The murder of Farzana Parveen is being condemned all over the world, and this is not a crime that is happening only in Pakistan, but in many other countries as well. The UK is facing its own kind of problems. The Asian families that settled in the UK decades ago, are now facing the issue of a clash between Islam and the western culture. Many young British women become victims of this horrific crime and just like in Pakistan, there is no public outcry from within these communities, and their local leaders remain silent on the issue. Many charities and human right activists are challenging the kind of mindsets that gives birth to such crimes. In July, 2014 the UK government will host an international summit focusing on honour based violence. It is time, we break our silence on such outrageous codes of honour and collectively work to question and quash beliefs that drive people to kill.
BARRISTER MOBEEN SHAH,
Nottingham, United Kingdom, June 4.