Shafilea Ahmed was like most teenage girls growing up in the UK. She was determined and ambitious with a rebellious streak. She got good grades in school, wanted to wear the latest fashion, to have a boyfriend and to break free from her family home and live independently. The difference between Shafilea and most teenage girls is that she was born in to, and brought up around one culture, but, was expected to abide by the rules of another.

What would typically be seen as normal teenage behaviour was seen as shameful by her strict parents. Shafilea resisted her parents demands, she knew that she would be forced into an arranged marriage to an older cousin and wanted a different life for herself. 

The shame her parents felt she brought on the family name was intense and this continuously took precedence over their daughter's well-being, happiness and ultimately, her life.

Anyone affected by honour crimes or in fear of forced marriage, bringing shame/dishonour upon their family or being disowned should contact Karma Nirvana
https://karmanirvana.org.uk/ call 08005999247 or 999 if you are in immediate danger

Promos:
Malice Podcast
All The Things That Keep Us Up at Night

Sources:
https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2012/aug/03/shafilea-ahmed-life-death-timeline

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/9458241/Shafilea-Ahmeds-father-kept-briefcase-of-gold-bars-and-passports-for-quick-getaway.html

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-19119014

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/shafilea-ahmed-weighed-only-five-stone-after-drinking-bleach-in-fear-7781996.html

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-18174889

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/law-and-order/9449374/Parents-of-Shafilea-Ahmed-sentenced-to-25-years-after-being-found-guilty-of-her-honour-killing.html

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/9421442/Shafilea-Ahmeds-mother-caught-calling-her-children-daughters-of-pigs-in-secret-recording.html

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-18161066

https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2012/aug/03/shafilea-ahmed-history-of-violence

https://www.judiciary.uk/wp-content/uploads/JCO/Documents/Judgments/ahmed-ahmed-sentencing-remarks-03082012.pdf

https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2003/dec/05/race.world

https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/news/west-yorkshire-news/west-yorkshire-charitys-concerns-over-4973830

https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2003/dec/05/race.world

https://www.time-to-change.org.uk/resources/research-and-reports/south-asian-stigma

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/07/uk-media-portrayal-muslims-misleading-negative-study-190708104550539.html

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/new-tests-on-murdered-shafilea-1104803

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-19068490

https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/giveaway-signs-shafilea-ahmeds-parents-13549490

https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/news/west-yorkshire-news/west-yorkshire-charitys-concerns-over-4973830

https://www.endvawnow.org/en/articles/731-defining-honourcrimes-and-honour-killings.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqNsY_ZODZk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvKvoqW59Ec

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqNsY_ZODZk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jNCfi2gl6A

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28WJSUSB7MI&t=