She Married for Love—And Her Brother Killed Her for Honor
When choosing a lawful path becomes a death sentence in the name of culture.
That martyred daughter, holding her scarf and adjusting her veil with full dignity, walked herself to the place of execution and waited for her share of bullets.
She did not beg, nor did she plead at anyone’s feet —
Because she knew that these shameless men could only satisfy their twisted sense of manhood through her innocent blood.
Why do you make fornication easier than marriage?
They were both adults and chose the lawful way to start a new life together.
O oppressors! If they had committed fornication, perhaps there wouldn’t have been a problem at all.
Once again, her love is on trial in the tribal council,
Today, she has gone again — into the circle of turbaned men.
She was just a girl who wanted to marry the one she loved — lawfully. She didn’t commit any sin. She didn’t elope or bring shame. But her own family decided that her love was dishonor, and they killed her for it.
This is not just her story — it is the story of countless girls whose dreams are buried with them.
Until we raise our voices, this cycle of bloodshed will continue in the name of false pride.
Honor Killing: A Brutal Reality That Shakes the Soul
In Pakistan and across South Asia, the term "honor killing" has become a deep scar in the fabric of society. Girls are murdered — often by their own family members — for loving someone, marrying by choice, or simply wanting to live life on their own terms.
This is the story of such a girl.
She chose a lawful path — she married the man she loved, with mutual consent, through a valid Islamic marriage (Nikah). She did not commit a sin, nor did she defy her faith. Yet, her brother killed her in the name of "honor."
No court. No hearing. No chance to explain.
Just one decision, one weapon, and one innocent body on the ground.
The Hypocrisy of Society
This isn’t just one girl’s tragedy — it reflects the hypocrisy rooted deep within society. In a culture where a girl who marries lawfully is killed, while those who engage in premarital affairs are often ignored or even secretly celebrated, who really is without honor?
Is honor only about controlling women?
Is a man’s every decision justified while a woman’s every desire considered sin?
Does love belong only to men, and women exist only to sacrifice?
These questions scream out, but sadly, society remains silent.
The Injustice of Tribal Councils and Jirgas
Another layer of cruelty lies in the tribal councils and "jirgas," where a few self-declared "honorable" elders decide the fate of a woman’s life. These decisions lack law, mercy, or faith — they are based purely on false pride, ego, and control.
Even today, many girls grow up in fear that if they ever make their own life decision, their end will be the same as that of the martyred daughter.
What Islam Really Says
Islam is crystal clear about this matter:
> "Nikah is my Sunnah. Whoever turns away from my Sunnah is not of me." — Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
Islam encourages lawful marriage and prohibits unlawful relationships. The Prophet made marriage easy and condemned those who made it difficult. Yet in our society, marriage has become so complicated that people find sin easier — and still, when someone chooses the right path, they’re punished for it.
What Needs to Change?
1. Legal Reform:
Honor killing must be treated as an unforgivable crime under the law. Killers should not be allowed to walk free under "family forgiveness."
2. Education and Awareness:
The public must be educated — through schools, media, and mosques — that daughters and sisters are not burdens, but blessings deserving respect and rights.
3. Religious Leadership:
Imams and religious scholars must speak openly from the pulpits against honor-based violence and clarify Islam's stance on love, marriage, and justice.
About the Creator
Atif jamal
I write heart-touching stories and thought-provoking articles inspired by nature, emotions, and everyday life
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U.S. Pushes for Faster Action to Cut Reliance on China for Rare Earths
Rare Earths: Small Minerals, Massive Power Rare earth elements may sound obscure, but they sit at the heart of modern life. From smartphones and electric vehicles to fighter jets and missile systems, these minerals are essential to both civilian technology and national defense. That reality is why the United States is now pushing for quicker, more decisive action to reduce its dependence on China for rare earth supplies. For years, Washington talked about diversification. Now, it wants speed. The shift reflects growing concern that reliance on a geopolitical rival for critical materials is no longer sustainable in an era of strategic competition. Why China’s Dominance Worries Washington China controls roughly 60–70% of global rare earth mining and an even larger share of processing and refining. Even when rare earths are mined elsewhere, they are often shipped to China for processing. This gives Beijing enormous leverage over global supply chains. U.S. officials fear that in a moment of heightened tension—over Taiwan, trade disputes, or technology restrictions—China could restrict exports. Beijing has already hinted at this possibility in the past, using export controls as a diplomatic tool. From Washington’s perspective, this is not a hypothetical risk. It is a strategic vulnerability that touches everything from renewable energy goals to military readiness. Rare Earths and National Security Few issues unite Democrats and Republicans as strongly as national security. Rare earths fall squarely into that category. Advanced weapons systems rely on these materials for precision guidance, radar, and communications. A disrupted supply could delay production, weaken deterrence, and raise costs dramatically. Pentagon officials have repeatedly warned that dependence on China for defense-critical materials undermines U.S. security. As a result, rare earth supply chains are increasingly viewed through the same lens as energy independence once was. This framing explains the urgency behind Washington’s push for faster action. Why “Quicker Action” Matters Now The U.S. has discussed rare earth independence for over a decade, yet progress has been slow. Mining projects face environmental reviews, local opposition, and long development timelines. Processing facilities require heavy investment and technical expertise that has largely migrated to China. What has changed is the global context. Rising U.S.-China tensions, supply-chain disruptions during the pandemic, and growing demand for clean energy technologies have compressed timelines. Waiting another decade is no longer acceptable to policymakers. Quicker action now means fast-tracking permits, increasing federal funding, and working more aggressively with allies. The Role of Allies in Diversification The United States does not expect to solve the rare earth challenge alone. Instead, Washington is pushing for a “friend-shoring” strategy—building supply chains with trusted partners rather than relying on geopolitical rivals. Australia, Canada, Japan, and several European countries are key players in this effort. Australia already hosts significant rare earth mining operations, while Japan has invested heavily in reducing its own dependence on China after facing export restrictions in the past. By coordinating investment, sharing technology, and aligning regulations, the U.S. hopes to create an alternative ecosystem that can compete with China’s dominance. Environmental and Economic Tensions Rare earth mining is not clean. It involves toxic waste, radioactive byproducts, and significant environmental risks. Ironically, minerals essential for green technologies come with heavy environmental costs at the extraction stage. This creates a political dilemma. Americans want clean energy, but often oppose mining projects in their own communities. Faster action will require balancing environmental protections with strategic necessity—a challenge that has stalled projects in the past. The Biden administration, like administrations before it, faces pressure to prove that domestic mining can be done responsibly without undermining climate commitments. China’s Likely Response Beijing is watching these developments closely. While China has not yet weaponized rare earth exports on a large scale, it understands the leverage it holds. At the same time, China is moving up the value chain—focusing more on advanced manufacturing and less on raw material exports. If the U.S. accelerates diversification successfully, China may respond by tightening export controls in the short term while investing in higher-end technologies that keep it indispensable in other ways. This dynamic underscores that rare earths are not just a resource issue, but part of a broader strategic competition. Economic Implications Beyond Security Reducing reliance on China is not only about defense. It is also about economic resilience. Supply disruptions during the pandemic exposed how fragile global supply chains can be. Rare earth shortages could slow electric vehicle adoption, raise consumer prices, and delay infrastructure projects. By pushing for faster action, Washington hopes to stabilize future growth and protect key industries. Domestic production and allied partnerships could also create jobs and spur innovation, particularly in rural and industrial regions. However, building new supply chains will not be cheap. Consumers and taxpayers may face higher costs in the short term as alternatives to Chinese supplies come online. Challenges That Could Slow Progress Despite political momentum, obstacles remain. Mining projects take years to develop. Processing facilities require specialized knowledge. Workforce shortages, local resistance, and regulatory complexity all pose risks to rapid progress. There is also the danger of overpromising. Policymakers must manage expectations, making clear that reducing reliance on China is a long-term effort, even if action accelerates now. Failure to deliver tangible results could weaken public support and give critics ammunition. Final Thoughts The U.S. push for quicker action in reducing reliance on China for rare earths marks a turning point. What was once a niche policy issue has become a strategic priority at the highest levels of government. This is not about cutting China out of the global economy entirely. It is about ensuring that no single country can control materials essential to modern life and national defense. Speed, coordination, and political will will determine whether Washington succeeds. As competition intensifies, rare earths will remain a quiet but powerful force shaping the future of technology, security, and global influence. The race is no longer just about who has the minerals—but who controls the supply chains that define the 21st centur
By Muhammad Hassan6 days ago in The Swamp
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