Log Kya Kahenge (What Will People Say): Honour-Based Violence As a Response to Community Influenced Control and the Fear of Ostracization

University of Calgary PRISM: University of Calgary's Digital Repository Graduate Studies The Vault: Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2021-01-29 Log Kya Kahenge (What Will People Say): Honour-Based Violence as a Response to Community Influenced Control and the Fear of Ostracization Rahman, Afrin Naz Rahman, A. N. (2021). Log Kya Kahenge (What Will People Say): Honour-Based Violence as a Response to Community Influenced Control and the Fear of Ostracization (Unpublished master's thesis). University of Calgary, Calgary, AB. http://hdl.handle.net/1880/113062 master thesis University of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission. Downloaded from PRISM: https://prism.ucalgary.ca UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY Log Kya Kahenge (What Will People Say): Honour-Based Violence as a Response to Community Influenced Control and the Fear of Ostracization by Afrin Naz Rahman A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF GRADUATE STUDIES IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS GRADUATE PROGRAM IN RELIGIOUS STUDIES CALGARY, ALBERTA JANUARY, 2021 © Afrin Naz Rahman 2021 2 Abstract Honour-based violence (HBV) is a particular subset of violence against women (VAW) that is based on the belief that an individual (mostly women) has brought shame and dishonour upon their family and community. This particular justification is limited and ignores the pressure and fear of community condemnation and ostracization that the perpetrator (mostly men) experience. In order to apprehend the justifications for HBV, this thesis will address the subject of VAW and how it is systematic and imbedded within societal norms, regardless of region, race, or creed. It is then necessary to not only define religion, culture and tradition but also address the underlying correlation between HBV and Islam, that despite being refuted by Islamic leaders, continues to dominate research regarding this form of violence. Focusing solely on these two points (women and Islam) of contention ignores the mindset of the perpetrator, as their supposition of honour is derived from almost exclusively from the fear of log kya kahenge (what will people say). Instead, using sociological theories, the continuity of HBV should be examined based upon the impellent fear: heteronormativity and the community itself. 3 Acknowledgments I would like to take this opportunity to give my sincere gratitude to the following individuals who have helped me throughout my time writing my thesis. Foremost, I would like to thank my supervisor, Dr. Morny Joy. Her guidance, insight and encouragement were instrumental to my success in completing my thesis. I am also grateful for her never-ending patience and support, without which I would have not made it this far. I am also thankful to the University of Calgary and Department of Classics and Religion for providing me with the opportunity and time I required to complete my thesis, ensuring that I was successful in my academic career. To Dr. Wendi Adamek and Dr Liza McCoy, I am thankful for not only the opportunity to be taught by both of you, but also for agreeing to be on my defence committee. Last, but not least, I am thankful to my family and friends. They have equally been a part of my journey and struggle, and have remained steadfast in their support, patience and love. 4 Table of Contents Abstract 2 Acknowledgements 3 Introduction: What Will People Say? 5 Chapter 1: The Subject of Violence Against Women 11 Chapter 2: The Implications of Religion, Culture and Tradition 31 Chapter 3: The Heteronormative Fear of Westernization 56 Chapter 4: The Collective Demand for Honour 88 Conclusion 133 Bibliography 136 5 Introduction: What Will People Say? The phrase log kya kahenge (what will people say) is a familiar rhetorical question used to enforce particular attitudes and demeanors that align with accepted South Asian social norms. This particular question used more as an implied threat, rather than a question, is the primary justification and motivation for the continued existence of honour-based violence (HBV) in South Asian Muslim communities. Current scholarly assumptions are that honour-based violence, otherwise known as honour killings, is a means of protecting or restoring an individual and their family’s perceived loss of honour (izzat). Although this continued postulation may be valid, is limited because the focus on HBV is predominately based on only two factors: women and Islam. This present narrative, research, and scrutiny, especially of women, is based on their culpability for the loss of honour. The victims, mostly women, are subject to abuse and murder. However, despite Muslims confirmation that Islam does not promote HBV, it is undeniable that HBV is prevalent within Muslim communities While there is an awareness of the victims of this violence and religious reasons that inform it, there is insufficient research regarding the perpetrator’s (mainly men), mental state. Currently there is little to no understanding behind the justifications for committing HBV as a means for combating shame and dishonour of the perpetrators. Nor are their justifications from the families experience due to the perceived offenses committed by female relatives. In particular, the importance given to the concept of log kya kahenge is in need of further investigation as a source for HBV. This would involve community influence as well as the fear of condemnation and/or ostracization. This thesis argues that the concept of honour is based upon affirmation and prestige dictated (handed down) by others. The loss of honour, or shame (sharam), is also dependent upon the perceived or actual perception of the community. It is the 6 community’s involvement which influences the perpetrator’s evaluation of their own honour and subsequently their identity. However, any perceived shame on the perpetrator and subsequently their family, would then be considered an attack on their identity and acceptance within that community. For scholars who want to study the subversive relationship between the perpetrator and community requires an examination of motivating triggers that encourages HBV, justifying not only violence, but in many cases murder. The endurance of honour-based violence requires scholars to study the interpretation (ijtihad) of religions, in particular, Islamic rhetoric that is used to validate cultural and traditional heteronormativity. Any rationalizations of HBV require analysing the relationship between the perpetrator and their community. This relationship is multifaceted, and by using multiple sociological theories, it confirms the community’s substantial influence. This is done through intimidation, coercion, and encouragement of the perpetrator and their family to commit violence and murder against any woman who has challenged existing gender norms. Each of the upcoming chapters in this thesis illustrates aspects of this particular relationship and the reasons for continuing the existence and endurance of honour-based violence (HBV). Chapter One: The Subject of Violence Against Women This chapter provides a basic understanding of how violence against women (VAW) has been normalized and even trivialized historically through various cultural institutions and systems worldwide. The unfortunate reality is that patriarchy, despite its detrimental effect on both sexes, has determined horrific consequences for women. The World Health Organization has estimated that: “1 in 3 (35%) of all women worldwide have experienced either physical and/or sexual 7 intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence in their lifetime.”1 This statistic is further evidence for the use of severe terms such as gendercide or femicide that confirms VAW is rooted within a universal patriarchy that is not predicated on a specific region, race, class, ethnicity, religion etc. To understand the extent that women are horrifically abused worldwide, requires confirming the overarching reality whereby women are systematically abused through crimes. The reality of this system of abuse includes female infanticide, acid attacks, female genital mutilation, breast flattening, child marriages, kitchen deaths, and honour killings, and more prevalent actions are those of domestic violence and sexual abuse Chapter Two: The Implications of Religion, Culture and Tradition This chapter evaluates the role of both religion and culture as they apply to violence against women (VAW). In order to recognize their influence on VAW, it is first necessary to understand key religious, cultural, and traditional terms that have been responsible in the othering of women. This chapter focuses on the monotheistic religions, Judaism, Christianity and Islam, and their obsessions with Eve’s portrayal in religious texts. Eve’s sexuality is of special concern in the Western tradition. The Fall is regarded (whether literally or metaphorically) as a sexual event. Eve is guilty of wishing to be in control her own sexual life. Some very deep, partially unarticulated fears are behind the male insistence that she be denied the freedom to make her own decisions about her bodily life.2 Interpreting Eve’s actions as her desire to control her own sexuality, she is symbolically challenging patriarchal social norms and values.3 Making

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