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Some of Iran's suffering wives look to a new solution -- husband killing
Atlanta Journal-Constitution ^ | 7.1.02

Posted on 07/01/2002 11:51:17 AM PDT by mhking

[ The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: 7/1/02 ]

Some of Iran's suffering wives look to a new solution -- husband killing

The Associated Press
TEHRAN, Iran -- Married at age 13 to a man 18 years her senior, Ferdows was the wife that Iranian society expected her to be: obedient, and silent, despite the beatings and humiliation.

But after 30 years of marriage, she had had enough. She arranged to have her husband, Hedayat, killed, authorities say.

Ferdows, who has been convicted of murder and sentenced to death, is one of at least 20 Tehran women accused of murdering their husbands since February. Initially, the reports of the slayings were largely unnoticed. That changed as the number rose and Iranians began to see the killings as signs of social stresses.

"Husband killing is a new phenomenon in Iran's male-dominated society. It means economic hardships and social crises are reaching a crisis point," said Mohammad Ahmadi, a sociologist.

He cited a number of problems in Iranian society that lead to frustration and desperation: forced marriages, philandering by husbands, impotence, poverty and no healthy entertainment in a country whose Islamic laws ban socializing between men and women who are not closely related.

Others blame restrictive divorce laws that leave women feeling murder is the only way out of a bad marriage.

In Ferdows case, she accused her husband of abuse.

"During 30 years of matrimonial life, Hedayat always beat me. He was a doubter and skeptical of everything and didn't trust me. He had made the life hell for me," Ferdows told authorities, who have identified her only by her first name.

Ferdows paid a man the equivalent of $3,750 to stab her husband to death three years ago, prosecutors said. The crime wasn't exposed until this February, when police found her husband's remains in an abandoned building. She had told people her husband abandoned her.

Both Ferdows and the hit man were convicted and sentenced at a closed trial in April. Word of the outcome leaked out a few weeks ago.

The punishment for women who murder their husbands is death. Some have already been convicted and executed. Others are on death row and some are awaiting trial. They come from all social classes.

"Divorce is the first solution for women to get rid of an undesirable troubled life. But why did these women ignore this option and resort to something that carries the death sentence?" asked the monthly magazine Zanan (Women).

While Iranian men can divorce almost at will, a woman who wants a divorce must go through a legal battle that can take up to 20 years, said lawyer Sara Irani. Even then, she said, it might end with the woman failing to dissolve the marriage.

Under Iran's Islamic laws, a man is allowed to keep four wives at one time, a right not granted to women.

Even if a husband is having an affair, he can claim to have undertaken a "sigheh," or temporary marriage. It's a contract allowed under Iranian law that allows a man and woman to be "married" for any length of time they choose. Critics call it a form of legalized prostitution.

Nor does a wife trapped in a violent marriage have much recourse against her husband.

"A woman has to bring four men witnesses confirming violence against her by her husband," Irani said. "How is a woman in Iran expected to keep four men in her bedroom to witness her husband beating her?"

Irani, who is also a writer on women's affairs, said that husband killing is the "outcome of humiliation and discrimination against women" and that the recent surge in cases should pressure the country's leaders to improve legal protection for women.

Ahmadi, the sociologist, said that in a country where there is virtually no sex education, unhappy marriages and domestic violence also can arise when husbands and wives don't know how to please each other. "Many couples don't have enjoyable sex," he said.

Abdosamad Khorramshahi, a lawyer, sees social changes contributing to the killings.

"Previously, we had a socially closed society. Women were not allowed even to get out of the home without the husband's permission. Now, things have changed. They are more outspoken and courageous. Women have become aware of their rights and are fighting for equality," he said.

According to official figures, 44,000 Iranians were divorced last year, a 12 percent increase from the previous year. At the same time, registered marriages were down 4.5 percent.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; News/Current Events
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1 posted on 07/01/2002 11:51:17 AM PDT by mhking
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To: mhking
More western ideas from the Great Satan encroaching.
2 posted on 07/01/2002 11:51:58 AM PDT by Doctor Stochastic
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To: mhking
This could be as big as the French Resistance of WWII fame if played right...
3 posted on 07/01/2002 11:55:48 AM PDT by TADSLOS
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To: mhking
Well, only about 25,000,000 more to go before the 'Revolution' is overturned.
4 posted on 07/01/2002 12:01:17 PM PDT by The Vast Right Wing
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To: mhking
And the Left doesn't think that Muslims want Islamic Law here in the US.

They're pro Jihadist only because we're anti-Jihadist. If I hear (or read) that there's "no difference between a Baptist and a Muslim", I'm going to puke.
5 posted on 07/01/2002 12:01:27 PM PDT by Guillermo
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To: mhking
Under Iran's Islamic laws, a man is allowed to keep four wives at one time, a right not granted to women.

Why would a woman want four wives?

6 posted on 07/01/2002 12:05:05 PM PDT by ShadowAce
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To: one_particular_harbour; dubyaismypresident; CholeraJoe
Under Iran's Islamic laws, a man is allowed to keep four wives at one time, a right not granted to women.

Even if a husband is having an affair, he can claim to have undertaken a "sigheh," or temporary marriage. It's a contract allowed under Iranian law that allows a man and woman to be "married" for any length of time they choose. Critics call it a form of legalized prostitution.

You know, there is alot we could learn from these people...

7 posted on 07/01/2002 12:06:50 PM PDT by hobbes1
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To: mhking
Perhaps the biography of Lorena Bobbit should be translated into Farsi.
8 posted on 07/01/2002 12:10:06 PM PDT by Redcloak
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To: hobbes1
You know, there is alot we could learn from these people...

Yup, multiculralism isn't all bad.

9 posted on 07/01/2002 12:17:45 PM PDT by NeoCaveman
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To: dubyaismypresident
Yes, this a principle we need to get INTO the Melting Pot.
10 posted on 07/01/2002 12:18:57 PM PDT by hobbes1
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To: hobbes1
So when do you think the Title IX feminists are going to yell at us????
11 posted on 07/01/2002 12:20:06 PM PDT by NeoCaveman
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To: ShadowAce
Well, I guess she could get some help with the cooking, cleaning, child raising,..... (just kidding ;-)

On the other hand, if she had four husbands it might increase the odds of one of them taking out the garbage when asked...........

12 posted on 07/01/2002 12:20:20 PM PDT by Canticle_of_Deborah
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To: mhking
...a number of problems in Iranian society that lead to frustration and desperation: forced marriages, philandering by husbands, impotence, poverty and no healthy entertainment in a country whose Islamic laws ban socializing between men and women who are not closely related....

While Iranian men can divorce almost at will...

Islam is evil.

13 posted on 07/01/2002 12:24:10 PM PDT by Steve0113
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To: dubyaismypresident
They Cant. We just took away their rights...LOL
14 posted on 07/01/2002 12:24:42 PM PDT by hobbes1
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To: hobbes1
They Cant. We just took away their rights...LOL

Was that silly Ammendment repealed while I was at lunch? LOL

15 posted on 07/01/2002 12:25:32 PM PDT by NeoCaveman
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To: goldenstategirl
if she had four husbands it might increase the odds of one of them taking out the garbage

No, she would just have to buy four time as much beer and bean dip during the football season.

16 posted on 07/01/2002 12:26:53 PM PDT by Alouette
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To: dubyaismypresident; hobbes1; xsmommy; Gabz; Slip18; christine11; SeaDragon; white rose; ...
So when do you think the Title IX feminists are going to yell at us????

When you he men decided to tell them you are talking about them behind their backs.

Ladies, see what our croqs want to do?

(shaking head) It's only murder if you get caught.

17 posted on 07/01/2002 12:27:31 PM PDT by RikaStrom
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To: RikaStrom
Quiet down and get back in the Kitchen where you belong....
18 posted on 07/01/2002 12:28:29 PM PDT by hobbes1
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Unless, of course you're on your way to the budior....
19 posted on 07/01/2002 12:29:06 PM PDT by hobbes1
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To: Steve0113
Islam is evil.

Ummmm....You saw this part didnt you?

Under Iran's Islamic laws, a man is allowed to keep four wives at one time, a right not granted to women.

Even if a husband is having an affair, he can claim to have undertaken a "sigheh," or temporary marriage. It's a contract allowed under Iranian law that allows a man and woman to be "married" for any length of time they choose.

20 posted on 07/01/2002 12:31:45 PM PDT by hobbes1
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