February 20th 2009
NY Times Finally Covers Hassan Beheading
O
ne week too late, the New York Times has finally published a story on the brutal beheading of Aasiya Hassan by her husband, owner of a TV network dedicated to proving that Islam is indeed moderate, a faith that’s ready for prime time in a civilized world.
The coverage starts off well, but rapidly deteriorates. Here’s the lead:
A man who founded a Muslim-American television station to help fight Muslim stereotypes is to appear on Wednesday in a suburban Buffalo court on charges that he decapitated his wife last week.
Kudos to the NYT; they put the newsworthy significance – beheadings and Muslim stereotypes – right in the lead, casting the story as it should be cast. But then the story breaks down into a senseless defense of positive Muslim stereotypes:
The gruesome death of Ms. Hassan prompted outrage from Muslim leaders after suggestions that it had been some kind of “honor killing” based on religious or cultural beliefs.
Dr. Sawsan Tabbaa, a Muslim community leader who teaches orthodontia at the State University at Buffalo, said, “This is not an honor killing, no way.”
Dr. Tabbaa added, “It has nothing to do with his faith.”
They are not outraged that she was beheaded. They are not outraged that Islam tolerates such behavior – it is, after all, the only religion in the world whose followers routinely behead people in the name of its god. They are merely outraged that someone would consider Aasiya Hassan’s death an honor killing.
But let’s look at it, shall we? Aasiya was divorcing Muzzammil, and that’s just not allowed in enlightened Islam. Men can divorce women easy as pie, but women divorce men? No way. So she – she, a mere woman – was bringing shame to Muzzammil.
Now, he could have shot her, or strangled her, or crushed her skull with a tire iron or done any of a number of other well established American ways to kill in a fit of passion. But instead, he did something almost unique to Islam – he beheaded her. This is no easy feat. It’s time-consuming, difficult, and very, very personal.
You behead someone not to kill them, but to send a message. And the message Mazzammil Hassan was sending was simple: I will not be dishonored!
The NYT, after waiting a week to cover the story, has made itself complicit in covering up the true nature of the crime.
