Nobody listened. Now she’s dead.

Canadians are shocked by the murder of Aqsa Parvez, the 16-year old girl in Toronto, the day before yesterday. My blogpost here explains.

And here is Irshad Manji:

Aqsa Parvez told friends and adults at her public high school that she feared what her father would do if she stuck by her decision to reject the hijab — the Islamic headscarf. She also said it’s better to live in a shelter than at home.

Nobody listened. Now she’s dead.

Moderate Muslims have warned that we shouldn’t leap to conclusions. Who knows what other dynamics infected her family, spout hijab-hooded mouthpieces on Canadian TV. Not once have I heard these upstanding Muslims say that whatever the “family dynamics,” killing is not a solution. Ever. How’s that for basic morality?

(H/T: Dreams into Lightning)

The Globe and Mail reports:

In just a few days, Ms. Parvez's killing has become an international news story. Dozens of blogs and social networking groups have shifted focus from the teen's death to heated debates about the role of Islam in the West.

Now Mr. Badat must address issues such as religion, parenting and anger management in an environment where the three have become indistinguishable to many.

"Generally, the Muslim community is vigilant when these things happen," he said. "The non-Muslim community is also tolerant and people behave like true Canadian citizens.

"But we need to be alert - there are always people who will go beyond borders of justice and understanding."

I don't understand what is being said in these paragraphs. A daughter is murdered, because she refuses to adapt to a certain code of dress, and the community in which she lived is concerned with "religion, parenting and anger management"? What does it mean, that Aqsa's murder is a result of three factors, only one of which is religion? Doesn't the religion carry the onus of blame in this crime, as the prime motive? Sounds to me like a lame attempt at mitigation, that religion may have played a part but only a partial part. It seems that anxiety at preserving the reputation of Islam is greater than the sorrow for the lost life of this girl.

What does the Imam mean, when he commends non-Muslim Canadians for being "tolerant" and "behaving like true Canadians"?

Tolerant of what are they? And in what way does a true Canadian behave?