With no disrespect to other cultures, religions and beliefs, I do find it incredibly hard to comprehend that a girl or woman can be killed simply for smiling at a camera.
I also don't see how a killing like this could restore the family honour.
I think it is a sad but fascinating topic.
After researching honour killings online, I found out that it happens often but that the Quran (the central religious text of Islam) does not condone these type of murders at all.
The United Nations reports 5000 Muslim women and girls are killed every year in the name of Islam, and Wikipedia describes honour killings as "the homicide of a member of a family or social group by other members, due to the belief of the perpetrators that the victim has brought dishonour upon the family or community".
On radioaustralia.net.au, I found an interview with Priyanka Radhakrishnan, from Shakti, a support group in New Zealand for women from migrant communities. She said the term "honour killing" needs to be used with caution, but it does happen.
The concept of restoring relationships of honour through the shedding of blood is found throughout human history in various cultures as well as religions. It dates back to Roman times.
I lived in the Netherlands most of my life, a small country with a population of 16.69 million. An estimated 6 per cent of the total population are Muslims and stories of what we call blood-revenge killings are not uncommon there, either.
Unfortunately, the term "honour killing" has become somewhat synonymous with Muslim culture, and personally I think that is a real shame.
Especially since 9/11, anti-Islamic sentiment is prevalent. I even found an anti-Islam alliance on Facebook, a page with 16271 "likes" that gives an overview of anti-Islam pages and groups on the internet.
Racism, although it has existed throughout the ages, is a truly pathetic manifestation of fear in my opinion. For me, it doesn't matter if someone is black, white, yellow, green or purple and if they believe in God, Allah, Buddha or in no one at all, it isn't an issue for me either.
In my eyes, anyone has the right to believe in what they like, stand out from the crowd if they wish and love who they want, as long as they also respect other people's personal choices and don't try to force their own upon others.
Most Muslims I have met over the years may not like the fact that I eat pork but they have explained clearly to me that Islam is a religion that preaches love, respect and oneness of mankind.
Muslims are required to respect the dignity of mankind, regardless of religion, race, nationality, or place of birth, all of mankind are honoured. I don't see anything wrong with that.
Islamophobes often use examples of honour killings as reasons why Islam is evil.
Those who look a little further will find honour killings are categorically detested in Islamic law. If anything, it is regarded as a cultural-tribal practice.
Essentially, they are crimes of passion. It can't be denied that this, unfortunately, happens in every culture - including our own.
Martine Rolls is a Tauranga writer and digital strategist.
