3. Background
• Aqsa "Axa" Parvez (April 22, 1991 – December
10, 2007) was the victim of an Islamic honour
killing in Mississauga, Ontario.
• During the murder trial, Superior Court Justice
Bruce Durno acknowledged the slaying as an
Islamic honour killing, stating, "that he found it
"profoundly disturbing that a 16-year-old could be
murdered by a father and brother for the purpose
of saving family pride, for saving them from what
they perceived as family embarrassment.”
• Her brother, Waqas Parvez, had strangled her to
death when Aqsa would not wear an hijab
covering.
• Parvez's death was reported internationally and
sparked a debate about the status of women in
Islamic communities.
• According to Islam, one can only begin to wear
hijab when they are ready themselves.
• According to some, it was her father's inability to
try to understand his daughter that resulted in
him murdering her and thus being charged and
convicted.
4. • Parvez was a student of Applewood Heights Secondary School
in Mississauga. Her father, Muhammad Parvez, was a taxicab
driver.
• Growing up in a Muslim family of Pakistani origin, she was
forced to wear a hijab while out of the house. However, many
friends claimed that she refused to wear the veil and would
often change her clothing once she got to school and then
would change back before going home.
• Her friends also claimed that she was drawn to Western
culture though her family adhered to a devout form of Islam
and that she was not getting along well with her family.
• A week before her death, she had moved in with the family of
a neighbourto escape tension with her family.
5. The Incident
• Around 8 am on December 10, 2007, Peel Regional Police responded to a
911 call from a man who had said he had just killed his daughter.
• When officers arrived at a single-family detached home, they found Parvez
suffering from life-threatening injuries.She was immediately taken to Credit
Valley Hospital and later transferred in critical condition to the Hospital for
Sick Children where she died.
• It was learned in court in 2010 that it was her brother who had strangled
her, causing her to die from neck compression.
• One student reported that her father was threatening her, causing her to
fear for her life. Parvez's friends also said she wanted to run away from her
family to escape the conflicts with them.
6. The Outcome
• Muhammad Parvez was charged with second-degree murder and denied
bail. Her older brother, Waqas Parvez, who was ordered by his father to not
communicate with police, was originally facing a charge of obstructing
police and placed in custody. He was released on bail and was ordered to
reside with his surety and surrender his passport. However, on June 27,
Waqas Parvez was charged by Peel Regional Police with first-degree
murder.
• Some people consider her murder to be a case of an honour killing, while
some Islamic leaders claimed that it is only a case of domestic violence.
• Her death has also sparked a debate about the status of women in Islamic
communities.
• Later a statement by her father to her mother right after murdering her was
publicized, supporting the honor killing theory: “My community will say you
have not been able to control your daughter. This is my insult. She is
making me naked.”[12]
• A public funeral was to take place for Parvez at 1:30 pm at a Mississauga
mosque on December 15, 2007. However, hours before the funeral, her
family decided to instead have a private funeral for privacy reasons.
• Parvez was buried in an unmarked grave at the Meadowvale Cemetery in
Brampton; her family refused a donation of a gravestone and a memorial.
7.
8. What About Her Mother?
• In a police interview after her daughter's
murder, Anwar Jan said her husband told her
afterward he killed his daughter because "this
is my insult. My community will say you have
not been able to control your daughter. This
is my insult. She is making me naked." Jan
added that, in Pakistan, it's normal to
kill a girl or disown her if she doesn't
obey her parents.
9. And Her Sister?
• Aqsa's sister, Shasma Parvez, told police
that Aqsa was disrespecting her father and
her Muslim religion "by running away ... it
made her dad and brother mad.“
• She added, "Whoever did this to her sister
shouldn't go to jail."
