The apparent “honour killing†of Aqsa Parvez may represent Canada’s first high-profile clash with the customs of conservative Islam. The full details of the killing are not yet available and other aggravating factors (e.g. Mohammed Parvez’s mental health) have not been discussed publicly. What is clear from news reports is that Aqsa’s refusal to wear a hijab was the catalyst to her murder and that her friends sensed that her home conflicts could quickly spin out of control.
The religious aspect of this family conflict has predictably attracted all manner of xenophobes, rednecks, neo-cons and Islamophobes. Without a doubt, the radical strain of Islam played a role in Parvez’s killing, but removing this aggravating factor leaves the following domestic scenario:
- Parents want daughter to live and dress according to their generational and cultural standards
- Daughter wants to live and dress according to modern, local standards
- Parents refuse to budge, daughter refuses to budge
- Daughter moves out to pursue her own life path
- Parents go apocalyptic
As noted by an astute poster at Jack’s NewsWatch, the previous scenario could easily describe the experience of 2nd generation Greek and Italian women. Chinese women have long complained about family pressure uphold “traditional values†while non-Muslim African women constantly struggle to free themselves from the patriarchic culture of their ancestral land. Young ladies with locally-born parents still must deal with generational conflicts, causing a significant number to move out long before finishing high school (if they finish high school).
The Islamic world may offer a significantly uglier version of this conflict but that is hardly the same as saying that the conflict is unique to Muslims. Aqsa’s murder must be treated as a criminal act, first and foremost. WHY her father killed her is secondary to the fact that he did it – not out of self defense or mercy, but rage and indignation.
If found guilty, Mohammed Parvez should be treated as a common criminal and nothing more. Over-emphasizing the religious aspect of this case will make Parvez a martyr for the Islamic cause rather than a pariah. Moreover, encouraging local bigots will only marginalize the non-violent Muslim majority, who will reflexively provide cover to all members of their faith (including the radicals). Conversely, if Mr. Parvez is given a fair trial, convicted and sentenced without the case being hijacked into a referendum on Islam, Canada will have sent a clear message to all religious radicals: there is ONE law in this land and everyone is subject to it regardless of their ancestral or chosen customs. Canada has one chance to solidify the distinction between religious and legal authority before activists on both sides of the multiculturalism debate turn this tragic domestic abuse case into a political circus.
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