This is so tragic. What was he thinking?

NEW YORK (CNN) -- The founder of an upstate New York TV station aimed at countering Muslim stereotypes has been arrested on suspicion of killing his wife, who was beheaded, authorities said.
Muzzammil Hassan has been charged with murder in the death of his wife, Aasiya Hassan.

Muzzammil Hassan has been charged with murder in the death of his wife, Aasiya Hassan.

Muzzammil Hassan was charged with second-degree murder after police found the decapitated body of his wife, Aasiya Hassan, at the Bridges TV station in the Buffalo suburb of Orchard Park, said Andrew Benz, Orchard Park's police chief.

Hassan was arrested Thursday.

His wife filed for divorce February 6, and police had responded to several domestic violence calls at the couple's home, Benz said.

On Monday, Benz told CNN that Hassan went directly to the police station after his wife's death Thursday and confessed to killing her. However, Benz on Tuesday denied that he'd said Hassan confessed.

Hassan told Orchard Park police his wife was dead, led officers to her body and was arrested Thursday, Erie County District Attorney Frank Sedita III told CNN on Tuesday. Hassan is scheduled to appear in court Wednesday.

Attempts to reach an attorney for Hassan were unsuccessful Monday, and his family didn't return calls from CNN.

He had two children, 4 and 6, with his wife. He had two other children, 17 and 18, from his previous marriage.

He launched Bridges TV, billed as the first English-language cable channel targeting Muslims inside the United States, in 2004. At the time, Hassan said he hoped the network would balance negative portrayals of Muslims following the attacks of September 11, 2001.

The station's staff is "deeply shocked and saddened by the murder of Aasiya Hassan and the subsequent arrest of Muzzammil Hassan," a statement from Bridges TV said.

"Our deepest condolences and prayers go out to the families of the victim," the statement said.

is it Muslim based or just a guy who lost it???

it's sad either way

sorry...let me clarify...do they think it was because of whatever his beliefs were or just lost it?

It is the way of them...in his country. He felt dishonored by her wanting a divorce...according to his religion....it was his right.
Boy is he in the wrong country. These people treat women like dirt.
Did anyone see her? She is beautiful...smart. She probably thought she was safe here in our country.

Kat

It wasn't stated in the article.
We have to remember, he's only been charged.
Innocent until proven guilty.

it's not the "way of them" there are Muslims that cherish their wives and wouldn't do that even if dishonored

there are people of all beliefs or no religious beliefs that might do that too. they may be shamed, dishonored, jealous, controlling etc

If he confesses or is found guilty, it could have been done in accordance to Sharia Law. He would have done it as an honor killing.

A beheading suggests that the murderer wants to separate his victim’s mind from the body, he does not want to hear what they have to say, he wants the victim mute, and he wants them completely severed, disassociated from their ability to flee.

I'm not up on what certain things mean...although i watch csi and law and order a lot lol

that's an interesting determination. you very well could be right

Sorry yellowrose...but it is what was said. It's the way he believes. Decapitating her was his right as her husband for his dishonour.
Willing2 is right.

Kat

that's why I asked what they said it was due to.

Gee...are you saying when you let religion...ummm haha never mind.

It's okay here when adult male members of some churches (pedophiles) marry thirteen year old girls and take them to bed because they are Christians right?

Nothing disgusting or depraved there right?

It is also the way of the people in our country. A man shot his wife in the face and body several times here yesterday in full view of the public. Killing her and sending the witenesses into shock.

And yet Muslims want to be treated like normal people...

I process my own meat. Hogs, chickens, etc.

First, I shoot the hog in the head. That action feels distant and removed. Then, I cut it's throat. That's hands on and it's a thing not anyone but, a committed person can do.

Shooting a spouse, leads to the same outcome. However, it's not as intimate and personal as a beheading.

I also watch on ogrish, the beheadings in Iraq of Nichols and 3 others.
Beheading a human is not a very quick or clean process, again, an action taking commitment.

A person committed to obeying Sharia Law is obligated to follow the Law.

Probably just watched too many vids that were past onto him. Should be a tough case regarding fair punishment in return for his wrong doings.

Have only found two articles which refer to the 'honor killing' premise. One which has two women, one with the National Organization for Women and the other a matrimonial lawyer, who state that it was / may be. The other artcle quoting his lawyer who says that 'honor killing' / religion had nothing to do with it.

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Muslim TV mogul Muzzammil Hassan's alleged beheading of wife, Aasiya Hassan, may be 'honor killing'


“This was apparently a terroristic version of honor killing, a murder rooted in cultural notions about women’s subordination to men,” said Marcia Pappas, New York State president of the National Organization for Women.
.......
.... further in article
.......
Nadia Shahram, a matrimonial lawyer in Williamsville, said that some Muslim men consider divorce a dishonor on their family.

A teacher of family law and Islam at the University at Buffalo Law School, Shahram said that “fanatical” Muslims believe “honor killing” is justified for bringing dishonor on a family.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2009/02/17/2009-02-17_muslim_tv_mogul_muzzammil_hassans_allege.html


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Lawyer for Muslim TV exec accused of beheading wife in NY says culture played no role

"Culture, religion doesn't play a role," said defense attorney James Harrington, reacting to speculation that the crime may have been an "honor killing." Experts say such killings are still accepted among fanatical Muslim men, including in the couple's native Pakistan, who feel betrayed by their wives.

"It's not an issue in this case," said Harrington, who described the burly businessman as almost in shock.

"He has an almost blunted affect. He's having difficulty coping with this," the lawyer said.


http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/sns-ap-wife-beheaded,0,1204186.story


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Until it actually gets to court we'll never know and even then may not find out. However there are Imams who are speaking out against the whole thing from history of domestic violence to the killing.

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The Islamic Society of North America issued a statement of condolence to Buffalo's Muslim community and urged leaders to take a strong stand against domestic violence.

"Women who seek divorce from their spouses because of physical abuse should get full support from the community and should not be viewed as someone who has brought shame to herself or her family," the statement by Imam Mohamed Hagmagid Ali said.

(same link as the lawyer's statement)

If I left anyone thinking I understand or think it is ok to do as this man did...then please know that is not true. I find it horrific. I also know that true muslim religions do not believe this way (if it was indeed a muslim act). Men kill women daily here in our country due to temper tantrums and jealousy, fact, especially pregnant women.
Again....this is very personal in ther way he did it. It takes a lot to be up close and personal in that way. Kinda like women versus' men in killing. Women tend to be more personal when harming, where men are more apt to shoot.
This isn't really a religious issue...it is the bringing up, the belief, the way of being taught.
These poor women belonging to this group of people are in terror daily.

Kat

Here is the Wikipedia definition of Sharia Law.

Sharia (Arabic: '‎شريعة transliteration: Šarīʿah) is the body of Islamic religious law. The term means "way" or "path to the water source"; it is the legal framework within which the public and private aspects of life are regulated for those living in a legal system based on Islamic principles of jurisprudence and for Muslims living outside the domain. Sharia deals with many aspects of day-to-day life, including politics, economics, banking, business, contracts, family, sexuality, hygiene, and social issues.

Before the 19th century, legal theory was considered the domain of the traditional legal schools of thought. Most Sunni Muslims follow Hanafi, Hanbali, Maliki or Shafii, while most Shia Muslims, the Twelvers, follow the Jaafari school of thought.[1]

Islamic law is now the most widely used religious law, and one of the three most common legal systems of the world alongside common law and civil law.[2] During the Islamic Golden Age, classical Islamic law may have influenced the development of common law,[3] and also influenced the development of several civil law institutions.[4]

whether this nut case did it because of his religious views or just because he is a nut job....doesn't change what he did

There are psychos in all religious faith and those that don't believe in religion at all. there is good and bad everywhere. this guy was a psycho regardless