I’m disappointed and sad it has come to this. But I will not stay silent when it comes to Banaz. I will speak up, each and every time. For years these rumours have made their rounds, it’s time they stopped.
@CosmopolitanUK
@JenniSavin
@Claire_Hodge
@LaurenAlexis
🧵
On the evening of January 23rd of 2006 I took this photo of Banaz on my Motorola. Back then no one took selfies or photos on our phones the way we do now, but on this evening Banaz was so beautiful, she was glowing and i had this strange feeling to just take a photo of her.
This photo was taken 23/01/2006, the last time I saw Banaz’s beautiful smile.
15 years has passed & it becomes more and more apparent each year that no time will ever make Banaz’s death make sense.
The snow falls on this day for you Banaz, you loved snow. You are with us ❤️
Good evening everyone, ahead of the 1st Episode of 'Honour' on
@ITV
tonight I just want to say a few things before I log off.
Please be respectful towards Banaz's beautiful memory.
Please remember this is extremely painful for those who love and care about Banaz.
If I hear “it was a well lit area” one more time!!!!!
Do people not understand we get attacked, followed and harassed in broad daylight and not just dark, secluded alleyways????
We need a HUGE shift around the language being used in these conversations.
It shakes my core to crippling pain knowing it was the same Police force who failed both Raheem and my sister, Banaz.
What chance do women stand when they are telling the people they trust with their lives that they are SCARED FOR THEIR LIVES but nothing happens.
Multiple failures by West Midlands Police officers "materially contributed" to the deaths of a woman and her mother, an inquest found.
Raneem Oudeh made a desperate 999 call before being murdered by her estranged husband
Today, tomorrow and any time we talk about Banaz I want us to remember her like this.
She is so much more than a victim.
Banaz had her whole life ahead of her.
She smiled everyday, the beautiful smile you see in these clips, remember Banaz this way ♥️
@ITV
#Honour
Happy Birthday Banaz.
The 16th of December will forever be the most special day of the year.
Every year, today, I will celebrate the beautiful person you were, I will play your favourite Mariah Carey & Shahen Talabani songs & I will remember the irreplaceable memories of you 🌹
Please…… stop comparing FGM to circumcision…
I can’t put into words how disrespectful it is to girls and women who are at risk and survivors of FGM.
Just stop. These are two different conversations.
Dedicating today to you Banaz. 🌹
Every step I’ve taken to work on ending Child marriage, your beautiful name and bravery has always been the first and last thing on my mind.
Your legacy lives on, girls all around the world including me will always remember you as a hero ❤️
16th December 2020 would have been your 35th birthday, Banaz.
With each year that goes by, I always wonder, how would you have wanted to celebrate your special day this year?
Happy Birthday my angel with the eyes that spoke a million words. 🌹
You should be here.
Happy Birthday Banaz.
The 16th of December will forever be the most special day of the year.
Every year, today, I will celebrate the beautiful person you were, I will play your favourite Mariah Carey & Shahen Talabani songs & I will remember the irreplaceable memories of you 🌹
#DayOfMemory
A day to remember those who’ve lost their lives because of “Honour” Based Abuse.
Remembering you today, tomorrow and every day.
You are my inspiration and motivation for everything I do Banaz ❣️
Your legacy lives on forever. ✨
13 years on and it still feels like hell every day. I lost my beautiful sister to a so called honour killing.
BBC News - 'Every day has been hell' since 'honour killing' of Banaz Mahmod
On Women’s Day I think of you Banaz, and of all the women and girls who are no longer with us. We remember you, your names live on, your stories move us & your legacies drive change ❤️
Child marriage. Virginity Testing. Hymenoplasty.
All 3 have received Royal Assent today.
Proud, honoured and speechless to have been part of these campaigns.
I can only say thank you to every one who has worked on this with us. What an emotional week.
Change is possible.
The same year I spent hours cutting out pictures of us and putting them together. I had nothing but your old college card, a t shirt and these pictures. The first memory box I made was for you. It’s all I have. Memories of you.
I went to visit Banaz today.
Some lovely people have left these sweet, kind messages.
Thank you for loving Banaz whoever you are ❤️
Banaz will always be in our thoughts, forever. 💕
Life lately.
01.01.2022 I was blessed with the gift of life.
I’ve never known love like this.
I will always be grateful for the opportunity to take care of, love & nurture this little guy.
I don’t know what I did to deserve him, but I’m so so grateful ❤️
On the 16th December 1985 an angel was born.
Happy what would have been your 38th Birthday today.
I just know you would have aged so gracefully, your memory fills me with so much love on this special day of remembering you. ♥️
your memory lives on in my heart, my mind and my soul forever.
In your text words, Love ya xxx
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
“She was killed because they believed she was becoming too westernised.”
The families of ‘honour’ killing victims are raising awareness about how widespread the problem is in the UK.
Banaz, you inspire us to change the world for girls. You were with us today.
You always wore bright colours & lit up every room you were in with your smile, your legacy shines so bright.
I wore orange today to celebrate you, your bravery, courage and determination.
🧡
But i still want to sit in that moment more than anything in this life, on that kitchen floor with you; laughing and chatting away.
I really hope life after here has been treating you better. You are so loved. And I hope you can see the difference you are making in the world,
You would have been celebrating turning 37 today. ❤️
I wonder what kind of mood you would have started your day in, actually I know exactly. Smiling, happy and excited. You were always balanced and happy, no matter what this sweet smile made an appearance.
14 years after escaping my child marriage I am still dealing with the trauma every single day.
My sister was brutally murdered for leaving an abusive child marriage.
The evidence is there. We need to stop ignoring it.
In answer to my question about raising the age of marriage to 18, the minister has asked for evidence of the harm of marriage on children. Working with
@KNFMHBV
@IKWRO
@forwarduk
@lygyemen
we’ll show just how damaging it is!
I’m just a girl from Kurdistan. I couldn’t imagine in a million years I would be working to end child marriage, sitting in Parliament hearing an incredible woman talking about the need to end child marriage
@liz_sugg
I will keep saying it, this is life saving.
This is change.
"Why have a minister for women, but not for men?"
Speaking in the International Men's Day debate, Conservative Ben Bradley says "can we ensure equality means just that, rather than positive discrimination at the expense of certain groups"
Watch:
Today is
#DayOfMemory
A bittersweet day to remember those we have lost to so called “honour” killings.
4 years ago today, for the first time I talked about the Banaz I knew and loved, not just her tragic death but her dreams, her hobbies and her sweet personality. 💜
Today marks 14 years since my sister, Banaz’s death.
That Tuesday morning feels like it was yesterday but somehow a long 100 years ago.
How does time still go by, how does life still go on?
She stared into the camera so deeply. Now when I look at that photo all I see is pain. How could I have known this was the last time I was going to see Banaz and this would be her last photo ever.
I will never forget that evening, we sat on the kitchen floor
Memories of our silly conversations, whispering jokes that no one else got. You are my memory.
17 Years of life have passed, and the dates keep changing, time keeps going. And another 17 years will pass.. and another…
My award will be going on my inspiration shelf next to a beautiful photo of Banaz smiling ❤️
In everything we do, we remember you, we miss you and honour you ❣️
On my way to Parliament for The Third and Final reading of our Child Marriage Bill
@liz_sugg
@Pauline_Latham
Struggling to put in to words what this means. I feel so many emotions. This is real life change.
This is for me, for Banaz, for any child impacted by child marriage.
complaining about the cold, but still drinking tea and having biscuits, talking about nothing and everything. It was already dark so I rushed off to get the tram home, Banaz came to the door with me, I walked back to grab my jacket, we brushed each others shoulder in the hall way
She told me to text her when I get home. I did. I asked her if she was coming to college tomorrow she said “ya see you tomorrow xxx”
But I didn’t see Banaz alive again.
We live with the harsh reality that Police ignored Banaz more than 5 times! She even named those she feared, she was labelled 'melodramatic.'
Please allow this show be a wake up call for any front line professionals watching, you have a duty to care and protect!
Ok hear me out,
You CAN still support me and what I am doing without sending me insults about my parents, it will mean just as much to me.
I promise you I will still appreciate your support.
I spoke to
@hansummers
about being a child bride at 16 right here in the UK, and why I am urging MPs to support the bill calling to end child marriage.
Please read and share
📣
I am thrilled to announce that I have been awarded the
#GCPrize
Citizen Award UK by
@GlblCtznUK
for my work with
@IKWRO
in supporting women and girls around the world, working to end harmful practices including child marriage, female genital mutilation (FGM) & more.
I can finally announce I will be doing a TEDx Talk. Never thought I would be be typing this, I am beyond excited & so grateful to use my voice to make a change. 🙌🏼
Members of the public please be open minded to learning about Honour Based Abuse.
Please leave the stereotypes and misconceptions, they won't help this conversation move forward.
Please support those who are working hard everyday to support victims facing this type of abuse.
I don’t know who needs to read this, stop exploiting people with lived experience.
I’ve been invited to Manchester to speak on an International Women’s Day panel, but I am being told I should be paying for my own travel, without any compensation for my time.
What a joke!
I was born in 1987 in Kurdistan, Iraq. A town called Qalat Dizah to be precise.
I was named Payman which means 'promise' in Kurdish.
A promise was made that year for the long war between Iraq and Iran to end.
Happy International Womens Day ❣️
#IWD2020
I need your help today. Please watch this video, exciting news & a call to action from ALL of us on such a special day.
Love, Payzee
SO MANY INCREDIBLE WOMEN WHO HAVE SHAPED WHO I AM & WHO I AM BECOMING. ❤️
I dedicate this day to my sister, Banaz. A remarkable woman who taught me love, strength & kindness with no bounds.
I am, because of you. You live in my every moment & are changing the world for girls ❤️
✨Chapter 34......what do you have in store for me? ✨
This year my birthday feels different... I can’t put my finger on it, but I am present and I am grateful for another year, looking forward to starting a new chapter of my life, may it be filled with peace, love & health.
🤞🏼
THANK YOUUUU FOR THE LOVE AND SUPPORT EVERYONE ❤️❤️❤️
Sitting on cloud 9 since yesterday, seeing and appreciating all the support. Bear with me on responding
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Feeling excited & grateful to share I have been selected as one of the 2022
@ObamaFoundation
Leaders Europe.
Looking forward to the incredible 6 months ahead 🙏🏼
Meet my fellow Obama Leaders here;
I dedicate this
#DayOfTheGirl
to my beloved sister, Banaz.
This year she should have been 34, happy & being the amazing woman she was.
But her choices were taken away & her life was taken.
She will forever be my inspiration, my role model & angel watching over me.
❤️ 🦋
It’s not easy to talk about trauma from my child marriage. Or talk about losing my dear sister in an honour killing.
But I do it so we can make the necessary changes.
All I ask is that we ALL demand change for others & prevent this ever happening again. Thats all I ask.
My precious girl ♥️ how life is bleak & lonely without you. My backbone & best friend, 18 whole years without you feels like a constant nightmare I will never wake from. The beautiful blue sky is bright above your resting place, I hope you are smiling and at peace ♥️
Eid can be so triggering.
It's a time meant for celebration and togetherness, but for those of us who aren’t part of our families and communities, it amplify feelings of loneliness, grief, and isolation.
It's a reminder of what's been lost, regardless of what you have found
Searching for an email today I came across a different email from last year.
A HUGE publication reached out to me do a cover story.
They wanted me wear a hijab. They said this would make the image “powerful”
Except.... I don’t wear a hijab.....
Obviously I refused.
It just hit me... tomorrow is Mother’s Day.
Such a heavy week.
My heart goes out to mothers who won’t be able to celebrate with their children because of violence against women and girls.
Solidarity ❤️
🧵
Today is the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
FGM is an extreme form of discrimination against women, violates
#HumanRights
, and causes serious health harms.
I know this hard for all of us. I know.
But do you know what it’s like living alone, being alone 24 hours a day without human contact & fearing brighter days aren’t coming any time soon?
This is so hard and just getting harder.
This week started with International Women’s Day...it quickly become an incredibly painful week for women.
Like so many women, I can’t stop thinking about Sarah Everard.
Saddened and horrified to read this.
In the UK????!!!!
To all those who think girls and women are not going through it all right here in the “Western world” read this!
We are being failed.
Controversial 'virginity tests' sold by UK clinics - BBC News
Thank you 😭 crying inside with happy tears. As my dear
@TartanTantrum
puts it, “it’s about a community that stands in love & solidarity with you” ❤️
Feeling humbled.
Thank you to each & every person working in this space, let’s never stop tackling “honour” based abuse.
❤️
How did it become possible to have it included in your work contract to specifically “not have sex with people you work with” but wasn’t seen as a big red flag?????
The people who put him in high positions at work are also to blame.
#dispatches
#C4Dispatches
18 years ago today, I spent my day at college then made my way to my parents home where I would spend the last evening with Banaz, we sat on the floor drinking tea and joking around. Every day of my life I wish I could go back to this day.
If you are watching tonight and are triggered by any of the content please reach out for support.
@IKWRO
are specialised in supporting those those experiencing ‘Honour’ Based Abuse.
Keeley Hawes stars as the detective who brought five killers to justice in the true story of Banaz Mahmod, the young Londoner murdered for falling in love with the wrong man.
#Honour
, tonight and tomorrow at 9pm on ITV and
@ITVHub
@Misskeeleyhawes
@idkbuket
@MoeBarEl1
My award will be going on my inspiration shelf next to a beautiful photo of Banaz smiling ❤️
In everything we do, we remember you, we miss you and honour you ❣️
@IKWRO
led the 'Justice For Banaz' campaign in 2006 and demanded Justice!
IKWRO worked on supporting the Police during Banaz's case.
IKWRO’s mission is to protect women and girls who are at risk of ‘honour’ based violence, forced marriage, child marriage, FGM and DA.
Want to retweet an article but I refuse to have Banaz’s name reduced to ‘honour killing victim’
Anyone writing about this, have some respect, her name is Banaz.
You write 3 words to describe her, use two and write her name!!!!!!!
Reflecting on last night in A&E, my son being treated for Scarlet Fever (Strep A) 🥺
Challenging times for NHS staff right now, but I am very grateful we were seen and given medication last night.
Very few staff and lots of people with sick children, a really sad sight.
My favourite picture of me and Banaz when life was so simple. She is on the right and I, on the left. We would tell people we are twins for for as long as I remember. There is something so special about a sister's bond. Not a single day goes by where I don't think about Banaz 💕
Another day, another so called ‘honour’ killing.
Tiba Al-Ali, a young girl who escaped from her home and refuged in Turkey after being sexually assaulted by her brother was later murdered by her father.
Rest in peace Tiba.
There’s a lot of pain and suffering in the world right now.
I wish I could just hug every person that’s going through a tough time.
I know it can’t solve everything but I wholeheartedly send my love and solidarity to all those suffering ❤️
One of my school friends got in touch with me via Facebook.
She shared memories of me, her and Banaz walking to and from school, going to the corner shop and buying penny sweets & sharing them.
I live for these memories 💗
Whilst news outlets may reveal painful details of Sarah’s death, please let’s all of us stay mindful and respectful.
Her family will be absolutely distraught right now, let’s remain supportive and compassionate.
Finally if you or someone you know is affected by the issues raised in the show please know support is available. Contact
@IKWRO
for support and advise!
Call 999 if you are in immediate danger.
I don’t know who needs to read this;
If you are a journalist & interviewing a survivor of abuse, don’t ask if they ‘forgive’ their perpetrator/s and how they ‘feel’ about them.
It really is a traumatic conversation with a stranger.
Just don’t do it.
Thank you to
@WeAreTheCity
for including me in the Top 50 Trailblazers working on Womens rights.
Powered by
@HSBC
.
Im humbled to be named alongside such inspiring people!
Trying to find the words to talk about Somaiya Begum’s tragic death in a so called honour killing.
20 years old.. with her whole life ahead of her..
Days like today are so hard, you want to keep fighting so this doesn’t happen again.. but it happens.. & girls are dying…
I always told myself if I were to become a mother it would only be when I’ve “healed.
The hard truth is I will never be healed, but always healing.
We don’t talk enough about mothers who are in their healing journey trying to raise emotionally healthy children.
The amount of ABUSE I have received since talking about decriminalisation of abortion in the last few days, wow.
And of course it’s mostly men, the irony.
I couldn’t care less what your politics on abortion are, I am unapologetically pro choice.
Choice belongs to EVERY woman
We spent our childhood telling people we were twins. We loved tricking people & confusing them with which one of us was which. We always matched, swapped and borrowed each others clothes & went through life as one. I didn’t go through anything without you, you were always there.
I tweet this with deep sadness, but courage for my beloved sister.
Thank you
@SophieBrownHP
for allowing me to speak on this and thank you
@broadly
for shedding light on this
What It's Like To Lose Your Sister in an Honor Killing - Broadly
Thank you to everyone signing, please keep sharing on social media and with your networks.
We’ve just hit 141,000 signatures.
Let’s get to 150,000? 🙏🏼
Petition · Safeguard Futures: End child marriage ·
This is the case that made me contact
@IKWRO
& work in this area.
When I heard this story I immediately thought of my sister Banaz was let down. Hearing this call, all I can think about is Banaz’s last words to Police “Now that I’ve told too my story, what can you do for me…?”
Multiple failures by West Midlands Police officers "materially contributed" to the deaths of a woman and her mother, an inquest found.
Raneem Oudeh made a desperate 999 call before being murdered by her estranged husband