14 May, 2007 | Leave a Comment
I wanted to post a few links to recent news stories concerning the public stoning and murder of Du’a Khalil Aswad:
ABC News seems to be one of the only mainstream news outlets to have covered this story. “The Dishonorable Death of Doa.” From the story: “Women in Kurdistan and Iraq are oppressed. The few rights they do have are very limited and in most cases they are treated as subhuman. Killings, suicide, and violence against women are an everyday occurrence in this region.”
Voice of America’s article quotes Yousif Aziz, the Kurdistan Regional Government’s “human rights” minister (that’s laughable), as saying about honor killings: “I think it takes place daily, some [women] are killed, some burn themselves, so there are many cases.” Apparently, many women who have “dishonored” their families light themselves on fire and commit “suicide.” A woman who runs a women’s center in the region is quoted as saying that since the video footage of Dua’s murder began to circulate, honor killings have increased. “Since the seventh of April, so many women have been killed. So many women, it has just been packed, packed with killing women. Because it just made it okay. When people saw that, people who have got this idea about killing a woman for whatever the reason: whether she did not listen to you, did not obey your orders, did not want to get married to so and so. Well then, if that happens then I can do the same thing.”
This editorial from Arabic journalist Diana Mukkaled is interesting. The last paragraph is chilling.
The murder of a 17-year-old girl here in Britain last Friday has all the hallmarks of an honor killing. From the Daily Mail.
While researching this issue of honor killings in Britain, I found a BBC news article from last September. According to their poll, 1 in 10 British Asians believe that honor killings are acceptable. The government estimates that 13 women in the UK die each year as a result of honor killings, but support groups say this number is way too low.
Most of the links in this post came from the website of the International Campaign to Stop Honour Killings, which offers a wealth of information on this issue.
My previous posts on this story: one, two, three, four. Sign the petition.
[tags]Dua Khalil Aswad, honor killings, honour killings[/tags]
Anglofille said @ 5:06 pm | feminism | 36 Comments
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Divalicious Says:
May 18th, 2007 at 10:11 pmI just saw the video of Dua’s murder, it made me sick to my stomach to see how police and bystanders looked on as she was killed. I hope action will be taken agaisnt every single man who was involved in her death, and the cowards who looked on doing nothing. and their so-called religion is a joke. They’ll all have their day with God one way or another
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AmericanMan Says:
May 19th, 2007 at 3:16 am“W” got us into this God forsaken “war” and the only true way to end it is to nuke the place and let God sort it out. It is unfortunate but think about it. These barbarians have been warring with each other in the same way for over 1,000 years without any form of enlightenment. The U.S. has poured over a trillion dollars into driving democracy to no avail. The only realistic alternative is to give them a fresh start. Unleash the nukes and let God sort it out. At the very least, execute every male in the country. Nothing short of this seems to work on those miserable bastards.
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Green King Says:
May 19th, 2007 at 4:15 amScrew all the religions and societies of the world, they have brough more sin then had eradicated. Impured the human mind more, them had made it cleared. Most of the religious gods, great scientists had to think contrary of the prevalent, and had to suffer.
Down with religions. and Up with Love
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AsianMan Says:
May 19th, 2007 at 4:31 amThis thing make me sick. I didn’t know that there are people who can kill their own.. Only insane people can do this act.
I can’t see how this people can’t value lives of other.
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Rebecca Says:
May 19th, 2007 at 4:44 amAmericanMan: Unfortunately, they don’t make nukes that selectively only kill murderous bastards yet. They currently can only make nukes that obliterate everyone (either immediately or through many years of suffering). Until the day comes that they can make a murderous-bastard-only-killing-nuke, nukes really are not a viable answer to helping Iraqi citizens who just want to live a normal life.
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Liberty & Justice for all Says:
May 19th, 2007 at 8:11 amUnfortunately, from the ancient of times, these men don’t understand how being nice or doing good will help break the cycle of anger, revenge and evil. From the begining, ottoman empire had to be physically conquered, in order to undertand right from wrong. Let me put it this way, “These people only listen, if you hit them on the head, and hit hard.” They have been brought up this way, and seriously, only God can change them. Hopefully it’ll be soon, because this is getting simply ridiculous. Your own family will kill a child that you’ve brought up (SICK). Let the girl date outside of the group….. I cried when I saw that clip……
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This is barbaric and so very very sad, rest in peace now, little Du’a.
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abhi Says:
May 20th, 2007 at 6:46 amHow I wish they had something to kill all these coward bastards watching this happen.C’mon,she is a 17 yr old kid.She doesnt know religion,kurds is,she was innocent.And her own family killed her.I will give my life for my own kid,how can someone kill his own daughter.In the end,believe me,kill all these muslim pigs..nuke them.I know some more innocent Dua Khalil’s might be killed but not in this sick way.She was young with dreams and such a beautiful girl.
I hope islam is wiped out from this world.These innocent girls should be converted to hinduism or christianaty and let them marry whom they want to.In one way its good that she was killed,atleast she doesnt have to live with these bastards.Maybe she will have a very nice new life and may all her dreams come true next time.May her soul rest in peace -
There’s obviously been a great deal of interest in the story of Dua Khalil Aswad. Some of the comments I’ve gotten are much different in nature than what I normally get on this site. But I don’t censor comments (aside from spam) and people can respond as they wish. My readers are intelligent enough to read comments that come from all perspectives, even ones they find offensive. I don’t endorse any of these comments or any comment that is ever left on my blog by anyone. The views expressed by a commenter are just that — the views of the commenter, not mine.
I think it’s worth pointing out that Dua was not Muslim, nor were the men who killed her. She was of Yezidi faith and was murdered because she had fallen in love with a Muslim man (apparently). Her death has sparked not only outrage over this barbaric custom of “honor killing,” but has also sparked much sectarian violence between Kurds and Muslims. Though honor killings are usually associated with Islam, they are in fact carried out by people of different faiths in and around the Middle East. Regardless of who is doing these “honor killings,” it is a vile form of misogyny that must be stopped.
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Keith1210 Says:
May 21st, 2007 at 5:49 pmWell said Anglofille. This was not an Islamic murder, so will the Islam bashing cease? Yes, this type of honor killing is pervasive in tribal Islamic communities, but what this shows is that many traditions and customs, however horrific, are more Middle Eastern in nature, and less religion-centric.
I think that women globally need to come together and protest the abhorable treatment that women receive in these Middle Eastern countries. These women are relatively powerless, and they are in dire need of primary support from women who live in countries where there is not as much oppression. Of course, men who are against this for of harsh treatment need to support these women as well, but I think this movement will have more muscle if women were at the front of this outrage.
Hell, if the local governments of these communities do not see that these women are being mistreated, or are slow to respond, then maybe the next best thing is to remove the women from these communities, and grant them asylum, like we grant to Cubans here in America!!
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abhi, i read ur comments, I am a muslim and by every means i condem this act. you gota be craegul when u make comments. this act and acts like this are never driven by religion or believes. i think its how these ppl are brought up. its in thier culture not religion. this girl was not muslim neither the men killed her. i advice u to do some research and study about Islam. you will find that women are respected in Islam better than anywhere else. but if men don’t follow those orders its another issue. at the end i should say. long live LOVE
Deat to all fundementals in culture religion and etc from Islam, hinduism or christianaty or jwish……. -
Rexie DC Says:
May 22nd, 2007 at 8:05 amwhat happened to her makes me sick to my stomach. i didnt know at this day and age that there are still people executing people just because he/she didnt follow “mandates” of their own religion/faith. its a pity that the media here in my country (phils) did not even mention that this incident ever happened. i just came across about this in anderson cooper’s blog and that he’s presenting the story tonight.
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Ali Says:
May 23rd, 2007 at 8:16 amAbhi MOFO there is no diff between u or those crims. ( fyi gujrat Genocide ) whr do u belong vhp or rss.
as for the ones responsible i pray to god they get the worse of everything. collapse of law and order mate blame it on america its not about democracy its about oil. y don’t u get democracy in cuba, zimbabwe, and many more
(http://www.countercurrents.org/index.htm) -
Alisha Says:
May 28th, 2007 at 6:27 pmHonour killings,burning innocent women as witches in the west,hanging innocent people to death in public,these things are not new,people liked these kind of sensations in the past and unfortunetely,some cultures will never change.
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Wendy Sombilon Says:
May 28th, 2007 at 6:57 pmI AM JUST WAITING TO SEE THE FACES OF THE KILLERS OF DUA AND WHAT PENALTY THEY WILL FACE, I BET THEY WILL BE SET FREE BECAUSE THE AUTHORITY ARE ALSO OF THE SAME KIND
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Alisha Says:
May 28th, 2007 at 7:08 pmI personally think ,there will be some kind of a punishment to proved the world that they are against these kind of killings,without the release of the video there would be no so called justice at all,now it has become a political issue,so they sure will improvise something to defend the “honour”of their culture.
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Charlotte Says:
May 29th, 2007 at 2:58 pmDua was a Yazidi. Yazidis are not Muslims. In fact, from what I’ve read on the web about their religion, it makes Islam look like feminism. Yazidis believe they are descended from Adam, but not from Eve. They believe Adam’s “seed” grew into a lovely boy-child, while Eve’s seed grew into insects. Adam’s boy child married a “houri” (female spirit) and Yazidis believe they are descended from these two.
Talk about womb envy. The most brutal men are always the weakest and most insecure. They are so inferior and without honor. -
Tell the Iraqis Says:
May 31st, 2007 at 9:12 pm1801 P Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel: (202) 483-7500Embassy hours: Monday-Friday 9:30 AM – 5 PM
Consular Section hours: Tuesday-Thursday 10 AM – 3 PMPlease note: iraqia.washington@netzero.com will continue to operate. However, the new general e-mail address is admin@iraqiembassy.org.
Ambassador’s Office
Fax: (202) 462-5066Faiz Al-Gailani
Counselor / Deputy Chief of Mission
Fax: (202) 462-0564 -
Lion Says:
June 12th, 2007 at 1:46 pmAfter watching the sickening footage of Dua’s murder in utter disbelief, I feel the only penalty worthy of such a dispicable crime is the death penalty! These so called ‘men’ seemed to be enjoying themselves as the baited each other in the slaughter of their own beautiful young kinswoman. There was absolutely no honour in what they (and the bystanders) did, only deep and everlasting shame. I sincerely hope that the international outcry at such a dispicable act is heeded by all peoples and faiths, as I fear that what we all witnessed is only the tip of a large iceberg. Unfortunatley this seems to be happening all over the world not just in Iraq and the middle east, but also in more developed countries. I still cant beleive that such punishments are metted out in this day and age. I am so angry and saddened by poor Dua’s grissley death that I would personally volunteer myself as the executioner of these animals. Godbless you Dua and RIP.
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sima Says:
June 25th, 2007 at 2:50 pmi dont know say what realy ‘ but i know that she is alive because she was a lover and lovers will never die . the dirty killers could kill her little body but they couldent and never can kill her great soul. she is alive in our mind forever and went to god.sleep slowly and smooth little girl we pray for your great soul.
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munisa Says:
July 12th, 2007 at 7:10 pmHumanity would be much better off without retarted religions, like this and many other man made ones. What makes people follow the religion, when all wonders and beautiful things are presented outside it? Religion, which is mostly old arab traditions, slows down civilization. Wipe religion out of earth by bringing civic education to humanity.
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Muslim Says:
August 15th, 2007 at 1:47 pmAmericanMan, the name Abeer Qassim Hamza al-Janabi should be remembered by all Americans. She was a 14 yr. old iraqi girl who was raped, and her and her entire family murdered by American Marines, so called “Civilised” Christians. Why don’t you nuke urselves? US Spending trillions for Democracy in Iraq? That’s BULLSHIT!” IT”S THE OIL IDIOT!!!”
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Well Said Muslim Says:
August 25th, 2007 at 11:50 pmWell said Muslim, let’s leave religion out of that! Because, what happened to Duá does not relate to any religion on earth. May her soul rest in peace.
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Mel Says:
August 28th, 2007 at 11:50 amI came to know about this incident only recently via the qahtaniya bombings news. I was disturbed for more than a week after i saw that video. That not one of the 2000 men, who stood by and did nothing, had a functional conscience makes me lose my faith in humanity. May they all rot in hell. Does anyone know if the main culprits were caught or not, its been 4 months? If the Iraqi/US government sets an example via this case which has got a lot of media attention, it will not only curb the wave of violence between muslims and yezidis in the area but it will also bring a sense of security to the Iraqi women. There has been mention of Dua’s father (who was probably not involved in this murder), brother, uncles and cousins, but nothing is said about her mother or sister( if any )? were they also ok with this killing or are they living in constant agony over such a memory?
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todd busch Says:
November 16th, 2007 at 8:52 pmjust wondering how to pronounce the name du’a? i’m writing a song about her and need to know. thanks
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i don’t know how to pronounce her name. dua is the muslim word for prayer. perhaps you could ask a muslim person how to say it.
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kellz Says:
November 18th, 2007 at 12:11 amMel here`s a link to a very recent update on Dua.It includes some more details and is its very sad,esp her Mother who is deep grieving..Hope the link works,it`ll answer some questions you asked I hope
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/iraq/article2801016.ece -
horrified Says:
July 12th, 2008 at 6:41 pmi don’t have the guts to watch the video of her killing, just hearing it from friends made my stomach churned.but i truly believe that she’s in better, peaceful world now. she’s killed by her own family member, relatives, triad. i am angry because they don’t have the right to take someone’s life just like that!!! they are worse than animals.what ever happens to the word forgiveness? sure, they ‘believed’ she made a mistake, but to KILL your own flesh and blood?
i don’t have much hope for these men-pigs. they’ve been educated to this this way, to them women are powerless creatures and are always inferior. mistakes made are always fatal. -
Dua we will never forget! Says:
July 21st, 2008 at 10:55 pmDUA YOU WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN!
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i only knew about this “horrible”not honorable killing of such a beautiful girl through my cousin’s ipod..it made me sick,and i cried while watching her stoned and kicked to death..but what’s most disgusting about the killing?,is that it was her own relatives who killed her!
i wish her happiness and peace..
down with religions,and up with LOVE! -
I have just filmed a 40-minute DVD on the international abuse of women. See Brodie Speaking web page on http://www.horsehighway.org.au
The male of no other species in history has so wilfully & violently beaten up on the female of its own species – as a matter of policy.
There is no atrocity in world history to compare with Man’s inhumanity to Womanhood.
John R Brodie.
Justice of the Peace.
Australia -
Abdullah Muhammad Says:
November 18th, 2008 at 10:39 pmI too am Muslim I noticed somebody has already pointed out that this was not an act by Muslims but was by Yazidi. Even so this is not even an act condoned by most Yazidi.
Radical extremist exist in every religion and culture. I know it seems that most of it occurs among people in the Mideast and in all of the religious denominations there. But, it does not reflect all Mideasterners and is not limited to the Mideast. As mentioned above Dua is the Arabic word for supplication a form of Prayer, more specificaly a plea for Help from God(swt) Salat is the word that translates more closely as the Christian concept of prayer.
Let us all keep Dua in our Duas and ask that this type of madness end.
For the Person who asked I am not certain how the Kurds pronounce Dua. But in Arabic it sounds a bit like a combination of Doo-ah/Doo-hah with a glutteral H making it a soft sounding Du-kah. But I think the closest to the actual pronunciation a non-Arabic speaker will reach is to pronounce it as Doo-ah.
I believe the Kurds speak a form of Farsi so I would suspect it would be less glutteral then Arabic.
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Hilke van Hove Says:
April 12th, 2009 at 3:50 amFirstly, respect for Duás family, because, they must be hurt bad.
This is so bad, Me, an animal defender, never to speak up for humans, this time I do.
My sister, I cried, when word came out, all over facebook, and I still cry deep deep inside.
Shame on Men, shame one men, shame on men.
Sweet Dua, sweet daughter, sister of mine, we will meet again. I wish I could have taken the pain from you, I gladly would have taken the stones, thrown by Idiots and bigots, to die together, I am an Atheist, an infidel, My supreme choice, Shame on Men. A Woman 56 years old. Respect to the mother and father of Dua -
jimmy Says:
April 29th, 2009 at 6:54 pmrest in peace little one im so ashamed to be a man
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rest in peace dua khalil. i feel so bad for you :’(. if i were there i will do anything just so they could stop! rest in peace i hope you are in heaven now in a better place! i really hope that!
R.I.P michael jackson.. we love you forever!<3
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wistful Says:
December 26th, 2009 at 4:47 pmI’m a Muslim. I extremely condemn this action . Those who did this are not Muslim they are animals. Prophet Muhammad (PBH) says even do not cut dead dog …and now we see this …
I do believe someday at time our only hope Mahdi comes with Jesus to fulfill real justice in the World and take revenge for this terrible action…Rest in peace Due! these guys are animals.
