ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the viewpoints of the Muslim-American women interviewed for our research study. Religions such as Christianity and Judaism also hold similar values for the importance of both individual and family honor. The Muslim-American interviewees commonly expressed that religion heavily influenced their perspectives on honor killings. As religion, culture, and tradition can be so closely intermingled, there was a sense of urgency in most interviews to clarify that the religion of Islam does not condone honor killings. Societies that hold honor and shame in such high importance often develop an emphasis on the control of women's sexuality. When dishonor occurs, the public eye scrutinizes the family, and shame rears its ugly head. Honor is embedded within Islam, but violence and honor crimes are not part of the religious practice, and are not accepted nor condoned by the Muslim faith.
