The Curse of Number 46 and the Horrors of Honor Killings

My HONEST answer is this: The nearly unbelievable frequency at which the number '46' shows up in my life. It pops up literally everywhere, constantly, and without any specific reason. It happens frequently, showing up in various places within the span of just a few minutes.

This phenomenon has been ongoing since around 1996, and it isn't just a coincidence. In fact, this number has started to terrorize me as it may portend a significant event in my life, such as reaching the age of 46, which I believe might be the age I die. While it doesn't seem to be a lucky number, the sheer frequency of its appearance is becoming uncomfortable.

Another layer of craze comes into play when this number appears as 46 minutes past the hour. No matter where I look, whether it's my watch, an alarm clock, a wall clock, my smartphone, or even when my phone or tablet is showing a low battery level of 46 percent, I find myself looking at it.

A deep-seated Gut Feeling

For years, I've had a gut feeling that 46 will be the age at which I die. My birthday is in a few weeks, and if that gut feeling is true, I'll be only two years away from that age. While this realization is soul-destroying, it's just the tip of the iceberg compared to the horrors that some individuals and communities face every day.

The Tragic Reality of Honor Killings

Honor killings, a deep-rooted and dangerous practice, occur in many cultures where family honor is considered paramount. These killings are not only shocking but also cruel and inhumane.

Samia Khan, a Tragic Victim

Samia Khan is just one of many tragic individuals whose life was cut short due to this barbaric practice. As a married woman who sought a divorce from her abuser, Samia faced the wrath of her family. When they refused to grant the divorce, she fled to a shelter. Her journey, however, didn't end there. A lawyer who tried to help her was also targeted. Her mother, who for a moment had promised to provide the necessary documents, instead brought in an assassin to kill her. The family not only refused responsibility but also claimed to have 'forgiven' the killer.

Samaira Nazir, Stabbed to Death for Love

Samaira Nazir's story is equally heart-wrenching. She loved a man who was not from her own descent, a taboo in her community. Her family couldn't accept this union and took extreme measures to ensure she would be punished for her perceived 'misdeed.' Samaira was brutally stabbed in front of her children, with the family teaching the next generation that love can be a deadly sin.

Other Victims of Honor Killings

There are countless other cases, such as Shafiela Ahmad, Ghazala Khan, Tasleem Khatoon, and Farzana Iqbal. These individuals are just a few examples of the injustices that occur under the guise of preserving 'honor.' Men who shouldn't be victims of this practice unfortunately are, such as Ahmet Yildiz, the first openly gay man to be a victim of an honor killing. Despite his family's demands for him to marry and seek a 'cure' for his sexual orientation, Ahmet courageously refused. In retaliation, his cousin and father shot him multiple times and refused to claim his body.

Defending Age-old Traditions

Many politically elite members defend these practices, claiming they are "age-old traditions." However, these traditions are nothing more than a facade. When did people forget how much they love their children? When did they lose their humanity? When did they become so callous that they would kill someone in the name of 'honor'?

I am disappointed and shamelessly declare that honor killings are dishonorable and barbaric. They steal lives and destroy others. They make me lose faith in humanity, if there ever was any true humanity left.

May I be granted the permission to spit on the murderers of these innocent souls. May they and their loved ones be at peace in heaven, if there is one.

L.O.V.E.