A Mother’s Tragic Choice: How Cultural Pressure Led to a Forced Marriage and Death
In a shocking turn of events, a mother’s attempt to uphold tradition ended in tragedy. What seemed like a family effort to preserve cultural values has forever altered the lives of those involved. But what really happened behind the closed doors of this family?
The heart of this tragic tale began with Sakina Muhammad Jan, a mother of five from Victoria, Australia.
Jan’s family, Afghan Hazara refugees, settled in the town of Shepparton to escape Taliban persecution. Despite their fresh start, they carried their cultural traditions, some of which led them into a dark place.
Jan was determined to secure her daughter Ruqia Haidari’s future through marriage. In August 2019, Ruqia, only 20 years old, was pressured into a marriage she didn’t want, with a man named Mohammad Ali Halimi.
As per tradition, a matchmaker had arranged the union, but Ruqia’s hesitation was clear from the start. "I want to study, work, and live my life before marriage," she told her mother.
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