Pakistani-Style Honor Killing in My Quaker-Founded Hometown

"Obviously, this is the worst form of domestic violence possible," said Erie County District Attorney Frank A. Sedita III of this story from the village in which I was raised — Man charged in beheading of wife. The alleged perpetrator was "the head of a Muslim TV channel — which he launched in order to counter violent images of Muslims." The crime scene includes this blogger's old paper route: "The television station’s office on Thorn Avenue remained closed off as a crime scene on Friday while the investigation continued."

Khalid J. Qazi, president of the Muslim Public Affairs Council of Western New York, said, "There is no place for domestic violence in our religion — none. Islam would 100 percent condemn it." It is also important to note that the victim "Aasiya Hassan had filed for divorce" and that "discussions were being held about continuing arrangements for the couple’s two children, ages 4 and 6, and two older children, ages 17 and 18, from Muzzammil Hassan’s previous marriage."

The Village of Orchard Park, home to some 3000 souls, was founded by Quaker settlers in 1803, which might account for my near-pacifism.