I know I don’t ordinarily post things of this nature but I am absolutely sickened by the news of the murder of 26 year old, Pakistani social media icon, Qandeel Baloch. Murdered by her brother in what is being referred to as an “honor killing.” (What an oxymoron that is! As if there could ever be honor in killing! It should be known as coward killing!) I am not only sickened that these acts of violence against women are tacitly allowed to take place but that I had to accidentally happen upon the news on Instagram. How is this news not being plastered all over CNN and other major news programs? If it were an american “reality star” or other celebrity, the news would clog the airways. I would never wish harm on anyone no matter what their station, but I am particularly outraged that something as atrocious as a young woman’s silently sanctioned murder by her brother because she refused to conform to cultural and religious ideas of a woman’s place as an inferior member of a society, hasn’t created worldwide public outrage.
An Act of Terrorism?
Many of us are appalled by the terrorist acts around the world that seem to be occurring more frequently–crowded gatherings and populated cities are of particular concern for all of us. These acts of violence are indeed terrorizing and unbelievably tragic but the definition of terrorism needs to expand to include “honor killing” and the threat of “honor killing.” These women live in fear that if they don’t conform to cultural expectations for women or are even raped they could easily be killed, not by some crazed madman or group but by their own family with no protection from authorities. These women have no place to turn for protection and their murder is even often applauded. This could certainly be considered a terrorist act to say the least.
Let’s NOT turn a blind eye to these women’s plight.
There are some reports that Qandeel’s brother strangled her to death but others report that her mouth and nose were pinned shut, cutting off her airway. She had urgently requested protection from authorities as she feared for her life and received none…clearly. What if this were your sister, your friend, your mother, daughter…or you? Where can these women turn? How do these things still occur in our world today and how is this not headline news! Let us not just turn away because this is not happy news. Let’s at the very least spread the news with the hopes that worldwide outrage might press upon those who still turn a blind eye to these things at best and support them at worst, and might finally put an end to this and other atrocious acts of violence against women and girls in the world of every religion and race.
That country seems kind of misogynistic!
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Women need to unite, if we don’t do it together who will. We need to make sure we are allowed to chose what happens to our bodies and not allow men to choose for us.
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[…] Princess Sassy Pants. She is absolutely right. Break the silence on ‘honour’ killings and other forms of […]
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I’ve heard of these “Honor killings” before. “Part of their culture”…it infuriates me. Shared on FB. And I, too, have no idea why this is not on CNN or MSNBC. What ever happened to World News?~Bethe
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Awful, awful incident!! Just found this on your FB page which I follow religiously,
I’m a blogger and I would like to reblog this. How do I do it?
Didn’t find the reblog button …. TY!! Peace .. __/l\__
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Thank you Dr. Rex. I’m not entirely sure how you would reblog this but I did find this info https://en.support.wordpress.com/reblogs/. Please let me know if this works.
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😦 …. it tells me how to reblog. I’ve done that plenty times.
However, your post doesn’t have the “reblog button” …. I don’t know why!!
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I’ve been to other posts. These are the options there: Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Pinterest & Press This … no reblog button.
I think that would be a change you’d need to make on your end if you want visitors to be able to reblog your posts.
I don’t know how to do that. Maybe the best bet would be to contact WordPress …. Hugs!!
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Maybe this is what needs to be done, if you are interested in others reblogging your posts.
“Is there anyway I can disable the reblog option?
“Yes, if you decide you would rather not offer the option to reblog your post, you can disable the button by navigating to Sharing → Sharing Buttons.
Disable Show reblog button under Reblog & Like and the Reblog button will no longer appear on your blog posts. Likewise, if you later decide you would like to offer users the option to reblog your content, you can enable the feature.”
I’d say you’d need to enable the rebbloging feature. 🙂
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Thank you. The reblog option is enabled and has been but I don’t see it on any the blogs I’m following either. When I go into my reader it looks like the only option on posts is a share icon and then it looks like I can select a blog to share it to. Is it possible the reblog option is now the share option? Not sure.
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I went back …. and still don’t think the reblog button … 😦
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On way out. Will recheck when I get back.
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BEAUTIFUL!! So passionately & eloquently put!!
Sent from my iPad
>
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Muslim Sharia Law is atrocious!
I cannot fathom it. What I’m about to say is horrific.
Muslim women are born into a society of perpetual fear. Conform or die. They are viewed as property. They will either be their future spouse’s queen or doormat. They can be beaten, tortured, starved, held captive, murdered by poison, battery, fire, or disfigured or due by having acid thrown on them. This can happen if their mate is dissatisfied with them, has speculation of them sinning, looking too provocatively in front of others, or if they are dissatisfied with the amout of dowry they receive at the time of marriage.
I understand the brother murdered this woman. Sadly it seems that there are far worse fates out there for them also.
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Thanks so much for the additional information. These things are so unbelievably heartbreaking and unconscionable. So very sad.
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Our local TV news (in PA) had it on their “crawler” but that is the only place I saw it. “Honor Killing” under Muslim Sharia Law is horrible. (the entire Sharia Law is terrible). Fox News has a few women commentators occasionally who have escaped from Muslim countries,(and some parts of our own USA!) and they try to get the word out about Muslim Sharia Law. It is mind-numbing to listen to, sounds like the fifth century :(~~carol~~
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I so agree–so difficult to wrap one’s mind around how these things could be allowed in the world today.
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I read the account I. This morning’s local newspaper. FLorida, USA
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This was on the BBC news here in UK.
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What kind of Law?, Religion or other is this type of thing justified???
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I’m not sure I understand what you’re trying to say Pat. xo
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So sad but no matter what we do they will still treat women the same way unless they leave. But even sadder is they cannot leave as they are murdered before they can. We can post this but even stronger is to pray. I am going to contact a reporter I know. Thank you for this.
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Change might not come quickly or easily but I do believe that change is possible and this has been demonstrated throughout history with regards to many oppressed groups. I do believe the more light that is shed on these atrocities the closer we come to seeing them end and that we can be of help in that. You are so right that prayer, rightly understood, can do more than all of these. Let’s pray AND post. xo 🙂 Thank you so much for your comment.
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Unfortunately US news is phony and white washed…?One must keep up with global news to know what’s really going on in the rest of the world… It’s crazy to know that in this day and age we’re no better off than the Middle Ages… Technology has advanced… Humanity hasn’t… So sad…
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Thanks Queen Tati. xo
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I heard it on Public Radio Broadcast, and was also sickened. I do not know how to deal with a society that thinks murder is respected with the name…Honor Killing. Obviously women’s lives dl not matter, have no significance in this backward countries. Heartbreaking.
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Thanks Rosalyn. It’s good to know that at least Public Radio is reporting on this. We can be this young women’s family and not allow her murder to go unnoticed. xo
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sickening, I was just reading about it on the BBC news – thanks for your post ❤
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I know. It’s so heartbreaking. I’m curious, how did you hear about this? I’ve been watching CNN since early this morning in the US and have not heard it even mentioned. I hope that this poor young woman’s life might be used to save other women from these terrible acts of worst kind of terrorism. (Not to say there’s a good kind.) xo
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