No Safe Place

‘Banaz’s courageous and campaigning sister, Bekhal, and the distinguished legal reformer Dr Hannana Siddiqui here document the full horror of the violence which can be experienced by women in our minority communities … no cultural justification should be made for so-called crimes of honour.’‘This remarkable book by Bekhal and co-writer Hannana Siddique, reveals their awesome courage and compels us to ask: How can this be happening in Britain? Why does it go on? When will it end? Can we feminists be as brave and uncompromising…and build up momentum to stop culturally sanctioned crimes against females? It is time.’‘Bekhal Mahmod’s story of how she escaped being murdered by her own family is a shocking indictment of a community that prized patriarchy over life. The fact that Bekhal’s sister had to die before the authorities took Bekhal’s pleas for help seriously shames a nation. This is a brave and troubling anatomy of a twenty-first-century ‘honour killing’ and the long fight for justice.’‘We already know the end of Banaz Mahmod’s story. Now, her sister, Bekhal, tells us the beginning. Heartbreaking and compelling, it’s a tough read but one that must be shared.’‘I was immediately struck by her courage and both moved and inspired by her unflinching spirit. Bekhal’s strength of character is shown on every page of this book. The resilience she shows in the face of abuse is inspiring… Anyone who wants to understand how “honour” culture operates - and the effect it has on women and girls - needs to read this heartbreaking and compelling book.’‘A heart-breaking, powerful and crucially important story from an incredibly brave woman’‘A staggering story, beautifully written! And an important insight into both paralysis and heroic resistance … from the first pages, I felt myself gasping with the shock of it, and yet driven to read on, and on … takes us to the geopolitics of fundamentalist faith and power, to visceral fright, resistance and to the wonderful Southall Black Sisters.’‘Bekhal Mahmod is one of the bravest people I’ve ever met. In the face of constant threats to her own life, and angry exclusion by the rest of her family, she held fast to the memory of her beloved sister, murdered on the orders of their own father. Banaz chose love, and died for it; in defending her, Bekhal chose the path of true honour. Her vivid account of the price both sisters paid is raw and heartbreaking’‘Written from witness protection, this is a heartbreaking & incredibly important book telling the true story of the death of [Bekhal Mahmod’s] sister Banaz in a so-called “honour killing” & detailing the quest for justice that followed. Essential reading for everybody’‘When I first met Bekhal at a tree-planting ceremony in Leatherhead for victims of honour-based violence, I was overwhelmed by this very dedicated young woman wanting to leave a lasting tribute to her sister … her book is truly a vivid account of her journey, a must-read for all investigators and professionals dealing with honour-based abuse. It articulates the long-lasting painful effects it has on the families left behind.’

Bekhal Mahmod is admired for giving prosecution evidence against her father, uncle, and male cousins for the honour killing of her sister, Banaz Mahmod. Her relatives were all convicted of murder or related crimes. She is the first female sibling in the UK to do so. Bekhal also faced threats and attempts to kill her after she left home as a teenager due to abuse and pressures to have a child marriage. She is now on a witness protection scheme but still lives in fear for her life. Bekhal has given numerous media interviews, including in an Emmy award-winning documentary, Banaz, A Love Story. She was also depicted in the popular ITV drama Honour, which starred Keeley Hawes. Bekhal is campaigning to introduce Banaz’s Law to prevent cultural excuses for murder or honour violence. In 2011, Bekhal was nominated for the True Honour Award for her courage in court and campaigning.

Dr. Hannana Siddiqui is an award-winning author, expert, and activist on violence against black and ethnic minority women and girls. She has been a leading member of the renowned black feminist organisation Southall Black Sisters for thirty-six years. Hannana has supported over 10,000 women and girls facing domestic and sexual abuse, forced marriage, honour violence, immigration issues, poverty and destitution, and suicide and self-harm problems. She has successfully campaigned for major legal and policy reform, as well as for changes in conservative cultural and religious attitudes and practices that discriminate against women and girls within minority communities. Hannana has supported Bekhal Mahmod since 2006 to achieve justice for her sister, Banaz, and to end honour violence. She formulated Banaz’s Law and is currently campaigning with Bekhal to introduce this new law to re-frame cultural defences to honour crimes as aggravating offences and acts of dishonour.

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