Canada: Again, Clash of Cultures Proves Deadly

by Barry Artiste | December 11, 2007 at 05:54 am

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Update :Opinion

Barry Artiste, Now Public Contributor

Canada once again has another tragedy on it's hand over Culture, in what seems to be a long standing clash of cultures in which dozens of women in recent memory are murderered by family members by not abiding to a Mans wishes on how they should act, dress, speak and associate with others, even in their own houshold. Policitians lack of backbone in their undying quest for the ethnic vote are also complicit in their inaction to end this tragedy. Town hall meetings are useless, information on our western culture, traditions and law need to be stated well in advance in Countries where Immigrants wish to immigrate to this and other Western Countries followed by a series of interviews from Western Immigration officals so immigrants without a doubt fully understand "Assimilation" and what they are to expect in their new country.

A case in point once again, Canada has a young child, who was looking to a future growing up happy and healthy in Canada as all children do, may have her dreams dashed permanently as she lay close to death in an Ontario hospital bed lost her fight and died in what Officers said was a losing battle for her life. The Father who is accused of murdering his child has his lawyer make an impassioned please for bail, spouting to the judge his client has a delicate heart condition. Apparently his heart condition didn't stop him from strangling his daughter to death, hence his plea was ignored by the courts.

Her father and brother devout Muslims were both taken into custody by Police where the father was formally charged in the murder today of strangling his young daughter, over what school friends say a Girl who just wanted to fit into Canadian society and would remove her head scarf.

Her father, it is said had other ideas how his daughter would fit into Canadian culture and society, by abiding to the repressive Muslim code of dress and strict and repressive morals against women.

Canada seriously has to let all immigrants know before they come to this country what to expect in Canadian Culture, letting immigrants know Western Society and Culture is not like theirs,our Culture states "Freedom for All, as Everyone is qequal in the eyes of God", This needs to be ingrained into Immigrants, so they should assimilate, and if our Canadian ways offend them, perhaps they should immigrate to a Muslim country in which to make their life. Oh, wait, as usual and historically most Muslim countries are either in a war or turmoil, it certainly speaks volumes of Muslim culture and why Muslims avoid immigrating to these fellow Islamic countries, yet come to Canada, USA and Europe and try and change western society to their liking. It is not like these new immigrants just woke up under a falafel patch, with numerous public burnings of effigies of western leaders, stomping on western nations flags in their countries, not to mention Imams spouting western society is the Devil incarnate to the masses 24 hours a day. Why do they still come here? Why are Imams allowed to immigrate here when they state publicly to their followers in Canada that Western Society is decadent, and women uncovered are pieces of meat to be enjoyed by rapists? If anyone has read the Koran (I have) you will soon understand, some weirdo Imam interprets it to his own selfish means, you would think Muslims would know how to read and interpret it into today's society, but leave it to their Imam to do it for them, most times with deranged results.

Funny how Islam and Imams are always enforcing the womens virtue, morals and life, with fear of punishment and or death, yet let their male followers pretty much do whatever the hell they want without redress. The 9-11 terrorists frequented strip bars, engaged in extramarital sex with women and hookers and alcohol as it seems to be the norm here in Canada as well if anyone has been to singles bar or dance club. Oh yes, Islam forbids dancing, extra marital sex, alcohol and mixing with infidels, which is anyone man or women who are not Muslim. So if these men are so strict in their family life, it certainly shows hypocrisy when it comes to their personal outside the family life. Anyone hear in the media of a Muslim man being strangled by his wives family or his Islamic Community for contravening their Islamic laws? I thought not. To be fair certainly not all Muslim men are like this, but I am sure many women infidels in who frequent Nightclubs or take taxis have interesting stories to tell.

Proving once again, Muslims and their Islamic religious hypocritical mores will always trump Canadian Laws by immigrants who feel justification in attempting to kill their own flesh and blood in order to maintain their own control over women. Just know this is not a anti Muslim diatribe, but an expose on hypocrisy of religions practised and interpreted for convienence by some Zealots who enjoy inciting hatred of others. Middle eastern religious cultures including Islam, Christian, Jewish and other religions do it. Yet nobody learns from it, as the status quo remains the same. Live and Let Live. As Nostradomus stated 500 years ago that the "End of the world" will begin and end in the Middle East, a prophesy I hope we do not realise.

My Final Thought
As a parent of two grown daughters, when growing up, teens especially daughters have a mind of their own, that is how they learn to be independence, they fall, you have to be there to pick them up and hope your guidance will help them one day make right decisions. You do not go out and strangle your kid close to death for not wearing a head scarf. The Debate over reasonable accomodation in Canada must be spelled out to everyone who wishes to make Canada their home. It's okay to be multicultural, just don't go around killing people to attain it. Because Islam abhor multiculturalism, preferring as their Imams state there should only be one Culture in Canada, an " Islamic Culture!" Though Muslims the world over are shocked by this on the actions of a few extremist religious zealots, few are surprised to what amounts to Imams warning women who remove their Hijab will be an affront to Islam and will be raped by criminals in non islamic societies.

MISSISSAUGA -- School friends of Aqsa Parvez say they knew that one day they'd be told the 16-year-old would be fighting for her life.

Because of a clash of cultures, a conflict between Muslim tradition and Western lifestyle, they learned yesterday that Aqsa was in grave condition in hospital after allegedly being choked by her father.

A man telephoned Peel Regional Police at 7:55 a.m. yesterday claiming he had killed his daughter.

When police arrived at the posh Longhorn Trail home, where about a dozen people spanning three generations live, Aqsa was barely alive.

Peel medics rushed her to Credit Valley Hospital and she was later transferred to the Hospital for the Sick Children for trauma care.

Investigators are not hopeful she will survive and Const. J.P. Valade said the homicide squad is actively involved in the investigation.

Aqsa's father, Muhammad Parvez, 57, a driver with Blue and White Taxi, was taken into custody and will be formally charged in Brampton court this morning.

Aqsa's school chums at Applewood Heights Secondary School say she wanted to break free from the cultural restraints imposed by family.

Friend Dominiquia Holmes-Thompson, 16, said Aqsa told her something could possibly "happen."

"She was scared to go home," she said.

Aqsa had recently been staying with a friend and wanted to return home to get her belongings, friends said.

'REGULAR CLOTHES'

They said this year the Grade 11 student began taking off her hijab, a traditional headscarf, as she headed to school and put it back on when she returned home.

Friends said her father allowed her to wear "regular clothes," but only if she wore the hijab.

"She wanted to dress like us," said one girl. "To be normal."

"Yes, we were really worried" about Aqsa returning home to get her clothes, Dominiquia said.

"You don't know if she's going to live?" she asked, as she was consoled by friends and breaking into tears. "No."

Dominiquia said Aqsa loved clothes, dancing and taking pictures.

Friend Ebonie Mitchell said Aqsa would probably have loved to get into the fashion industry.

"She always wanted to change," friend Ashley Garbutt, 16, said. "She just wanted to show her beauty. That's all she wanted to do."

Ashley said Aqsa asked her to help find a place for her to live and was willing to go to a shelter.

"She just wanted freedom," Dominiquia said. "She was a very kind person, she was really nice. Everybody loved her."

Neighbours in the quiet cul-de-sac were stunned by the news.

They said the family moved in about two years ago, but few residents knew them.

"I was shocked," said Fatima Domingos, a mother of two. "It's sad. I hope she makes it.

"This is close to Christmas; at any time of the year, this is a tragedy."

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Nicole Billard

at 09:29 on December 11th, 2007

This is a powerful story, and I think your final point is a valuable one. Though I think some of your assumptions regarding the Islamic faith are a little generalized and jaded, there is certainly a place for "Reasonable Accomodation" on both sides. Many foreign countries frown on Western Culture and make it very difficult to live a Western-style life within their boundaries. That is what makes Canada different. We accomodate and even legislate to encourage multiculturalism and maintain our 'tapestry' of culture. We differentiate ourselves from the US 'melting pot' by NOT requiring assimilation, but accomodation.

That being said, I was one of those grade 11 girls who wanted to rebel against my father's rules and restrictions. It seems like such a little thing to insight such a violent reaction - but I am not of the Islamic faith and the Hijab has caused several rows in Canada over the last few years

(see: http://www.nowpublic.com/hijab_may_be_pc_but_its_not_for_pq )

I am thankful that this girl had friends and support, but I worry about the fact that many 'Westerners' also encourage a discounting of the Islamic faith based on the actions and reactions of a few radicals (Islamic, and Western/Political) over the last 10 years. Could this young lady's friends have encouraged her to talk to her father and maybe even go with her, rather than helping her run away and quite possibly even encouraging her to turn from her faith without any real understanding?

Thank you for putting so much of yourself into this.

Barry Artiste

at 09:04 on December 12th, 2007

Thanks for the comments Nicole, though you should know my assumptions regarding the Islamic faith are not jaded or generalised but "spot on" as I have read the Koran, spent time in Alexandria , seen the pyramids, laughed and enjoyed the comraderie of discussion with Muslims and their hospitality who are wonderful , warm and intelligent human beings when I was with the Military and can pretty much tell the difference. Muslim culture for the most part is part of our Culture including english language and yes even customs, but some Imam interpret the Koran to their sick and twisted advantage, just as the Christian religion once did with whichever country they colonised. Hopefully Christianhood in modern society learn it was wrong to Burn, Torture, Murder, Rape Women over their mode of dress. You should also know Isdlam like all other religions are man made, with women like so much cattle or sheep stopod by helpless as these rules were made without their input.

Western Society has changed all that, yet Islam is still steeped in the dark ages, where they enjoy that status. In ending, I do know what I speak of.

Again, thanks for your comments, they are appreciated always

BigT

at 10:04 on December 11th, 2007

The best story I've ever heard about how to deal with multiculturalism like this comes from India when it was a British colony.

Back then I guess men would literally throw widows on the funeral pyres of their dead husbands because it was part of their culture. To them the wife had no reason to go on without her husband; so she should burn to death. Well, a British Colonel had a peculiar culture of his own. Even though the multiculturalists back then told him he shouldn't do anything about this abhorent cultural practice he did do something.

The British Colonel told them that he was going to build gallows right next to the funeral pyres and every man that took part in the culturally correct act of killing the now useless widow would be hung.

Now, I know that this is an extreme case but I think it is especially apt here.

Fortunately for the "father" he lives in Canada. If he lived in the United States he would be facing the same fate as those Indians who continued to kill the widows.

Barry Artiste

at 15:11 on December 11th, 2007

Thanks you both for your insightful comments. When a religion forbids it followers to even draw, cut, carve, hew, sculpt or paint people in three dimension or face punishment and death speaks volumes of a Dark Age religion gone insane. Afghanistan Taliban follow this doctrine destroying historical figures thousands of years old because the Koran forbids graven images as a sin against their god. Funny how some Muslims interpret differently for their own benefit, I have read the Koran more than a few times cover to cover, and though it mirrors the bible in many ways, I would like to think we are beyond dark age rules which were barbaric for a millenia or so.

DoctorOk

at 17:12 on December 11th, 2007

Some good points about this tragedy about a young girl who was savaged by her dad's engrained cultural views. It is truly heart breaking.

At the same time, let's not get so anti-Islamic because of the radical views and actions of one misguided father.

Let's not forget our own Christian faults. Remember the civilized Belgians? Our Christian brothers from Europe were responsible (without any retribution or justice) for the death of more than 20,000,000 helpless African souls in central Africa. The victims' faults--being non-Christian, Black, and apparently uncivilized. Were the Belgians being representative of Christianity, were they Barbaric or were they being simply anti-multicultural? Let's also consider the ongoing bloodletting between our Christian kin in Northern Ireland where the death and maiming of the innocent has occurred for hundreds of years resulting from simply belonging to the wrong denomination, with heinous crimes committed in the name of Christianity. This barbaric list goes on...and with all faiths and cultures.

This poor girl's tragic situation should not be 1-upped or glossed over by counterpoint by the historial treachery of other faiths and cultures. Her circumstance and the situation of other victims of religion/culture premised crimes should show clearly that Islam and the developing world are not alone in the human treachery and intolerance franchise.

Food for thought...

Barry Artiste

at 17:29 on December 11th, 2007

Thanks for the comment it is much appreciated, though what the belgians did I am sure tragic, the Food for Thought I am aiming at is Canada and our Culture, true Christianity during the Inquisition and other past atrocities were in the past, one would hope we have learned from that,. Canadians do not immigrate to Islamic countries and impose their beliefs on others. When in Rome is what I say ........

And yas, I may be anti Islamic when oppression of others especially women and children who cannot defend themselves , especially when courts do nothing to help them. In ending, but never would I state I am anti Muslim. Two different things, though all true Muslims adhere to Islam, some Muslims Live by the Live and let live in peace regardless of your ethnicity and beliefs is my Motto as well.

Nicole Billard

at 09:09 on December 12th, 2007

I think the Doctor has a great point. Radical behaviour in branches of religion or cultural paths may not be the only motive here ... Islam itself is not the issue, but those that choose a violent path within the pursuit of thier beliefs. There are Christian, Islamic, Moonies (aka The Unification Church), and Aum Shinrikyo (Supreme Truth) members out there that have proven they will kill for thier version of truth and justice.

This is a father who has taken it too far. There are, sadly, a lot of families that have experienced tragedy of this nature in North America, and around the world. This time it was an immigrant family whose religion was the base of the emotional power struggle. What of Herman Auerbach, who slayed his wife and daughters over a financial loss, but spared his son? Can we assume he was expressing a hatred of women, or did he just stop in time to save one family member? I am just now wondering how much differently the Jean Binet case would have turned out if the family hadn't been white, upper class and Christian.

This is a sad case of family tragedy and cultural struggle. I hope we (as a global culture) can continue to focus on stopping the honor killings and gain a better understanding of what causes the radicalsim.