This is extremely sad, this woman was working for poor women out there, and she was simply targeted by some mentally ill person. Comments here show contrast of different views from east and west. Me being Pakistani have this perception that there are always extremists and moderates out there, but it is responsibility of law and order which controls them and abide them to control their own views and understandings. Some comments illustrate that it’s Pakistan, so what you expect, but my point of view is that this is spreading everywhere and we need to see why this is actually happening. Only if we have proper law and order these can stop or at least control. Western world has great interest on destroying the religious extremist but they should also show some positive approach to place law and order starting from Iraq it self. I feel so sorry for this woman and her family, but with this I also hope that thousands of mothers in Iraq, Afghanistan and Palestine also suffer like this. This can only be felt by person who loses their loved ones. I hope this world becomes better place and Pakistani’s living abroad also abide the rules and God also guide them to think positive about their origin country. Lastly Islam never teaches any one to kill others and if some one deserves punishment they will get it, no one has any right over any other individual, as it is said its between God and person.

Wajid, Glasgow, UK

From the lush green gardens of my hear i sing a solitary prayer for and behalf of late zilla huma usmans and her family. this is monumental tragedy for muslims and all god fearing humans on earth since birth.
What a tragic loss for the whole of humanity. i have been so so disturbed by this tragedy that as chairman of my company and as a protest, i decided to pull out our recent investments in pakistan and also dispose off our residential property in lahore......as a mark of respect for a rare gifted woman, who has been denied the love of her beloved family.
Any human who chooses to kill allahs creation...has to ask..........whether allah ever gave that person the jurisdiction to kill allahs creation............what a tragedy.... Foreign investors like me who came to pakistan with so much commitment and passions, are now running scared just for the love of life.
may allah grant her a richly deserved place in heaven &i wish to pray & stand by her family in this most senseless act...

KHALID, leicester, england

I only want to say that all Muslim women should follow the Quran and they should do what Allah Tabarak-Wata-Aala told us to. They must wear hijab to show their modesty.
On the other hand, men have no rights to kill women. Infact, killing 'innocents' is forbidden in Islam. Both men and women have equal rights and responsibilities. Allah said that both men and women are equal in Quran but He also created some limits. Anyone who would cross those limits, will get his/her punishments on the Day Of Judgement.

Annam, Toronto, Canada

outrageous

allen azark, great neck, new york

This is truely sad for women in Pakistan because these types of incidents will cause other women who may have spoken against these injustices to silence themselves.

"We are born of woman, we are conceived in the womb of woman, we are engaged and married to woman. We make friendship with woman and the lineage continued because of woman. When one woman dies, we take another one, we are bound with the world through woman. Why should we talk ill of her, who gives birth to kings? The woman is born from woman; there is none without her..." (Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Guru Granth Sahib (Sikh Holy Scriptures), page 473)

Daljit Singh, Sacramento, CA, USA

I't is very out of balance and sad for a thing such as this to happen. Yet, every day, woman are opperssed and hurt. Why does this happpen? Who decited so long ago that men are like god? Woman create men, how can a man have created this world? Just like the process of giving birth, both man and woman create a baby, but the woman is the earth bringing life to her/him. Where did this balance go? We have disrupted this balance, we can create a place where we are in balence and equal with All. Nature, Woman, Children, Teens, All Non- human Beings such as Dogs, Cats, Goats, Pigs, Horses and everything else. Now is the time for Balance and Equality. This man who killed, I know for certain that he is not sent from the Goddess / God. No sane being would ask anyone to hurt a woman because she was trying to achieve this Great Balance. How would he be different if he was born a woman? I am 15 and I experience an underlying sexism everywhere. We are All EQUAL!!!!!

Claire, Boulder , CO, USA

Nimra, Karachi. So how come it's a religion that is so easily currupted or hi-jacked. The Mullahs need turfing out just like the Spanish Inquistion was 400 years ago. Islam needs reformation - and soon. Religion - if you follow one - should guide your life - not control it........unless you want to become a Monk or a Nun.

Phil, Preston,

Ahmed. People are making excuses for Islam. Why. We see this happening and we see your leaders supporting it. So why do Muslims deny this is rooted in Islam and call us "Islamophobes when we say that Islam is murderously sexist ?

Ify, Detroit, MI

ISlam IS a ReLIgIOn Of PeaCE .......DOes DE aBov MEntIOneD stoRy ShoWZ TrIFlE ReFlECTIOn OF THiS DEfInItioN........ISlAM SAyZ 'a Muslim is one from whose hands and tongue other muslims are saved'
Islam sayz' teaching is by kindness not by coercion'
Prophet P.B.U.H came to this world when every thing was upside down.i just wanna say that why he didn't stab any one to prove himself.An inauspicious act like this, is just another way to tarnish the image of PEaCe LuVin RElIgION

Namrah Aziz, kharian, pakistan

I must agree with Ahmed Khan. Though we of other religions might view this act as horrific, terrible, and extreme, we must not forget that our perspective is skewed by our own beliefs. We can not base an attack by using what our religion teaches, becuase our religion is not their religion. It is a terrible and sad day when a woman is killed because she wants to stand up for her rights, but that notion is not only centered in the present. Throughout history this kind of violence has occured, even in Christianity. Look into the past and see that it is not only these extremeist who have discovered the use of death as a tool for oppression.

nave, Lexington, Ky

I am a Pakistani Muslim and I can tell you that neither my religious nor my national values have ever given me cause to question my place in society as a woman. Islam taught me that I am equal to any man and can think and judge as well as any man. I will strongly disagree with anyone who thinks otherwise!

Furthermore, anyone who suggests that Islam encourages such actions clearly needs more exposure to a true interpretation of Islam. The murder of this lady is an extremely tragic event. But I hope other Muslim men and women learn from this and fight back against both the "fundamentalists" and the "Islamophobes" who are hijacking the true spirit of Islam.

Nimra, Karachi, Pakistan

I hope that the killing of this brave woman will lead other brave men and women of Pakistan to pick up her cause of bringing greater freedom to women as well as men. These extremists who manipulate Koran to build their power base should be confronted by the public at large. A starting point might be construction of a monument celebrating this woman's great work.

kevin99999, Silver Spring,

I hope that the killing of this brave woman will lead other brave men and women of Pakistan to pick up her cause of bringing greater freedom to women as well as men. These extremists who manipulate Koran to build their power base should be confronted by the public at large. A starting point might be construction of a monument celebrating the cause of this brave individual. Her death should not be forgotten.

kevin99999, Silver Spring, MD

It seems that a great bunch of such atrocities has to happen till all of us realise that the term "fundamendalist" should not designate someone who misinterprets his scripture but a true believer, one that reads and interprets the Book as it is written. This is a prerequisite to correctly judge the root of such actions and not be diverted (or covered) by words such as our current concept of a "fundamendalist". Until then, I fear that many good people will share the fate of Zilla Huma Usman.

Balint Erdi, Bp,

This tragic incident can only illustrate the vast discrepancy between what is taught and actually practiced in Islam. Her sin was not covering her head properly? And, that gives the devout the license to kill for that sin? Please excuse me, but at this rate I will never believe that Islam is capable of being a religion of "peace," as my lying President Bush called it.

TEG, Las Vegas, NV USA

Ahmed Khan, kindly review what you have written. Any reasonable person would tell you that this is the lack of education and sheer poverty combined with manipulation local powers who allow it. These "religious" leaders fear that change will erode their power. Islam is one religion which has practices pluralism. The incident has nothing to do with religion. However it has a lot to do with the opposition in promoting and inticing anger.

Ernie Vaston, Toronto, Canada

I am deeply moved, sadden & humbled by this sick & twisted tragedy. I know very little about Islam, but I am quite suspicious that any true prophet of God would deem women below the status of a goat or rat. It seems very clear to me that this Killer & others like him do not represent any teachings of God, & are guided by the voice evil. Where are the good men of Islam? They must stand up for the mothers & daughters. I pray for women's safety everywhere. A different world is possible!!!

Earth Lande, San Franciso, CA

Although this is surprising to Western readers, this is commonplace and accepted in Pakistan. Islam teaches that God made women inferior and are therefore to be subjugated by men. Allowing a woman to occupy a position of power goes against this "divine" order and disrupts the social norms. As Islamic extremism spreads, particularly in Muslim countries known for their ultra-strict madrassas, events like this will continue to propagate. To deny that this is Islamic is dishonest, as is assuming all muslims condone such actions. This is no longer confined to a small group of extremists, and is increasingly beginning to represent the mainstream in Pakistan.

Ahmed Khan, Lahar, Pakistan

What an insanity! Obviously that man didnot read the Koran comprehensively. That kind of behaviour made in the name of Islam makes me very sick. It does nothing for the ummah other than more hatred and suspicion towards Islam. And how can a person go around killing people, playing God? Even a prophet won't do that. I humbly suspect that the Pakistani government didnot do their homework well to educate people.

I am a woman, muslim, live in Indonesia. Although far from perfect, back here we respect individual's choice, including the right to choose dress or to choose certain kind of occupation.

Dewi, Bandung, Indonesia

The National Association of Women has said NOTHING about this case. They do not care about the welfare of women.

jw, Waterloo, ON, CANADA

may God bless this woman's family with patience during this diffcult time. the sad part about this is that this man truely believes his actions were justified,- nothing in Islam states someone forfiets thier life because they are not dressed properly.or because they are working to better the conditions in their society- But its very clear that you will forfiet yours by taking a life unjustly.
peace

sahar, ypsilanti, mi

I am so glad Michael posted this article. I attend a liberal college in New York State and i have several professors who preach of the unfairness towards women in the US and have actually said that the us is 25 th in the nation in what they pay their women (no cited sources of course) and etc., you can imagine i am sure, I have to take this class for credit... Anyway, also she talked about a woman picked up for prostitution for wearing the wrong thing in the wrong part of town in San Fransisco (on the "line" between prostitution and commercial districts) and was SO outraged, but i bet she won' t MENTION this article, which tells of the fanaticism they deny we are fighting over there. Michael savage for president i am sure more every day.
Fight liberalism!

Noelani Forth, Gouverneur, NY

Please see article here:

http://uraan.wordpress.com/hate-crimes-religions-nations-ideologies-or-simply-media-gimics/

I think it'll be quite interesting for all the people here.

Ali, Lahore, Pakistan

This is the end result of religion.

"Moderate" religious people can't take charge, because fundamentally, moderates are wrong. That's why fundamentalism in the west is growing -- it's the correct interpretation of the old scribbles.

As long as we continue to respect religious veiwpoints, this kind of thing will happen.

foobar, Ontario, CA

Lin--
IRONY--get it?

Simone, Potomac, MD

It's pretty sad that it is the lower income group that seems to misinterpret Islam more often than not, and they are usually encouraged by those of the higher income group who have their own agendas. These people should be thought what Islam really means, and not be deluded into their own fantasies of what it means.

Raj, Brisbane, Australia

Although this is surprising to Western readers, this is commonplace and accepted in Pakistan. Islam teaches that God made women inferior and are therefore to be subjugated by men. Allowing a woman to occupy a position of power goes against this "divine" order and disrupts the social norms. As Islamic extremism spreads, particularly in Muslim countries known for their ultra-strict madrassas, events like this will continue to propagate. To deny that this is Islamic is dishonest, as is assuming all muslims condone such actions. This is no longer confined to a small group of extremists, and is increasingly beginning to represent the mainstream in Pakistan.

Ahmed Khan, Karachi, Pakistan

Pakistan, woman, murder, religion... and you say its only because of Islamic fundamentalist groups... supressing women and a typical picture of Pakistan... this is completely absurd.
In this case the man is obviously crazy. As mentioned above, the man is not a member of any radical organisation - its clear that he is not in a normal mental state.
We do read similar incidents in newspapers around the world where crazy people do such things e.g the recent serial killer in UK who killed 5-6 call-girls. Should we not call that 'christian fundamentalism' as well !!!

UL, London, UK

Having witnessed this kind of discrimination first hand in my own community, I am total agreement with the previous comment that Islamic nations have the responsibility to teach their citizens what Islam actually means. This man, obviously has not had the right guidance. Had he checked his facts, he would infact have had second thoughts about his disgusting actions.

I find it disgusting that a government would allow people to openly preach such hate and then when questioned lie about the steps they are supposedly taking in order to change their society.

I am a muslim, in the UK, and by Islamic standards, the laws in this country are far closer to sharia law than any current islamic state.

Pakistan has a very long way to go before it truly call itself an islamic state.

I hope that man is put away fro a very long time.

Adeel, London, UK

There is a very interest artcile on this news item. You can read it here:

http://uraan.wordpress.com/hate-crimes-religions-nations-ideologies-or-simply-media-gimics/

Alex Norman, LA/CA,

You know... with doctors in the US refusing to help people because of the Bible it may be more beneficial for some of you to be worried about radical Christianity than radical Islam

joe shmoe, Zanzibar, USA/Connecticut

Hello Drew, greetings from Lubbock! nice to know I'm not the only one around here who feels this way :)

Keli, Lubbock, TX

In response to A. Mills of Danville, CA:

So you're basically saying that if men can't control themselves, women should be punished for it? And if you're going to go back as far as Eve being the blame for all sins, remember one thing: Eve came from men. Glad to see you're so educated.

Lin, Reno, NV

Where was this guy when pakistanis chose Benazir Bhutto as their leader? He must have been born and living in Pakistan.

Bengali Muslims of bangladesh are better than of American and French people who have been choosing females as their leaders for the last 7-8 years as their ruling prime ministers.
Where did this guy get his lessons from?

Gazelle, Delhi, India

Remember, friends, the Council on American Islamic Relations assures us that this kind of behavior has nothing to do with Islam. It is just a matter of coincidence I presume, that such acts occur in Islamic countries. Besides if God wanted women to compete in marathons, he would have made their bodies less alluring to the male hormonal drive. How is it possible for us males to control ourselves when viewing a bunch of sweaty women run by in shorts and t shirts. If women are going to compete in marathons, they should do so in burkkas. Obviously, better a dead woman than one who might cause a sexual thought in a hapless male. After all, isn't Eve the cause of original sin.? It is good to see that there are people in the world who really understand women and talk directly to God. How much better civilization is because of their protection of the rest of us from having impure thoughts.

A Mills, Danville, CA. USA

This is really terrible. Such an incident will allow for an increase in women oppression unless widely renounced through the media.
Islam should not be like this and it does not give specific teachings encouraging such actions, but I guess the catch is that the general teachings of Islam create an encouraging enviroments for such franatics to appear.

Ali, Missouri, US

Pakistan. Not surprising at all.

Sven, Portland, Oregon USA

I'll bet that the killer won't be convicted or it will receive a minor conviction, due to the fact that "he is a man and had all rights to kill a woman - a sinner". It will take long for them to change something as long as even most women think that is't their duty to be obedient...

Ioana , Bucharest, Romania

With People like this around you think Pakistan will ever develop or progress?

Shahzad, Dubai, UAE

Muslim leaders everywhere have the duty to properly educate Muslims. It's their duty to ensure that no radicals in their community think that God gave them the right to judge others and kill the "unjust". I know Muslim communities working hard to educate and ensure that the children are not brainwashed by those who think they know, but preach actions that are totally against Islam. More Muslim community leaders need to realize that this is their duty. To those radicals: do you think you did any good to our religion? You are Muslims: act like it. Do you think you did this for the better good? Now we've got two more children with no mother. Not very smart.

Imran, Montreal, Canada

Attention Everyone!

You do NOT have an imaginary friend telling you to kill people.

You've been brainwashed.

Vic, Las Vegas, USA

What causes this cultural violence? Obviously to anyone in the know. It's a combination of cardboard, flannel, Jazz, Popcorn and the space shuttle. All we have to do is get rid of those things and there will be worldwide peace.

Chris, Seattle,

As always, our best and finest are sacrificed, needlessly squandered while pointing the way for us to a brighter future for all. Minister Usman's profound courage to stand for a future filled with hope, can never be erased.

Regardless how ruthless, murder can never change the inevitable, inspired, course of human history. For God has so blessed us all, with an innate, transcendant, hope and faith.

And, try as they will, to hide bloody footprints under rational lies belieing all virtue, the guilt of these deluded souls follows them wherever they go. No special court of law, no judge in robes is needed to condemn them. Our hearts recognize them too easily. Their every act confesses it.

Nor can they escape ultimate proof - that evil can only destroy. It never creates.

P. Towb, San Jose, Ca.

I think the women of NOW and other feminist groups need to go to Pakistan and then tell us how evil the US is towards women's rights.

Drew, Lubbock, TX

"In the name of Alllah, the most Beneficient, the most Merciful"
As long as the Islamic moderates sit quietly in their own fear of the radicals, as long as there are regimes that promote the radical Islam, as long as there are Islamic regimes that don not get rid of the poverty and illiteracy , so that only a part of the population is educated and being advanced while the rest , and a majority is being left behind in the throes of poverty, as long as there are Islamic regimes that sit quiet and condone and even promote corruprion and cruelty, their will not just be the sucide bombers and the radicals willing to kill, the whole nation of muslims, and their religion is destined for death.
from
my heartfelt sympathies

t stone, decatur,

Oh thats shocking and rude also...why people do things like this ? i am not able to get it...One person should respect the other person not just by their caste or language but respect as a person and be a good citizen. Don't harm anyone from your side...that's the main thing.

Bruno Raschio, Miami, USA/Florida

if people just belived in the higher power called god and forgot the scam called religion (ALL FAITHS) the world would be better off.

religion is just an excuse to kill

billstu, malden,

A religion of peace... I've heard it called that many times, while all the evidence indicates the contrary.

Heather, Portland, OR, USA

Sabrina: When religious texts and teachings have such confused, clouded and contradictory messages that their interpretation can be used as an excuse for many evil and harmful acts then the fault lies with that religion.

David, London, UK

Why would anyone want to follow this religion? . Free the female of your your non violent ,loving religion. Moderate work harder. I think your religion is still in the dark ages.

Keith, Ottawa, Canada

There's no point in telling us what Islam is or is not, as long as people commit crimes like this (or 9/11 or all the others), and claim to do in the name of Islam. If Islam is better than this, please stop telling us, and and take action to enlighten Muslims on how the modern world works: violence in the name of an ideal is unacceptable. No amount of words can excuse this, regardless of where the words are written, or who is quoting them - even a President..

brian t, Dublin, Ireland

You just don't see christians killing women over their fashion choices. I am starting to wonder what they teach in mosques.

jim, Lakeside, Indiana

How anyone can suggest that the murder of a woman politician in Pakistan and the possible move towards Islamic anarchy is good news is beyond me. It proves that Pakistan, like most other Islamic nations, is backward in its political, social and economic attitude and approach to tolerance especially when there is widespread discrimination against women for daring to be educated and for daring to enter the world of politics. A very sad day for any notion of democracy in Pakistan.

Hugh P Grant, England, United Kingdom

This woman was a somebody so it is in the news but I wonder how many other muslim women this has happened to. It seems something like this happens almost everyday somewhere in the world. Will Nancy Grace, Greta or Larry King cover this story or will they continue to talk about Anna Nicole while "Rome burns".

marty, middletown ,

This is just another example of one nut job somehow being held up as a representation of the entire religion of Islam. Give me a break. Christianity has its wackos too, its just that we medicate them in the the west. Believe me, without antipsychotic medications you would see this stuff happening in America as well. Lest we forget the many assasinations we have had here for just as psychotic a reasons as this man in Pakistan had. It is not the fault of Islam as many would have you believe for their own reasons.......

Gabriella, Tulsa, USA

I am a Christian and I have many Muslim friends ; they do not recognize this kind of Islam. I believe that Muslims must unite and fight this form of extremism because if they don't many Christians and members of other faiths will mistakenly develop prejudices and maybe hatred for this great and peaceful religion. Islam is submission to God (Allah) and is definitely not submission to violence.

Henry R, Longueuil , Quebec, Canada

who can tell me what a woman's place is, in paradise? what if allah is a woman?

wally, kalamazoo, usa/michigan

People use Islam to forward their agenda, be it individual or any government, Islam teaches peace and harmony coexistence, Pakistan have law and order problem, if a minister is not safe then what can ordinary person can expect from this government who are busy filling their pockets, when you introduce Jungle rule of law then we will continue to see the killings of innocents.

Generals need to respect the voice of people and bring rule of law which is fair and transparent to all.

Najib Afsar, Birmingham, UK

Perhaps Pakistan should inquire into how to transform itself into a secular state -- like Turkey. They don't seem to be following a peaceful course, under the rule of law. It's more like vigilante justice, Soprano-style. Is this the sort of mess they would like to spread around the world? No-thanks Mohammad!

Terry, Montreal, Quebec

It is another example of the view held by a significant minority of muslims. This sort of thinking belongs in the stone age and it is a shame more Islamic women are not given a voice.

James, Haywards Heath,

This is horrific and terrible; I am a Muslim and am saddened by the brutal murder of a fine lady, a mother and a freedom fighter. I hope that her death will not go in vain and the government in Pakistan would clamp down on the religious extremists and the terrorists. Islam has been perverted and Muslims should fight hard against this wave of deviant thought that is spreading through the Muslim world.
'We ordained for the Children of Israel that WHOSOEVER SLEW ANOTHER HUMAN BEING, unless it be for murder or for spreading mischief in the land, IT WOULD BE AS IF HE SLEW ALL OF HUMANITY: and if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of all of humanity.'' (Qur'an, 5:32)
Muslim brothers and sisters, let's not hide our heads in the sand and deny that some of our flock have lost their way in the worst way possible. Let's root them out, let's educate our youth what Islam is really about. Islam is a religion of tolerance and peace; Islam is not what the terrorists do!!

Ahmed Mulla, Hexham, UK

This monster should be sentenced to life in prison with women dressed without "proper clothing" as his prison gaurds. He should be forced to work while imprisoned to help support the family of the woman he murdered. What is happening in the world when fanatics can justify such horrid behavior in the name of Islam? This man knows nothing of true Islam. He is a disgrace to human kind.

Nabeha, Chicago, IL USA

The talibanisation of Pakistan appears to be continuing.

A Nuclear armed Al Qaeda next on the cards?

Chris Linthwaite, Beverley, East Yorkshire

Without Reformation in Islam these type of atrocities will continue to occur. On one hand it is always said that Islam condemns violations of all types and on the other crimes are committed in the name of Islam. Thats is one of the biggest paradoxes within Islamic belief to be dealt with...

Ali E., Istanbul, Turkey

Where are the feminists? Where's the outcry at this oppression of women? I am disturbed and disgusted by this event, even though it is not isolated.

Natalya, Portland, OR, USA

Tragic, but whats even more tragic is that this fanatics actions are not discouraged by the Quran which from my reading is clear about a womans place in the world.

Arnold Ward, Weybridge,

sabrina, skikda, algeria said: "islam isn't the religion of violence and fanatism.....it's the religion that gave women all their rights in all the existing fields of our lives"

Yeah, that's where the problem begins. Most people will blame the person who carried out the act, the country, culture, and etc. BUT not the religion. While giving women rights to this and that, it also prevents women from other areas. Thus conflicting itself.

Here, as I see the question is not who would blame for this horrible act, but what?

Sharif, Lawrence,

You just don't see christians killing women because of fashion choices.

jim, garrett, USA, kentucky

Blame religion? No.

Religion responsible? Partially.

Change religion to avoid similar incidents?


Good luck with that.

Rick Sparks, Los Angeles, CA,

The Religion of Peace shows it's strong suit, once again.

Amerikajin, CA, USA

the man was a psycopath using a cause as a excuse, when his real motivation is he likes to kill women, a woman hater. He does not represent a sane man nor a sane muslim.

colin, alicante, spain

God help protect us from these hatefilled men who profess such devotion to allah, yet are so devoid of basic respect for human life. it's pathetic to see these cowards hiding behind their "faith" and treating women and children like animals. i wonder what Jesus would say today if He read such sad headlines.

mike, atlanta, georgia

Political correctness will be the doom of us all. Someone needs to say it loud and clear Islam needs to change !!!

kiarie kinyanjui, Ulm,

Dear David Thijm,
shame on you!

Chiara Baldisseri, London, UK

It appears that the whole world, Islam and non-Islam, has come to expect violence and viciousness, murder and mayhem, committed in the name of an ill-defined faith. Is there no outrageous condemnation of this act from the highest ranking clerics of Islam? Will this murderer be summarily executed? Short of that, it really is just business as usual, we'll wring our hands and furrow our brows -- too bad. I mourn the loss of one of your champions, and it's my sincere wish that the nation of Pakistan arise from this, define itself, and then grow and prosper peaceably among nations.

Tom Breese, L.A., USA

Koran prohibits friendship with infidels: "Infidels are those who declare 'God is Christ, the son of Mary'"- Surah 5:17; "Infidels are those that say 'God is one of three in a Trinity'"-Surah 5:73; "Infidels are your sworn enemies"-Sura 4:101. The Koran continued: "Make war on the infidels"-Sura 9:123; "When you meet the infidel in the battlefield strike off their heads"-Surah 47:4; "Muhammad is Allah's apostle, those who follow him are ruthless to the infidels"-Surah 48:29; "Take neither Jews nor Christians for your friends"-Surah 5:51.

Sounds like peace and harmony doesn't it?

There is one that overcomes with force, and another ... Love... who wins? Who is Love?

Jack Sampson, Greenacres, FL/USA

What a terrible shame. May God bless her and comfort her family.

Where were the security people responsible for protecting her? How in the world could this attacker have been let go after being linked to SIX other murders? Couldn't this have been avoided if he had been punished after the first time?

David, Raleigh, USA

Arrest his Imam, who encouraged these extreme views and should be charged with incitement to murder.

Dave, Basingstoke, UK

It's sad to read about this brave and courageous woman who stood up to those
who wanted to keep women in the Dark Ages. What happened to Ms. Usman serves as a reminder of the unspoken atmosphere of fear and intimidation that our Muslim sisters have to live with on a daily basis in these countries. I hope President Musharraf
goes on national television to condemn the killing of Ms. Usman and intimidation of
all Pakistani women and I hope her killer is jailed for the rest of his life.

Cheryl Ann Hartnett, Salisbury, USA/Maryland

This was the kind of woman our own western feminists should have been supporting but alas modern western 'feminists' hate women who try to empower their sisters. I'm sure they regard freedom loving women like this as 'imperialistic-zionist-crusader-stooges'.

Left wing women the world over will be delighted at this cruel murder. I for one am deeply saddened....

Clara, Brum, UK

I'm tired of everyone putting this veneer of rectitude on these little debacles. It is always that the perpetrators are "extremists", or "fanatics", or an aberration. It is never that they come from a religion that is just plain old, problematic. And please, I don't want to hear about how this is shortsighted, that there are millions of Muslims out there who are wonderful people. If so, then how come they are not turning their hands to save us from their detritus?

Ann, South Prairie, WA

This is the state of affairs in Pakistan and I would not be surprised if similar fanatical mentality that already exists out there would import similar tactics in Britain, due to the strong link between fundamentalist elements in Pakistan and UK.
Its high time the extremists are dealt with a heavy hand by the moderate and still sane governments both in the East and the West.

Dr Shaaz Mahboob, London, UK

No surprises there. Got to keep the women in their place or control will be lost.

David Thijm, Stourbridge, UK

Don't assume it is just country bumpkins who feel this way.
Did no one watch the channel 4 tv documentary a while ago on hidden opinions aired in the safety of the mosque here in the uk?

Helen, norwich,

I recall a PBS talk show of women panelists where none of the liberal panelists were willing to condemned female circumcision. Unable to get beyond the relativism of cultural diversity, they said they opposed it only if it were done against the woman's will. So much for standing up for women's rights! At least Hillary Clinton condemned China's population policies at the international women's convention held in China. I wonder what ever happened to the campaign by the wife of Jay Leno for women's rights in Afghanistan before Bush overthrew the Taliban. Not one positive word has been heard. Indeed, not one negative word. Once Bush acted, interest seems to have been lost in the cause.

Richard L.A. Schaefer, Dubuque, USA

islam isn't the religion of violence and fanatism.....it's the religion that gave women all their rights in all the existing fields of our lives.....it's really sad to think that people are able to kill someone just because of its clothes ....islam is the religion of forgiveness, of simplicity and it doesn't forbid women from doing any political or economical work , in the contrary fatima the wife of the prophet mohammed was a politicien , she was the leader of many politiocal movements.....so this fanatism has nothing to do with islam , it's just a terrorist act as any other comitted against peace in the world.

sabrina, skikda, algeria

Pakistan is spiraling toward anarchy. But Islamic anarchy. That the good news.
It is now upto the citizens of Pakistan to join the Government of Pakistan to fight against such views. I belive that that this curse can only be put down if people of Pakistan fight this curse.

Shahid Hussain, Saint Louis, USA

It might not be too long before this happens in the UK...

Roger Malstead, Sevenoaks, UK