own hands, resulting in tragic outcomes like that of the Baloch girl, who stated, “Only you can shoot me.”
The solution lies in a meeting of all four pillars of the state to reform laws and promote awareness, all while presenting a positive image of religion. We must implement justice with power. If we fail, we will find ourselves grieving yet again after another honor killing. The nation will also face legislative divisions, as we recently witnessed in the Senate of Pakistan.
The writer is a clinician, medical educator, and researcher. He serves as a professor of urology at the Institute of Kidney Diseases (IKD), Hayatabad Medical Complex (HMC), Peshawar. He can be reached at: liaqatikd@gmail.com.
Related Posts
Comments