Harry Potter actress nearly killed by father and brother
By Alexandra Heilbron on July 2, 2010 | 17 Comments
Actress Afshan Azad, 22, who played Hogwarts student Padma Patil in three Harry Potter films (starting with The Goblet of Fire), was allegedly attacked by her father and brother at their home in Manchester, England on May 21st. Her father Abul Azad, 54, and brother Ashraf Azad, 28, were charged with threatening to kill her, and her brother is also charged with assault causing bodily harm. The reason for the violence was not given, but it brings to mind the murder of 16-year-old Aqsa Parvez of Mississauga, who was murdered by her Pakistani-born father, 57, and her 26-year-old brother in 2007 because she would not wear a hijab (scarf). Both received life sentences. Azad and her family are of Bangladeshi descent (Bangladesh was a part of Pakistan until 1971). The case was adjourned until later this month and Azad’s father and brother are currently out on bail. They are due to appear in court on July 12.
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almost unbelievable to see that Eastern savagery is a problem in England. Almost, but not quite.. How are the rest of us supposed to embrace cultural diversity when it includes this, the inability to embrace the laws, and basic human rights? Way to represent, Mr and Mr Azad, you are a disgrace to your people
Sad thing is PS, they would not be a disgrace to their people. if it was a law they were forcing upon her, they would have been seen as in the right.It’s sad that when in another country some find them self trapped and bound to the laws of their old or parents country.
i think that this is a disgusting way to treat your children. i wonder why ANY culture would allow someone to murder or harm their own children.
If these people want to punish their children in their own country they should not have moved to a country that does not and will not allow this behavior because their culture accepts this. All I can say is the father and brother should be sent back to their country where they will not be punished for their unspeakable acts. Can you believe this is the 21st century?
Its a shame that tribute has to write articles just based on assumptions. The girl was attacked because of her relationship with a Hindu man which does not relate to the hijab in any way. Get your facts straight
What are you talking about moon? What relationship with a Hindu man? Do you mean her father? If you read the news reports, she didn’t want to wear the hijab (their main reason for killing her) and she didn’t want to follow the other customs forced on her by her family’s religion. If there’s a comment you’d like to add (whether it’s based on fact or not and please, give us the link to any news story that mentions a Hindu boyfriend because I’ve never seen one), go ahead but try to do it with a grain of politeness. The internet is anonymous, but you know who you are and you have to live with that. There’s no reason to come on here and be a complete asshole.
source: http://edition.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/07/02/england.harry.potter.attack/?fbid=Wp0X0Naz77W
Maybe moon is thinking of a different religious killing that involved a boyfriend. There have been several lately. I remember hearing on the radio just about a month ago that Aqsa’s father and brother were sentenced to life. The cases are really similar. It was the brother who actually murdered her — in the Harry Potter case, it was the brother who attacked her. The fathers are both in their 50s; the brothers in their 20s. They want to dictate how their female family members live their lives, meaning, they don’t have friends outside of their religion (even female friends), they wear a scarf, they obey the males in the family. But these people should never have come to a democracy if that’s the case. Women have rights here, I bet these guys were pretty angry when they found that out. Killing female family members for so-called “honor” is not allowed in Canada. I hope you never go free. To kill a young, helpless girl who should have be able to trust you is a despicable crime and you are filthy thugs.
This isn’t about the motive behind the attack, it is an attack and two people were charged. Now that said, with little more information people speculate on why a Father and Brother no-less would try to kill their daughter/sister? An act that seems unconscionable by many people clearly is not in this family. The only evidence to help speculate on motive is the family background �� yes this is profiling and no it��s not a dirty word. We must stop this overly politically correct mindset that clouds simple facts and observations. Anecdotal evidence would suggest several motives, some of which others have speculated on, and some of these suggested motives that are culturally linked. This proves nothing, but does lift the cover, if only by a bit, on potentially a growing problem with mixed cultural societies. In this particular case the victim was not killed and the two men charged will likely be sentenced. If they are not, that speaks to the real problem here.
Annie, you have the 2 stories mixed up.
The motive behind the harry potter girl is unknown. Read the story again, they are relating the harry potter girl to a similar situation in Mississauga.
Moon may be a friend or family member of the Harry Potter girl.
You know what, we all come from different cultures and religions… sure England is a free democratic country where these kind of acts are not permitted. But we have to respect each others religions and ways too… no matter the injustice… no matter the reason. I’m not a muslim so I don’t support these type of activities and under normal circumstances, I’m pretty sure the father and brother might not have done it. Normal circumstances meaning if they were cool headed. And, I’m pretty sure all of you… if you are mad… do the stupidest things like break furniture, plates, TVs…. etc.
Don’t brush off the “honor” system…. “honor” is a big thing in these societies…. being dishonored is not only about being ridiculed…. its about being not allowed certain priviledges, not allowed into certain societies, being shunned forever almost…. and whats worse is that its not just for one generation, its about being ridiculed, shunned, etc. for several generations thereafter (forever almost – if you’re dishonored, your kid’s kid will feel it).
Annie with all due respect but if you would have had read the article the title is “Harry Potter actress nearly killed by father and brother” what i was commenting on is the fact that tribute is making assumptions and drawing conclusions from something that draws no relation. As for my source it was from CNN i did post it but tribute has a habit of deleting things that they do not approve off
London, England (CNN) — The father and brother of a Harry Potter actress will appear in court later this month in Manchester, England, on charges of threatening to kill the young star, prosecutors said Friday.
Abdul Azad, 54, and his son Ashraf, 28, are accused of attacking actress Afshan Azad earlier this month because of her relationship with a Hindu man, a spokesman for the Crown Prosecution Service said. The family is Muslim.
The father and brother appeared at Manchester Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday and were released on conditional bail, said the spokesman, who could not be named in line with policy.
Bail conditions include a curfew and ban on traveling to London, the Manchester Evening News reported.
Afshan Azad, reported to be 22, has appeared in four Harry Potter films as Padma Patil, a classmate of the boy wizard and twin sister of Parvati Patil.
The alleged attack happened May 21. The father and brother are charged with threatening to kill the actress, and her brother is also charged with assault, the prosecutors’ spokesman said.
Afshan Azad had never acted before she was cast in the movies, and admitted she only went to the auditions with her friends “for a bit of fun,” the Manchester Evening News reported.
Helen on July 3, 2010 12:24 AM i cant believe in the “21st century” anyone would feel people that try to murder their own child/sibling should be sent back to their own country so they dont have to endure the consequences of their own actions.
moon – thanks for posting that. i wonder who will be able to save or help her once they get out of prison, or if they get no time at all?
The sad thing here is that it mentions no where about any protection put in place for the girl. The father and brother were let out on bail! What is to stop them from attacking her again. The terms of the bail include a curfew and a ban on travelling…what about a restraining order?!!
Hey, Abul Azad and Ashraf Azad! News bulletin: Why’d you BOTHER living in England if you’re gonna stick to your cultural SAVAGERY?! I LOATHE any culture or country that promotes violence against women! We live in 2010—check the date!!! It’s DISGUSTING behavior! Now the most PRESSING question is…Who’s going to protect Afshan Azad now that her two would be murderers are out on bail?!
>_<
Whydo you insinuate that these individuals represent their WHOLE country or culture? That’s ignorant….
Moon, you attacked Tribute because they said the Harry Potter girl was attacked because she wouldn’t wear a hijab? That’s NOT what the article says, if you took time to read it: “16-year-old Aqsa Parvez of Mississauga, who was murdered by her Pakistani-born father, 57, and her 26-year-old brother in 2007 because she would not wear a hijab (scarf).”
That’s NOT the Harry Potter girl, who did in fact get attacked because of a relationship. It’s the one murdered in Mississsauga. Before you accuse Tribute of lazy reporting, why don’t you try not being a lazy reader?