A Social Analysis of the Curse of Honor Killings
- The day our daughters feel safe within their own homes will be the day Sindh becomes truly free and truly developed.
By Abdullah Usman Morai | Sweden
This is a story from a long time ago, when I was a child. In the city of Moro, there used to come a man whom everyone called “Sujawal Waro Sain,” because he came from Sujawal, Sindh. His appearance was extremely simple: a light beard, barefoot, wearing a blue shirt, white shalwar, and a white cap on his head. I often saw him in our ancestral mosque, Soomra Masjid, which was adjacent to our home.
During prayers and while walking through the streets, he would constantly glance from side to side, as though his eyes were wandering. It felt as if he were speaking to some unseen creature or hidden being. At that age, we were children and did not know whether he truly possessed any spiritual powers or not, but people had immense faith in him. It was widely believed that he came to remove “Dheedh Jinns,” evil spirits that haunted people’s houses.
Even today, it feels as though those “Dheedh Jinns” still exist within our society. However, they are not invisible creatures; they are our own attitudes, mindsets, and cruel traditions. Among the most dangerous and ignorant of these customs is “Karo Kari”, the killing of women in the name of honor. In my opinion, it should not even be called a tradition; it is a mental disease rooted in a particular mindset.
Karo Kari: The Fundamental Problems Behind a Baseless and Ignorant Practice
In our society, the concept of “honor” has been tied to the existence of women. A man’s dignity is measured through a woman’s personal choices and desires. This distorted understanding of honor forms the very foundation of oppression and violence.
Today, cases of Karo Kari are rapidly increasing across Sindh. Killing women in the name of honor is not only a crime but an extreme form of ignorance. Even when cases are registered, weak laws, political influence, tribal councils (jirgas), and societal pressure often allow the perpetrators to escape punishment. Due to illiteracy, many people accept traditions without questioning them.
In many places, women are not treated as independent human beings but rather as the property of their families. Their choices, wishes, and life decisions are controlled by others. In reality, however, a woman is a complete and independent individual who has every right to make decisions about her own life, especially regarding marriage.
If we examine the double standards imposed upon men and women, the reality is that men are often equally or even more involved in immoral relationships, yet punishment is directed solely at women. Tragically, when a man engages in illicit relationships, society tends to ignore it, but even a mere suspicion against a woman can lead to her becoming a target and ultimately being killed.
The Silence of Parliament: A Major Problem
The representatives whom we elect and send to parliament remain silent on this critical issue throughout their entire terms. In fact, many of them do not speak about any issue at all during their years in office. If they are incapable of creating effective policies and strict laws to protect the mothers and daughters of Sindh, then what purpose do such representatives serve?
The people sitting in these assemblies are themselves the “Dheedh Jinns,” revolving only around their personal interests. When we observe the current condition of Sindh today, it feels as though our society, especially our parliament, once again needs a “Sujawal waro Sain” to expel these silent parliamentarians who have become the true “Dheedh Jinns” of our society.
Those members who do raise their voices deserve appreciation and respect.
Solutions and Strategies: How Can This Curse Be Eliminated?
To eliminate this complex issue, we must adopt a multidimensional strategy:
- The Power of Education
If girls are educated, they will be aware of their legal and religious rights. Education empowers women to raise their voices against oppression. An educated mother nurtures a conscious and enlightened generation.
- The Role of Religious Scholars
Islam grants women a high and honorable status. Religious scholars should openly speak against Karo Kari in their sermons and gatherings and educate people that killing in the name of honor is completely against Islamic teachings.
- Civil Society and Media
Civil society organizations should launch awareness campaigns in rural areas. The media should present such incidents not merely as news stories, but as serious social evils, so that murderers receive exemplary punishment. At the household level, children should be taught that honor lies not in controlling others but in humanity and compassion.
- Self-Defense
The need of the time is for women to become physically strong as well. If girls are taught karate or other self-defense skills in schools and colleges, they may be able to protect themselves during sudden attacks. Physical strength can also give them mental courage and confidence.
- Political Will
Politicians should not limit themselves to speeches alone. We need strict laws under which those involved in Karo Kari cannot receive any form of pardon, regardless of how influential or powerful they may be.
In essence, the purpose of saying all this is simple: a woman is not anyone’s property; she is a human being. If society does not consider men’s illicit relationships a “problem,” then how can the shedding of a woman’s blood be justified?
Honor killing is not merely a social issue; it is a collective failure of education, law, politics, and humanity itself. If we truly desire change, we must transform our thinking, raise our voices, and take action at every level.
Today, we once again need a “Sujawal waro Sain” who can hunt down those involved in these horrific murders and expose those lawmakers who remain silently inactive instead of legislating against such crimes. Or perhaps, in truth, each one of us must become that “Sujawal waro Sain” ourselves, someone who cleanses our homes, streets, and assemblies of these silent “Dheedh Jinns” that cling to society like termites, slowly consuming it from within.
We must remember this: the day our daughters feel safe within their own homes will be the day Sindh becomes truly free and truly developed.
Read: One Sins, Another Pays Price
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Abdullah Soomro, penname Abdullah Usman Morai, hailing from Moro town of Sindh, province of Pakistan, is based in Stockholm Sweden. Currently he is working as Groundwater Engineer in Stockholm Sweden. He did BE (Agriculture) from Sindh Agriculture University Tando Jam and MSc water systems technology from KTH Stockholm Sweden as well as MSc Management from Stockholm University. Beside this he also did masters in journalism and economics from Shah Abdul Latif University Khairpur Mirs, Sindh. He is author of a travelogue book named ‘Musafatoon’. His second book is in process. He writes articles from time to time. A frequent traveler, he also does podcast on YouTube with channel name: VASJE Podcast.
