Twenty thousand honour killings take place around the world every year.
20,000.
Take a moment to let that number sink in – because it seems almost unbelievable that we live in a world with so much hate and cruelty that there were 20,000 people who were killed at the hands of their own families in one year. What makes it so much more heartbreaking and difficult to comprehend is the fact that these people were murdered in the name of “honour” – murdered so that the way they chose to live their life would no longer bring “shame” to their family.
But one has to ask, why should someone’s life decisions get them killed? And why do their families so whole-heartedly believe that murder will restore honour to the family?
“The mere perception that a woman has behaved in a way that “dishonours” her family is sufficient to trigger an attack on her life.” – Human Rights Watch
Unfortunately, official figures on honour killings are difficult to obtain because these murders often go unreported or are passed off by the families as suicides or natural deaths. This makes honour killings all the more difficult for us as a society to target and eliminate altogether.
But now, a new honour killing case has been brought to the world’s attention – and this one is harder than ever to ignore.
A new documentary, The Price of Honour, premiered this September and it tells a horrifying story – the story of two teenage girls who were shot dead by their father after he found out about their non-Muslim boyfriends. Texas cab driver Yaser Abdel Said, a 57-year-old Egyptian immigrant, is wanted in connection with this case that is now being treated as an “honour killing” by the FBI.
Directors Neena Nejad and Xoel Pamos have spent the last three years working on this investigative documentary, which includes details from Amina’s private journals and the possible whereabouts of Yaser Said.
A few days before their death, the two sisters and their mother, Patricia Said, fled from their father’s home after he threatened them with physical violence upon finding out about their non-Muslim love interests. However, their mother eventually returned home to their father and convinced the girls to return as well. When they got home, Said took the two girls out for a drive, saying they were going to get something to eat.
They never returned.
![Amina and Sarah: The two teenage girls shot dead by their father in Texas in a so-called "honour killing" [Source: The Price Of Honour]](http://archive.the-ipf.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Amina-and-Sarah.jpg)
Amina and Sarah: The two teenage girls shot dead by their father in Texas in a so-called “honour killing” [Source: The Price Of Honour]
The final moments of Amina and Sarah’s life were captured in a chilling phone call made to 911 on 1 January 2008. And now, this new documentary is about to reveal much more about the truth behind their murders.
Director Pamos said in a press release:
“Amina left behind a treasure trove of secrets critical to convicting the father of her murder that no one had explored until we started investigating. In her own words, through letters, emails and diary entries, she answered almost every question we had about this disturbing case.”
And the case truly is disturbing. However, this isn’t just a documentary for you to watch and then forget about. This is a documentary calling on all of us to take concrete steps towards change:
1. Help catch Yaser Said
Through the creation of a coalition with non-profit organisations committed towards eliminating honour killings, the filmmakers of this documentary are raising funds for reward money for any tips leading to the arrest of Yaser Said. You can get involved with the campaign by tweeting using the #CatchYaserSaid hashtag.
2. Call it what it is
In order to help put an end to honour violence, it’s important to call it what it is. Amy Logan, Consulting Producer and author of The Seven Perfumes of Sacrifice says:
“Honor violence is first and foremost about cultures who view and treat women as property or inferior. This is a human rights issue and women’s rights are human rights. Culture is no excuse for abuse. It’s time all communities in which this occurs, regardless of religion, start having an honest conversation about it.”
3. Choose one organisation
Choose an organisation that is trying to eradicate this problem and do one meaningful thing for them each week. Filmmakers of The Price Of Honour recommend the following organisations who are doing brilliant work to help put an end to honour killings and violence against women:
You can also get in touch with your local women’s shelter to see how you can be of help to them. Additionally, you can find out more about how you can help support The Price Of Honour through their website, where they offer more information about their campaign, as well as opportunities to host a screening of the documentary yourself.
If you’re still looking for further ways to do your part for those who face honour based violence, check out Amy Logan’s 15 ways we can transform the crisis of honour violence.
Amina and Sarah’s story is difficult to ignore because it highlights how this isn’t a secluded issue – it’s an issue that could affect anyone, anywhere in the world. And it’s an issue that’s cruel and heartbreaking and has no place in a civilised world. So let’s make sure that this documentary isn’t “just another documentary” – let’s transform it into a movement and help bring justice to the victims of a brutal and horrific crime.
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