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"Some girls come to the crisis center over and over again," Hassan said. "I think there is a chance she will run away again. Now she knows what to do, and then she will not be trapped by the police. She will come directly to the crisis center."

Hassan, who is completing a doctoral studies on domestic violence in Pakistan, believes that women should be economically independent before they marry. "They should learn some skill like candle making or sewing—or get an education. Saira has [many] opportunities to do this in the crisis center. Now her future is in her parents' hands. They will try to marry her to her cousin or anyone else they find appropriate."

Hassan believes Saira's future is not bright if she stays in the village.

"In Pakistan, over 70 percent of married women have been beaten," Hassan said. "In the countryside, over 30 percent of women are beaten repeatedly, and another 30 percent are beaten off and on."

I never doubted I did the right thing in the police station, but the incident also made me realize that I come from a different culture. The concept of honor in this society is alien to places such as Norway and the United States. Even my Christian friends here accuse me of not understanding their culture.

Perhaps they are right. There are some things I do not understand. Maybe I don't want to.

Copyright © 2002 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Kristian Kahrs's home page offers more personal reflections on his work.

Kahrs's earlier articles for Christianity Today include:

On The Run from Police, Iranian Christian Survives Church Attack | Fleeing persecution with no passport, refugee witnesses last week's grenade murders in Pakistan. (Mar. 26, 2002)

Pakistan Grenade Attack Survivors Worship and Weep | On the Sunday after March 17 attack, church members regather in Islamabad. (Mar. 25, 2002)

Moonscape with Tents | Christian relief groups step up to help destitute Afghans in remote camps. (Mar. 1, 2002)

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April (Web-only) 2002, Vol. 46