Slain Over Hijab? Father Allegedly Strangles Daughter Over Head Scarf

Dec. 12, 2007 — -- A 57-year-old Canadian man suspected of strangling his teenage daughter for not wearing her traditional Muslim head wear will appear in court later today for a bail hearing.

Authorities said cabdriver Muhammad Parvez admitting killing 16-year-old Agsa Parvez. The teenager died Tuesday in a Toronto suburb.

Agsa's older brother also will appear in court today because police said he obstructed their investigation.

The case is grabbing international attention because Agsa's friends believe her defiance and clash over Western culture with her father may have contributed to her death.

Agsa disagreed with her father about whether she should wear the traditional Muslim head scarf called a hijab.

When paramedics arrived at the Parvez home Monday, they discovered Agsa without a pulse and tried to resuscitate her after receiving an emergency phone call from a man who claimed to have killed his daughter, according to Reuters.

The girl was treated at two hospitals, but died from her injuries.

Some Muslims are asking people to reserve judgment and not sensationalize the issue, which may not have played a major role in the death.

"Keep in mind it may have been an issue, one of many," said Homa Arjoman, of Campaign Against Sharia Court in Canada. "If people are going to make this an issue about hijab it is potentially a stretch." Shariah is Islamic law.