International

“Adultery and Qur’anic Punishment”

In this article, Engineer goes through a thorough historical and Qur’anic analysis of the punishment of stoning for zina. He comes to the conclusion that stoning to death is against the fundamental values prescribed in the Qur’an, as it kills an erring human being rather than giving him/her the chance to repent and reform. He states that there is a great need for bringing changes in the Islamic fiqh in keeping with the Qur’anic values.

“Violence against women in Arab and Islamic Countries”

In Arab and Islamic countries, domestic violence is not yet considered a major concern despite its increasing frequency and serious consequences. Surveys in Egypt, Palestine, Israel and Tunisia show that at least one out of three women is beaten by her husband. The indifference to this type of violence stems from attitudes that domestic violence is a private matter and, usually, a justifiable response to misbehaviour on the part of the wife. Selective excerpts from the Koran are used to prove that men who beat their wives are following God’s commandments.

Family Life: a comparative perspective on ‘crimes of honour’

In this book, which is the result of a seminar that took place in London in 2003, researchers from Middle East and Latin America came together to compare and analyse ‘honour crimes’ within these various contexts. Although the social contexts on these continents are quite different – Islamic or Catholic countries, besides other cultural differences – the outcomes of the researches are similar: women who were killed either by their husbands or by their own kin. The aim was to demystify such crimes.

Report of the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences, Ms. Radhika Coomaraswamy, Addendum 1, International, regional and national development in the area of violence against women 1994-2003

This report contains a detailed review of international, regional, and national developments and best practices for ways and means of combating violence against women over the period 1994-2003. The report is not fully comprehensive, some regions or countries have been reported on in greater detail than others, reflecting the information that was available to the Special Rapporteur. (All countries of this bibliography are examined in this report)

Report of the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences, Ms. Radhika Coomaraswamy, Cultural practices in the family that are violent towards women

This report documents a number of cultural practices (including FGM, honour killings, and witchcraft allegations) which violate women’s human rights to bodily integrity and to expression, as well as undermining essential values of equality and dignity. These practices and many others constitute a form of domestic violence but have avoided national and international scrutiny because they are seen as cultural practices that deserve tolerance and respect.

Roundtable on Strategies to Address ‘Crimes of Honour’: Summary Report

A Roundtable on Strategies to Address ‘Honour Crimes’ was held in London from 12-13 November 1999.

Tatmotiv Ehre (Honour Motive)

This book [in German] was produced as part of Terre des Femmes’ campaign against ‘honour crimes’ and is divided into four sections. The first section contains contributions on religion and honour and the legal legitimisation of such killings in the laws of Jordan, Turkey and Pakistan. The second section examines honour crimes as an international problem that occurs in many countries, and several national case studies are provided, including from Jordan, Turkey, Switzerland, Iraq, Afghanistan, India, and Iran.

“Interview: The Quran doesn’t support patriarchy.”

Asma Barlas is a reformist religious scholar of Islam, from Pakistan based in the US, who argues that stoning is un-Islamic based on the fact that it is not in the Quran. This is just one document that presents her views on this. Others are on her website, www.asmabarlas.com.

WRRC Bibliography: “Family Killing Fields: Honour Rationales in the Murder of Women”

The authors argue that cultural and personal systems of honour that depend on the behaviour of others are an integral part of the killing of women by their families or intimates. Comparing patterns of conduct in both traditional cultures and English-speaking countries, this study focuses on the basic element of such honour rationales – control, feelings of shame, and levels of community involvement – to establish that such rationales are a worldwide phenomenon.

“Wife Battery in Islam: A Comprehensive Understanding of Interpretations”

This article presents a comprehensive discussion of Islamic interpretations of wife beating. Four schools with varying Islamic perspectives on the issue of wife beating are explored. The schools are classified based on the severity of the patriarchal values reflected in the structural relationship between men (husbands) and women (wives) within the family and the general society. Literal, patriarchal, and feminist interpretations of the Qur’anic text are provided.