Banaz’ sister (still from movie).

Yesterday (Februari 16) I saw Banaz: a love story and attended the discussion of the documentary in “de Balie” (Amsterdam) with creator Deeyah, host Eddy Terstall and the public.

It’s a remarkable and moving documentary about the vicious murder in 2006 by her own family of 20 year old Banaz, daughter of a strictly traditional Kurdish Muslim family escaping Saddam Hussein’s regime and granted asylum in the UK. This murder was arranged by the father and uncle because of the loss of (male) family honor inflicted by her running away from the arranged marriage with a cruel husband and a subsequent love affair with a man of her own choice. Continue reading →