My condolences go to Jalil Khan and his family for their loss. It is tragic that no one in any authority could have mandated a solution that could’ve spared his brother’s life and saved face for the fiancee and her family. Since I read the about this tragic incident, I have always wondered if things may not have turned out better if Mr. Khan’s family had offered to pay or augment the dowry for the fiancee as though she were a daughter to give her a better advantage for a future betrothal. What shame would there be for her and her family if they affirmed her value that way?
Marrying for love has been a recent luxury for only a few centuries in the West, and there is still pressure among affluent and aristocratic families to marry among their own kind. Often, in times and areas of economic uncertainty, families forge economic connections through marriage. Such was the case in my own family a few generations ago. For that reason, I sincerely hope others look upon the underlying cultural and economic circumstances with compassion rather than judgment. More and better economic opportunities will give people more choices where families aren’t led to such desperation.
My condolences go to Jalil Khan and his family for their loss. It is tragic that no one in any authority could have mandated a solution that could’ve spared his brother’s life and saved face for the fiancee and her family. Since I read the about this tragic incident, I have always wondered if things may not have turned out better if Mr. Khan’s family had offered to pay or augment the dowry for the fiancee as though she were a daughter to give her a better advantage for a future betrothal. What shame would there be for her and her family if they affirmed her value that way?
Marrying for love has been a recent luxury for only a few centuries in the West, and there is still pressure among affluent and aristocratic families to marry among their own kind. Often, in times and areas of economic uncertainty, families forge economic connections through marriage. Such was the case in my own family a few generations ago. For that reason, I sincerely hope others look upon the underlying cultural and economic circumstances with compassion rather than judgment. More and better economic opportunities will give people more choices where families aren’t led to such desperation.