Honor killings are a common practice in the Middle East, but many are unaware of the brutal realities its victims endure. The name is derived from killing individuals to maintain their families’ honor. Afghanistan native Laila Anwarzai Ayoubi, professor at Butler and Martin universities, teaches language, sociology and culture, but her newest novel, Niki’s Honor, tells an enduring story of a victim against the brutal practice. The killings are widely considered sexist, targeting both women and girls.
Students frequently ask Ayoubi about the origin of the honor killings, which her book is based on. “My answer was the honor killings are a pre-Islamic tribal tradition and extrajudicial punishment that is not our [religious law]. It actually doesn’t have to do anything with Islam.”
She continues, “Honor killings also are among the Christian minorities in Arab countries, also among Jews and the communities still living around the Middle East.”
Her son, criminal law attorney, Sly Ayoubi who owns his own firm, says it is a cultural practice that varies across regions. “It has a great deal to do with the holy sanctity of a woman’s virginity. And several comparisons can be made around all cultures. For example, if a girl gets raped, she can experience abuse from her own family or the guy that raped her can experience abuse from her family or his family.”
The honor killings are not just limited to women. Men can be killed as well. “[For example], if I had a sister and something like that happened to her, then, my brothers and I would go after him as opposed to punishing her.”
Mr. Ayoubi elaborates, “In some places, it’s viewed as shame to go punish her for having an illegitimate child or something around those lines. It really comes down to what the community finds as dishonorable or shameful.”
The pre-Islamic tribal practice is not limited to rape victims or offenders either. Any sinful or illegal act such as homosexuality, adultery, stealing, and premarital sex are all considered for the honor killings. Generally, whatever breaks a community standard or societal norm is a variant. However, there are universal standards transferable amongst most regions, such as home break-ins or offenses against children, according to Mr. Ayoubi.
Americans may be surprised to find that these honor killings are not limited to the Middle East.
“Everything in the book is not only happening in Afghanistan. It’s happening all over the world, even in Italy and Scandanavia,” Ms. Ayoubi says.
According to FBI Crime reports, there were 27 victims of honor killings in the United States.
Mr. Ayoubi says the potential victims of honor killings fear embarrassment.
“During my time as a prosecutor here in Ohio, I saw that a lot of the reported rapes were not even followed up, because either the victim didn’t want to testify in court out of fear of being labeled or the fear of embarrassment.”
He adds, “There is a sense of fear, but it’s the fear of being victimized. But for the perpetrator, there’s not as much fear as it is for the victim.”
Ms. Ayoubi has never personally witnessed an honor killing but frequently tells her students about the people who went missing. “After I asked my mother and she told me Niki’s story, then I remembered something happened to people. I knew them at the school and different places.”
Ms. Ayoubi says, “The book has a message that violence against girls and women needs to be stopped.”
