A mother is expressing her sorrow following the tragic incident where her husband fatally drowned their daughter in a shallow lake in what is termed as an honor killing.
Sumaia al Najjar and her family sought refuge in the Netherlands in 2016 after fleeing Syria. However, their peaceful life came to a halt when al Najjar’s daughter, Ryan, was killed by her father, Khaled al Najjar, for allegedly embracing Western culture. Describing the devastating impact, al Najjar shared with the Daily Mail that her entire family has been shattered by the heinous act.
Ryan, aged 18, was discovered lifeless in a park pond in the Netherlands, with signs of restraint. Just a month after her birthday, she was found in this tragic state. Khaled has since escaped to Syria and is now residing with another woman. Despite being sentenced to 30 years in absentia, al Najjar is pleading for his extradition back to the Netherlands for justice. Ryan’s siblings, Muhanad and Muhamad, were also convicted for their involvement in the crime and received 20-year prison terms.
Although the family seemed well-integrated externally, al Najjar revealed that Ryan’s modern attire and conduct were sources of conflict. She disclosed that her husband sent incriminating messages from Ryan’s phone, attempting to implicate her in the murder. Al Najjar further detailed the abusive behavior of her husband, causing fear among the family members.
Describing Ryan as a devout girl who faced bullying for her religious attire, al Najjar mentioned that Ryan began rebelling around the age of 15 to conform to societal norms. The transition included changes in her appearance and social circle, which displeased Khaled.
One of Ryan’s sisters, Iman, also shared insights with the Daily Mail, depicting their father as a rigid and unjust figure who instilled fear in the household. Iman recounted instances of mistreatment and highlighted the tension created by their father’s domineering nature.
Al Najjar acknowledged the challenges of raising a conservative Muslim daughter like Ryan but believed in her daughter’s evolution over time. She emphasized holding her husband solely accountable for Ryan’s tragic demise.
Following the conviction, Khaled attempted to absolve his sons of involvement in Ryan’s murder through emails to local newspapers but evaded facing the consequences in Europe.
Evidence linked Khaled to the crime through DNA found under Ryan’s fingernails, implicating him in her death. The court determined that Ryan’s defiance of her family’s traditional beliefs led to her murder.
Al Najjar defended her sons, expressing disbelief in their direct involvement in Ryan’s death. She argued that while they were negligent in leaving Ryan alone with their father, they did not deserve severe punishment.
Expressing her anguish over the verdict, al Najjar criticized the decision to imprison her sons for their father’s actions, emphasizing the profound impact of Khaled’s actions on their family.
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