Afghanistan’s Romeo And Juliet And How They Escaped An Honor Killing
https://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2016-01-25/afghanistans-romeo-and-juliet
This picture of Zakia and Ali on the run, first published in The New York Times, has become iconic, with many Afghan artists painting versions of it.
Two years ago a young couple in Afghanistan fell in love. They’re from different races, ethnic groups and Muslim sects. She’s a Caucasian Sunni and he’s an Asian Shiite. They defied their parents’ opposition to marrying and eloped. His family came to accept the marriage, but hers wants her dead – to restore their honor. This Afghan Romeo and Juliet story gained international attention when a New York Times reporter wrote about the couple in a series of articles – and now in a book. We talk to the author, a young Afghan human rights advocate and an Afghanistan expert about honor killings and the struggle many Muslim women are engaged in to win basic rights.
To listen to the interview or read the transcript from the interview, and an excerpt from the book, click here.
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