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We all have important values and ideas, things we care about and want to share. Sometimes we feel our ideas can even change the world, and we want to let other people know how they can join in and help to make a difference. The issue of honor killings is not only a Women's issue, although since women are the primary victims of these crimes it may seem so, but I believe that the men that commit these crimes are victims as well. Victims of a tribal belief and custom that dates back to 1200 B.C. (pre-dating both Christianity and Islam) that has robbed them of a true connection and relationship with the women in their life. A big mistake that many people make is to assume that these types of crimes are an Islamic practice, Honor Killings are a tribal tradition, a cultural hangover from our tribal days, because 96% of the population of Jordan is Islamic, the majority of the victims are Islamic, but Christian women fall victim to this practice as well. Through the years this practice has found its way into our laws, and our lower house of parliament is using the Islamic religion to justify the existence of the laws that allow it to continue by protecting the perpetrators of these crimes. Honor Crimes do not only affect the victim, they affect the lives of the victims mothers, children, friends and family, and so Honor Crimes are a Human Rights Issue, and as a Human Rights Issue everyone has the right to get involved and demand change.
I lost my best friend to this barbaric practice, and her loss has changed my life forever. "Dalia" was a beautiful, intelligent, wonderful muslim woman who was barbarically murdered at the hands of her own father when she was only 26. I loved her like a sister, which is why I made a promise that I would not allow her death to be in vain...it was that promise that has led me to writing the book "Forbidden Love"/"Honor Lost" and starting an international letter writing campaign to abolish the laws that allow this practice to continue. Please help me to fulfill the promise that I have made to "Dalia", and please also keep in mind that "Dalia" represents the millions of other women still living under such threat daily. I have made the campaign very easy for all of those who would like to get involved. Instead of writing numerous letters to numerous places, you could send one letter of objection to me, and I will make the copies and mail it to all of the relevant offices. I also personally reply to all of the letters that I receive, and so if you have any questions please feel free to contact me(see details on the Contact Me page). It will only take a few moments of your time...but that few moments can make a tremendous difference in the lives of millions of women. Please USE YOUR FREEDOM of speech to MAKE THE DIFFERENCE! Become the voice for those who can not speak out by sending your letter today.
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Mission Statement:
My mission, my ultimate goal is to abolish the laws that allow honor killings to continue. I have chosen to start in Jordan because it is my homeland, and where I lost Dalia, but I will not stop until this practice is outlawed in all the middle eastern countries that currently have laws that sanction it. I know that by abolishing the laws we will not be stopping all honor crimes, but I do believe that once the laws are abolished and strict punishment is put in place, that the number of honor killings will decrease dramatically. It has been proven that over 90% of honor killings are committed based on rumor and suspicion, or for inheritance reasons, the victims are still virgins at the time of their death, as Dalia was, and so I believe that the majority of these crimes would not occur if the perpetrators knew that they would be facing strict punishment such as life in prison.
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