I find beauty is a gift from God and not to embarrass it, I support Ms Faress on this brave step that she did. And I think killing for owner is not our druzes trait or religious believes since killing is one of the biggest sins that not forgiven by God and those who perform it are fiends.

Sultan, Lebanon,

her family shud b the ones hu encourage her to do well in wat she wants to do. she shud kum b4 eberyfing else including family honour

Niall, Bristol,

I believe Angelina should of not been in the pagent
in the first place. Her parents should of known better.
But I do not believe the uncles have the right to plot
her murder and take her life for what ever reason.
Only and Only God Almight Exalted By His Name can
do that!!

Thank you,

wedad, albverta, canada

i would just like to say this to Suraya, the body cant be hidden its not a precious jewel but it is the form that we all represent. Even if it is hidden perpetrators will always be around unless we teach our children not to be embarrassed or ashamed but instead to love each others minds, bodies and souls.

And Suraya if u read this I don't in anyway want you to think that i am angry with your perspective.

Daniel, london,

I think everyone is missing the real issue of the problem here. The point is that the majority of people living in the middle east are still living in the way of the tribes. Being an arab and a druze, I can say that this behaviour is not exclusive to the druze community. So called honor crimes are common in the whole middle east.

Tarek Zouheiry, Beirut, Lebanon

Oh! Children of Abrahams, may thy grandparent pray for giviness, and tolerance among yourself.

The current world we are living in required real understanding and love for one another if we are to survive as a human race.

George Ram Goda, Stockholm, Stockholm, SWEDEN

So God got it wrong when he declared that everything he made was 'very good.' (Genesis 1) He should have said 'everything except a woman's legs' - or face - or ankles - or bust - or waist -or whetever you decide to write in.

David, Colwyn Bay, Wales

The carnal mind is set on the flesh. While the biblical G-D is against extramarital/public sensuality, HE did not decree a death sentence for it. So called ‘honor-killings’ stem from pride & haughtiness – extra-biblically forcing holiness upon others. The carnal mind, male & female, exploits the female form and the male ‘drive’ -- for power & wealth. This is the lowest common denominator of humanity. Young Angelina is chasing dreams for a better life, on the broad-path of sensuality, created by the corporate media. There is no moral high-ground here. G-D calls for each of us, men & women, to reign-in our carnal desires. Holiness is a personal choice, granted by G-D; it can not be imposed by church, mosque, shul or family. Honor/Haughty-murderers tend to track-down their victims – Doaa Fares beware. Whatever you do, do all to the glory of G-D.

YoAv, Brockport,

I love it when someone says something like, it is an ancient culture and things cannot change over night; it will take many years. Then you watch a man of that culture step into a BMW, flip open his mobile phone and drive to the latest shopping mall.

timothy, yokohama, japan

Ms. Fares is welcome to Sweden, where honor killings have been widely exposed. I think she is not safe anymore in the Mid East.

God bless her

sigge bock, Krylbo, Sweden

So let me get this straight. It is okay for Druze to join the IDF, support the occupation and oppress Palestinians but it is wrong for a young Druze woman to participate in a beauty contest. I think the Druze community needs to look deeper into their mirrors and ask what it wrong with this picture.

Richard, Los Angeles, USA

A small community like Druze or any small community under the umbrella of a larger society is inclined to preserve and protect its traditional values. If some individual does not want to be a part of these traditions he or she can easily move out into a broader sphere and do what he/she wants to do and still retain his/her broader identity but loose his/her identity with the community he/she originally belonged to.


Amir

amir, Harrow,

Everyone wishes everything was fine and everyone condemns intolerance. Can we all assume this is true without harping on about it.

When religion is finally brought into the biological field and it is shown that there are solid biological and evolutionary reasons behind adherence to faith, religions will start to converge in their thinking, with each other and with the advances of science.

Until then, wiping our eyes, wringing our hands and standing on soapboxes will get us nowhere.

iain, bedford, bedfordshire

The Israeli Druze are warm people & in general good citizens. However, I wish that theats of honor killling had not entered into this young women's life.

Neil, Long Island City, The United States of America, New York

Whilst I respect all religions I find that the attitude expressed here by her family members, to reflect the ills of society. We live in the 21st century and tolerance seems to be getting further away from certain sections of society.

What saddens me even more as a man, is that the attitudes that suppress women in a modern educated society are allowed to continue.

I think the young woman has great compassion to try and heal the wound that her family have caused by her actions. As for her parents attitude of not wishing to prosecute her uncles etc. it show tolerance seems to be a one way street.

I applaude all women for standing up to oppression and hope the bigotory that seems to continue to run in society can one day we eradicated.

David R N Livesley, Woodstock - Vermont, USA

In addition, I would also like to add to Martin's comments and urge him to reconsider the idea of leaving one's homeland if you don't agree with the social conduction - Doaa Fares' case should be evidence of this.

Unfortunately no consideration seems to be made of the emotional ties that families and loved ones exercise in our choices. It is not as easy as to leave the society that you live in to seek acceptibility of who you are elsewhere - I can only imagine this is moreso in countries like Israel - when so much of 'who you are' is founded in the very people you would be trying to escape.

It takes generations to change ways of thinking, but I can only hope for the coming generations that those who read stories like this today can see the flaw and begin to challenge the mentalities that those closest to them are responsible, individually, for creating.

Victoria, London,

Really - this sort of thing is just the epitome of small-mindedness and really is testimony to the sorts of ignorant prejudices that create wars. In this case it is an issue of 'social status' and putting up appearances - but in reality this behaviours surfaces in everyday occurances. Perhaps I take this stance because I live in a (somewhat) liberal London, but if anything I am thankful that I live in an sort of open-minded society that breeds debate and questioning. By questioning who we are and the social values that irrefutably underpin our choices then we're making the first step to seeing what is worth the fight and what is not.

It is no wonder why not just the Israeli/Palestinians, but Sunnis/Shiites, Bosnians/Croats , etc.. cannot strike any accord when decisions are based so much on such emotional impulse and prejudice.

Victoria, London,

Another quick point - the "scholar" of the Druze has said in the article “We live in a democratic state and freedom prevails, but if a woman goes beyond the red lines, it will cause people to isolate this person or worse.”

It seems like Angelina wants the red line extended. Again, thats her choice & she a has a free will to exercise. But that community is governed by religious laws and so she should seek out a place that is more open to her needs and her liberal feelings. Not every community likes their womenfolk parading half naked on international TV, and not every community likes people preventing their womenfolk from doing so out of their own choice. Therefore, I would imagine that a choice exists as to which community you would better prefer. Just move out.

Some communities abuse religion and invent their own laws & claim it to be part of religion; extremist communities are hardly anyones favourites. Solution is to leave that area or community and go somewhere else-HER CHOICE.

Abdullah Martin, London, UK

No one has the right to kill another. Everyone has a right to choose. Everyone has free will. If she wants to flaunt her body half naked or whatever for "professional" judges to judge her, or perverted men to get kicks, that is her own choice.

However, she is living in a community goverened by religious laws and they must be respected. The community is living in harmony and peace within their laws. She has the choice to do as she pleases, but she should go to a community more open to her sense of freedom and liberation. Just because religion tells you to have a sense of shame and sanctity about your precious body, does not make it bad. You have the choice to disagree, but thats my belief.

Point being, if one does not want to be governed by religious laws in a religious community then they should leave & go to a community more in line with their desire. No need for violence. If exposing your body is banned in a community, then she should leave that community to avoid persecution.

Martin, London, UK

i FEEL all people must have the right to become who ever they want to and do what ever they thank they can do in the light of their God as long as they dont infrenge on other peoples rightsim all for the drues girl;' shes so lovely and good looking she should'nt waste her life in some dirty farmers kiychen ' let her have her owne life

hENRY .W. Bagby, Louisville, Kentucky

Why do MEN think they are so superior that they matter more than a woman? Honestly, I think they envy womens beauty brains and intution, not to mention their ability to bear children. Woman has more power than man and he cant stand that so he comes up with religions and rules to "punish" woman for being female! What honor is their in killing women?

Nancy, a small town, USA

Don't you think the village people, the religion leaders are being judgemental. Just because the young lady was following her dream she was pre-judged to be a prostitute? Where did it say she performed sexual acts for money? She simply wore a swim suit (Yes, maybe more reviling then their use to). Maybe they should be prous of this young lady? She is a bright shinning star that is lost in the darkness of her village. She was honoring her people by competing...not dis-honoring them or disgracing them.

Mitch, Manitowoc, WI

Suraya, what good is a precious jewel that has been buried in the ground? We should all try to make use of the talents and assets we are born with, even if that 'asset' is beauty. You should never be afraid of the potential you can achieve.

Sean, CO, US

I decry such a deplorable issue ,and in my opinion has prompted many to sustain vigilance. I hugely acknowledge her bravery to refrain from an intriguing dream to remain safe.

Justice should take place to alarm many that consipiracy to cause harm has no stand and shall remain .

Davis Yeboah, London, United Kingdom

I lived with the Druz community in the B'Hamdoun area of Lebanon in the early 1960s summers. Very honorable people, respectful, loving, caring and hospitable people. They believe very much in the dignity of the human being as a moral person. One must respect their culture and system of beliefs. Wonderful memories. This honor killing thing is just out of the ordinary and is not reflective of the Druz culture.

Ara Kourouyan
Pasadena, CA

Ara Kourouyan, Pasadena, CA, USA

I grew up with these people and you have to see it to believe - the problem is that at least 90% of the village people are on the uncles and "the others" side!

Tal, Paris, France

Whatever one thinks about beauty contests, it does not give men the right to murder women who enter them.

I am a Western woman who disagrees that some religions give males the right to take several "wives." That is a form of promiscuity and I would not have any respect for a male in my family who slept with several women at once. Such a man would have no honour in my eyes, but it would not give me the right to murder him

Glen White, Milton Keynes, England

So instead she should be oppressed by faithfuls? If this is her hearts desire and she's being told she can't, isn't she still being oppressed? If such is the case and your argument, then we are all oppressed in one way or another and we might as well follow the path of least regret.

Also, what's the point of having a 'precious jewel' to begin with? It is only precious to either the person who holds it and no one else, therefore, there's no need to hide it because no one else would want it. Or, it's precious to the person who holds it and others, and for it to be precious to other's they need to see it, admire it. This doesn't mean it can't be protected.

Imagine the world we'd live in if Leonardo kept the Mona Lisa in secret; Shakespeare, his works; Madame Currie, Einstein or all the religious prophets, enlightened ones and other leaders within their respective communities- we're would any of you, us, be without inspirations being displayed to further inspire?

Shannon, Bronx, NY, USA

Sorry, I meant Doaa should prosecute.

This kind of injustice makes me so mad I can hardly type correctly.

Torger Hougen, Ft. collins, usa/co

While I cannot fathom how family members could ever justify killing Ms Fares for any reason (how can honor be more important than someone's life?), pageants such as the one Ms Fares wanted to join are corporate vehicles for making a lot of money, most of it for them and not for the winner. While I'm a proponent of most components of a free market, this is one of those gray areas in which marketing and promotion usurp logic and normality, where participants become the cogs of the corporate machine. Ms Fares is beautiful and, while she might have a good chance of winning a pageant, she doesn't need to "win" a pageant to achieve confirmation of who she is.

Steve, Phoenix, Arizona

You should have never dropped out.

Mandee, Panajachel , Guatemala

Precious jewels are not meant to be hidden away.
And "religion" is not good if it encourages murder.
Do not be an ignorant follower of such.

Jean, Smalltown, USA

Suraya,
Would you display a precious jewel in the form of a wedding ring, or would you hide it from "potential prepetrators' (sic)? It appears that Muslim men are not held in particularly high regard by each other or by Muslim women.

Steve, NY,

One cannot be repressed when they make a choice to do something, repression occurs when pressure is placed on someone to change their behaviour, and sadly this is just another example of how religion can be used as an excuse to force people to conform to the social standards of others. It is time for religious leaders to take a stand against people who misuse religion in such a pathetic way, to reinforce their own views and beliefs, and to show that religion is about tolerance, personal development and freedom, not restriction, of choice and free will. Let me leave you with one final thought; if one has a precious piece of art, or a beautiful musical composition, does one hide it away from the world, or allow others to enjoy it and enrich their own lives?

Chris, Cambridge, UK

To Suraya, UK

It is this woman's express wish to participate in a beauty contest. It is very clear that her free will is being repressed by her family's cultural and religious beliefs. Some of us don't believe these fairy stories about God and instead achieve personal fulfilment by realising our dreams.

And if I possessed a precious jewel then I would wear it!

Howard, London,

I apologise. I mean misguided INTERPRETATION.

Richard Kneller, London, United Kingdom

I think Suraya has missed the point here. No one's individual choices to do as they see fit within the law should give others the right to try and take their life. And when those people are family, it just makes the problems with misguded religious ideology like this all the more pertinent.

Richard Kneller, London, United Kingdom

Suraya, you are a slave to your antiquated tribal superstitions. She is trying to be who she wants to be, as she said, from childhood this is what she has wanted to do. Religion is a hateful, ignorant, ugly thing that enslaves people by making them not question the world around them and only see what church elders want them to see. It makes people KILL other people for honour. It makes nations attack other nations and millions and millions of people die for no reason at all over the centuries. And what the hell is the point of having a precious jewel if nobody is ever going to be able to see it?!?!
You and your kind need to get a life and get out of those dangerous death cults you call religion. If that girl wants to follow her dream, then more power to her and shame on anyone cruel and crass enough who wants to stop her.

John, Toronto, Canada

Yes! Don't become oppressed by the media! Stay oppressed by the tenants of a ridiculous and backwards minded religion! That's much better!

Randall, Osaka,

Why do you need to prove to the world that you are beautiful? Do not become oppressed by the media to wear certain clothing and model a certain way. Be who you are and be proud of it. Models are oppressed by the media not by religion. Your religion is beautiful instead of rebelling against it understand it , that is where the true beauty lies. These people supporting you are getting their own cheap thrills from seeing young girls naked. Let me leave you with a final thought; if one has a precious jewel, does one parade it around or hide it from potential prepetrators?

Suraya, UK,

Brave girl! Her actions have highlighted the awful way some communities & religious groups treat women.

As for the notion of bringing 'shame' onto a family, it is a well known method of repression usually fostered by religious beliefs.

It is ironic that the shame is now in the behaviour of her uncles and the others who plotted to murder her - it has backfired on them!

William, Sydney, Australia