The central question in this article is: how should a democratic constitutional state deal with 'honour killings'? The authors discuss two alternative perspectives for interpreting the phenomenon, a cultural and a structural one. Next, the authors discuss how these perspectives, or dimensions of honour killing, should be reflected in how the democratic state deals with this phenomenon as a matter of justice. The authors argue that honour killing is not the inevitable consequence of loss of honour, even in the cultural frame of reference of the immigrant group.

Religious leaders from Jewish, Christian, and Islamic faiths were interviewed about their understanding of the intersection of intimate partner violence (IPV) and religion. The present article explores the leaders’ understanding of how relationship dynamics relate to IPV, focusing particularly on concepts of equality and submission. On the whole, the leaders were concerned that religious prescriptions of disproportionate power, such as the teachings of male leadership and female submission, could be interpreted to support IPV practices.


This study attempts to look beyond the cultural notion of honour as the main/only motive behind gender based violence. By focusing on honour related violence in Muslim contexts, and especially in Pakistan, this study tries to explain the origin and persistence of the honour/shame code by applying Marx's Historical Materialist approach. This approach takes readers from the ancient, medieval to the modern/current histories of religious, legal, social and political institutions.

The conference on Combating Patriarchal Violence Against Women, Focusing on Violence in the Name of Honour took place in Stockholm 7-8 December 2004. The conference aimed at more effectively addressing such violence, and should be seen as a part of an ongoing process to counteract it. The conference included numerous keynote speeches, discussion groups, and interactive workings (the details of which are all in this publication).

The question in this post is: “Does Islam allow wife beating? Some husbands are violent and they say that the Qur'an allows them to beat their wives. Is there any logical explanation given regarding men being allowed to beat their wives, as stated in surat An-Nisa', verse 34?” The reply, given by Dr. Muzammil Siddiqi (former president of the Islamic Society of North America) and Dr. Jamal Badawi (professor at Saint Mary’s Univerisyt in Halifax), is that this verse is often gravely misconceived by people, who focus only on its surface meaning and take it to allow wife beating. Dr.

The question in this post is: “What does Islam say about honor killings? Does Islam really have a concept of honor killings? Most of the victims here are females; so does Islam really order to kill females in the name of honor?” The reply, given by Sheikh Ahmad Kutty, Sheikh Muhammad Ali Al-Hanooti and Sheikh ‘Atiyyah Saqr, is that there is no such concept in Islam that is called “honour killing”; Islam does not permit such acts. The so-called “honour killing” is based on ignorance and disregard of morals and laws.

The question in this post is: “I have heard that the punishment specified for the person who commits adultery is 80 lashes. I would like to ask, from where did you get the punishment of stoning to death? Moreover, if you say that it is based on the Sunnah, I can say that how to depend on Sunnah in this regard. Isn’t it a fact that the Qur’an is the source of legislation for all Muslims?” The reply, given by an unnamed Islamic scholar, is that stoning is explicitly sanctioned both by the Qur’an and Prophetic Tradition.

The question in this post is: “Why must those who commit adultery be stoned to death? If Islam teaches forgiveness, why don't you give them another chance? Doesn’t Islam teach that God is the most Merciful?” The reply, given by an unnamed Islamic scholar, is that it is not true or correct to say that those who have been guilty of adultery can only be forgiven by Allah if they submit themselves to be stoned to death.

The question in this post is: “Why is it that stoning to death is considered the Islamic punishment for adultery by so many, when it is not mentioned anywhere in the Quran and the punishment for illegal sex (zina) is clearly stated to be 100 lashes?” The reply, given by Sheikh Muhammad Ali Al-Hanooti, states a Muslim believes in the Qur’an and Hadith as two major sources of revelation. If one denies stoning for adultery then he/she is of the people who deny Hadith as a source of Islamic Law, which is used by almost all the schools of Shari’a.

Syndicate content