DEATH BEFORE DISHONOUR

Christian Science Monitor correspondent James Brandon recounts the so-called honour killing of British Muslim woman Manna Begum and then notes:

The number of such "honor killings" carried out in Britain is unknown. But in late 2004, British police began reexamining 117 murders to see how many were motivated by honor.

The issue has taken on increased sensitivity since the July 7 bombings in London, which heightened attention on ethnic minority communities and their integration into British society.

So, scant attention was paid to what's apparently been a big problem for quite some time. British Muslims, including women, apparently aren't willing to confront the reality of the situation. Take the attitude of Humera Khan, who advises An-Nisa women's group:

According to Khan, honor killings "are not Islamic at all, but because they are integrated into traditional culture they are seen as something Islamic."

As with terrorism, it's just a coincidence honour killings are committed by Muslims.