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| When was the last time you engaged with the media? |
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| Sunday, 17 February 2008 | |
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Considering that the story mentions women of many different faiths and cultures who have been affected by this issue, we felt it was inappropriate to link the story to the Muslim faith itself, through the use of this image. Islam does not promote honour killings; this is more of a cultural issue and is not something the Muslim religion condones. The image used by The Independent on Sunday portrays Islam at its fullest and therefore implies that the two ideas are linked. The Independent itself, which runs as a separate newspaper to The Independent on Sunday, is very accurate and fair in its reporting and content. This is why we were even more astounded to see such an image on the front cover, especially at a time when Muslims are being unfairly targetted in the media. As a result, we decided to email the editor of The Independent on Sunday to raise our concerns. Here’s how he responded:
"Thank you very much for your e-mail concerning the front cover of last Sunday's newspaper.
The photograph we used is of a woman with direct experience of the issue. As the caption states, the image is of Bekhal Mahmod, taken after she had given evidence at the trial of her father, who was found guilty of the 'honour' killing of her sister Banaz last year. I believe it was an image used by several newspapers at the time, and, if my memory serves me right, I think she is now in hiding. The aim, I assure you, was most definitely not to link the story to the Muslim faith, and I agree with you that this is a cultural, rather than a religious, issue. With all best wishes
John Mullin
As you can see, it only takes one email to raise issues which are important. Don’t be scared to voice your opinions. They will get heard and the response might not always be what you expect!
Please use the comments section below to let us know about the last time you engaged with the media and what kind of response you received.
          Readers have left 11 comments.
Tahira:
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Well done MPACUK and well done the Indy on Sunday for taking on board these concerns and acknowledging that 'honour' is not Islamic.
Actually last time I engaged with the media was when I saw the MPACUK Action Alert about BBC bias on Palestine/ Israel. I got an acknowledgment of my complaint saying a full response would be forthcoming when they have made enquiries. And I just saw a really good article in my local paper about a local doctor who went on a humanitarian mission to Gaza - I'll send off a letter praising the article today insh'Allah. About time I stopped waiting for MPACUK to kick me into action with their Alerts!
(1)
2008-02-17 07:27:03
K. Urban:
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MPAC good work needs to extend to the trash tabloids.
Influencing the prejudiced.
(2)
2008-02-17 08:58:11
Denise Wan:
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Well observed MPACUK.
Such steretyping of "OTHER GROUPS", especially the one where a crime committed by many groups is attributed to one group ( even only by implication)should always be challenged. The readership etc., should always be educated as to how it is being "got at" by the racist or sectarian interests of others. Similarly, if a black British person is mentioned somewhere a) this does not mean that person is a criminal, b) nor does it mean that person is "Jamaican". Sometimes it is only when we become the victims of discrimination ourselves that we can recognise how our own people have discriminated against others. When we learn not to discriminate against others ( something forbidden by the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him) we will indeed be better equipped to deal with the discrimination and prejudice against ourselves.
(3)
2008-02-17 09:11:58
A A:
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I contacted the media when BBC Radio 4 ran a story about Asian girl Shafilia Ahmed and the honour killing investigation. The BBC had no reason to keep going on about a MUSLIM teenager.Something for which they apologised.
Thanks MPAC for keeping us on our toes. Muslims should have a voice and it was a long time coming. Keep up the good work and don't be afraid of kicking us into action. We have been passive with the media for too long.
(4)
2008-02-17 09:36:38
Denise Wan:
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Did you not like my comment? I have found it hard to get on here during these last months, but no problem on the forum
(5)
2008-02-17 09:37:35
MPACUK Mod:
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Did you not like my comment? I have found it hard to get on here during these last months, but no problem on the forum — Denise WanPlease register so that you can login when posting comments. The front page has a different login from the forum so currently you are required to register twice. Thank you for your contribution.
(6)
2008-02-17 10:56:40
Peter Barnett:
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Having followed the bylines in the media resulting from the address given by the Archbishop of Canterbury, they invaribly included a specious header, leading into an equally specious byline. However, it makes for good copy, fueling national hysteria, and doing nothing to improve the understanding of Islam, Christianity, or indeed any spiritual belief in the UK. I deplore the way that the media has cynically manipulated public opinion with disinformation, and continues to do so.
(7)
2008-02-17 11:52:54
F Cockburn:
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I engaged with the tabloids but it broke off.
The mullah wouldn't approve the marriage, thankfully.
(8)
2008-02-17 17:28:23
Amelia Andersdotter:
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I understand your sentiments, but the veil isn't a sign only of Islam. Many cultures apply various forms of veils, including Catholic Nuns, orthodox Judaism and Hinduism.
I understand the objection since it is a way of deliberately associating honour crime with something I suppose British associate with Muslims, but in theory, they've also said that Jews, Catholics and Hindus practise honour culture.
(9)
2008-02-17 21:02:33
Azaad:
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'Honour' crimes are essentially 'animalistic', in the sense that they are a reflection of 'animal instincts'. They are also very 'proprietorial'. The Alpha Male/Female alone decides who may breed with whom. (This is why even in 'Western' societies, brothers/fathers/uncles, even sons will go so far as to kill if someone 'goes out with'/tries to marry someone of another colour etc.)
The idiots who commit these crimes fail to see the cruel irony: 'Honour' crimes are incredibly dishonourable.
(10)
2008-02-18 09:23:15
Sultan (Oxford):
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Assalaam walaikum and Greetings.
There is no 'honour' in 'honour killiings', and certainly Islam does not approve of it and this issue is a cultural thing rather than something related to Islam or any other religion. So, top-marks to MPAC in voicing their objections to the Independent on Sunday, and top-marks for the editor to give the appropriate response. However, there are 2 things that need to be said on this issue. 1) Whether you like it or not, the reason why 'honour killings' is associated with Islam or Muslims (more often than not) is because most reported 'honour killings' do seem to be done by Muslims or this act is found within Muslim states. So, when readers read a report of an 'honur killing' by a Muslim or within a Muslim state, then this vile act is equated to Muslims. Since Muslims follow Islam, then readers believe that somehow Islam sanctions this. The readers believe that if 'honour killing' is indeed a cultural thing then it should be confined to one culture and thus one area in the world. Yet, 'honour killing' is done by different cultures (Pakistanis, Bangladeshis, Morroconas, Jordians, Palestinians, etc) and the only thing these different cultures have in common is ISLAM. Thus, 'honour killing' appears to be sanctioned by Islam, and people do not see how 'culture' comes into this. This plays very well into the hands of those who claim Islam is anti-women, anti-freedom. Of course, the truth is somewhat different and murder is murder (in Islam) and the appropriate penalties need to be applied to the perpretators of this crime. 2) When Newspapers print a photo of (say) a veiled Woman against a headline such as 'honour killing' (or any other sensitive subject), then the newspaper should have a disclaimer like they do in the beginning/end of movies. Something like "This newspaper make no association that 'honour killing' is associated with the religion of the person in the photograph". This would elimintate the need for any Muslim organisation to criticise reports made against Islam or Muslims unjustly. Wasalaams and regards
(11)
2008-02-18 17:31:53
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Last week, The Independent on Sunday used a very striking image of a woman in a veil on its front cover. The image was used in relation to a story on Honour Killings, something which we found to quite disturbing.
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