Saturday, December 15, 2007

Lingering questions

Trying to make sense of the Aqsa Parvez murder becomes even more difficult as time goes on.

Today's National Post describes the relationship between Aqsa and her parents through the eyes of the Tahir family, which had offered her a place to stay prior to Aqsa's death (Aqsa's last days):

...The Tahirs say that days after she moved in with them, Mr. and Ms. Parvez came over, and both families had a two hour meeting with Aqsa.

Her mother cried. Mr. Parvez calmly implored his daughter in Punjabi to tell him why she left and what he could do to bring her home. Aqsa barely spoke, except to say that she "just wanted change," according to Ms. Tahir. Privately Aqsa told her that she wanted "to get more out of life".

Mr. Parvez appeared to be relieved that his daughter was safe, said Ms. Tahir, and not alone on the street. He was content to see Aqsa living in a household that resembled his own, said Ms. Tahir, and told her to stay as long as she needed to. Aqsa asked if she could bring items from her house back, and he said they would arrange that "together."

"That's how he left," said Ms. Tahir, an immigration and paralegal consultant who immigrated from Pakistan 10 years ago.

But Aqsa, it seemed, was still searching for independence.

A few days after that first meeting, over coffee in Tim Hortons, Aqsa told her father that she wanted to live on her own, she wanted to go to school in the mornings and work in the evenings. Mr. Parvez offered to let her take over the basement. Aqsa said she would think about it...

( . . . )


Aqsa did not have a boyfriend, said Ms. Tahir, who expressed dismay at the "rumours" in the press, including speculation that it was conflict over wearing the hijab that triggered the alleged murder.

The Tahirs did not know of any dispute over Aqsa wearing a hijab and said that the older Parvez sisters did not always wear the head scarf.



By that account, you would think that all was sunshine and roses with this family - Just a small issue of teenage rebellion.

So exactly what went so horribly wrong when Aqsa went home to collect more clothes?

Something just doesn't add up here.

* * * *
Saturday Update: Michael Coren - Denial is sickening.

Sunday Update: Lorrie Goldstein - Murder elicits the extreme.




17 comments:

Anonymous said...

You don't suppose that the truthfulness of the Tahirs myight be questionable or perhaps the Parvez's?

It is not only permissible but required of Muslims to tell falsehoods for the advancement of Islam.

Anonymous said...

there are no questions. the guy is a muslim, he killed her because she wouldn't behave as chatel, like all women are under islam.

Joanne (True Blue) said...

Let's remember to use the word "alleged".

Anonymous said...

Joanne;

Do you mean "alleged" Muslim, or "alleged" to have strangled his daughter, or the Mrs. Tahir is "alleged" to be truthfull, or the daughter was "alleged" to be chatel?

I could go on and on but it sickens me. For anyone to do such a deed and then hide behind the curtain of religion is despicable. Even worse is for anyone to try and explian it away or excuse the deed as "cultural" or "an aberation".

This is "allegedly" Islam and how it operates and believes. Re-read Michael Coren's column to get just a few examples from the recent past. I could list hundreds more but it would be wasted. Those who realize what Islam is about don't need any more convincing and those who don't believe cannot have their minds changed, regardless of what proof is brought forward.

Chris from Winnipeg

Anonymous said...

given the question of how in some cultures females serve and do not question males, husbands, fathers etc. perhaps his wife fears for her life too should she speak against him.

Joanne (True Blue) said...

Chris, I hear you.

The alleged refers to "he killed her because she wouldn't behave as chatel"

First of all, the father has been charged but not convicted yet. Innocent until proven guilty.

Also, we still don't know exactly what happened, nor do we know the motive.

However, I agree with you that we have reason to be suspicious, to put it mildly.

Anonymous said...

Here one that the MSM is avoiding...
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Crime/2007/12/15/4726087-sun.html

Ahh those Amish crazies....

Joanne (True Blue) said...

A few readers have left some comments that verge on the point of hate speech. Please tone it down a bit and I'll reconsider. Interesting that they're all 'anonymous'.

Anonymous said...

Michael Coren's article is sickening.

While paying lip service in one line to "nobody says all Muslims are violent", the rest of his article is pretty hateful. "The episode of Little Mosque on the Prairie that I missed", he sneers. Sheesh!

Somehow this is all the fault of the "left", isn't it? Coren hides his contempt well, but still can't resist saying we need to discuss things "even if it offends", which he of course did very well in his opening paragraphs.

Why do we see this constant theme that to the "left", this murder is somehow ok? It is not. It is murder and as such, is inexcusable.

We would get a lot further in the issues of the day without the constant bleating by some, of things such as "you don't support the troops", "you support the Taliban", "you support honour killing". But for some, no barrier is too low in their quest for partisan advantage.

Anonymous said...

Let's be frank here. Liberals would love to diss the old man but until the 'revolution' is complete they still need votes from people like him. They are opportunist hypocrites and are NEVER to be trusted. How do you deal with people like that? Well I learned a lesson today, was watching first Star Wars movie and Leia was being question on where the rebel base was she lied knowing that the Dark Side would not keep to their word to spare her home planet. Sometimes the reality is a bit much for decent people to accept, that our enemies are slimy and that we must always keep that in mind. (real conservative)

Anonymous said...

I would put the words Honour Killing into the alleged column as well. I have known other fathers (non muslims) that 'lost it' when dealing with their daughter's self destructive ways. Although the fathers I speak of did not kill their daughters police and social workers became involved. At the same time I would not rule out the ME Islamic cultural background as having some influence in this matter.

Joanne (True Blue) said...

I would put the words Honour Killing into the alleged column as well.

I agree. We don't know all the facts yet. It's possible we never will.

Joanne (True Blue) said...

Major, I'm still trying to decipher both of your comment submissions. Please be patient.

Joanne (True Blue) said...

Major, could you please resubmit your comments and explain what you're trying to suggest? I realize that Aqsa's father has not been proven guilty. I mentioned that just a few comments earlier.

Anonymous said...

Joanne, I wonder why you are so selective in the comments you post.

You know, I have more respect for you if you actually posted what you think instead of this childish game you seem to play.

Trying to be the popular Connie instead of posting what you really think...

Joanne (True Blue) said...

You know, I have more respect for you if you actually posted what you think instead of this childish game you seem to play.

You make the erroneous assumption that I would care what you think about me.

maryT said...

Just read a small item in our local paper-hundreds of mourners miss funeral. Seems the family changed plans because of the media coverage.