Netherlands

Her name was Ryan. And she was an 18-year-old young woman with her own hopes and identity. Her murder in the Netherlands shocked the nation and sent ripples across Europe. Authorities say she was drowned by her Islamic extremist father and two adult brothers for embracing a lifestyle they considered “too Western.” The brutality of the act, its planning, and its motive make this one of the most devastating cases of honor killings in recent memory. A Crime That Horrified a Nation Ryan disappeared in May 2024 after leaving her home in Rotterdam. When she did not return, police began searching for her. Six days later, a passerby found her body in a swamp outside the city. Her hands were tied behind her back, her ankles taped, and her mouth gagged — unmistakable evidence of a deliberate killing. Investigators uncovered that her brothers, 23-year-old Mohamed Al Najjar and 25-year-old Muhanad Al Najjar, abducted her and drove her to a remote location. There, according to prosecutors, their father, 53-year-old Khaled Al Najjar, waited to carry out the killing he had planned. DNA evidence found under her fingernails and intercepted communications point to all three being involved, according to The New York Post. Why They Targeted Her Authorities believe the motive was the family’s rejection of Ryan’s growing independence. She used social media, spent time with friends, had a boyfriend, and chose not to wear a hijab — normal and legal choices for any young woman in the Netherlands. Yet prosecutors say her father and brothers viewed these decisions as defiance, shame on the family, and a threat to the strict control they tried to enforce at home. Experts note that this pattern aligns with honor-based violence, where daughters or sisters are targeted for not conforming to rigid expectations around modesty, obedience, and reputation. Even small signs of independence — modern clothing, friendships, or online activity — can trigger escalating tension in families that operate under these Islamic extremist control systems. More Stories Drowning in Bills? These Debt Solutions Could Be the Break You Need Out-of-Town Renters Are Driving Up Demand in These Five Cities Under Siege: My Family’s Fight to Save Our Nation – Book Review & Analysis Part of a Larger Pattern Ryan’s murder reflects a broader pattern seen worldwide. Honor-based violence has taken the lives of countless young women whose only “offense” was wanting freedom, education, social connections, or the ability to make their own choices. These crimes are driven by extremist mindsets that treat family “honor” as more important than a woman’s life. In these belief systems, autonomy is punished, independence is viewed as shameful, and control is enforced through fear and, in the worst cases, deadly violence. They would rather kill their own blood than allow a woman in the family who they see as defying their extreme beliefs. A Clear Clash With Western Values Islamic honor-based ideology — the belief that a woman can be punished or killed for how she lives — is fundamentally incompatible with Western society. Western nations are built on personal liberty, gender equality, and legal protection for every individual. Violence used to enforce obedience violates every one of these principles. Full stop. Public Outrage and Legal Consequences Dutch prosecutors have condemned the killing, calling Ryan’s father “cowardly” for fleeing to Syria. Her brothers face up to 20 years in prison each, while the father could receive a sentence of up to 25 years if convicted in absentia. The case generated widespread outrage. Many people expressed sorrow for Ryan’s lost future and anger that her independence was used as justification for violence. Why Society Must Pay Attention Honor-based violence thrives in silence. Young women often feel trapped between family expectations and the fear of retaliation. Without intervention and open discussion, honor killings will continue to happen. Ryan’s death forces society to confront the danger posed by extremist beliefs that try to control women’s choices. These beliefs cannot coexist with Western freedoms or human rights in America or other free societies. Ryan’s Story Must Lead to Action Ryan deserved the freedom to make her own decisions and live her own life. Her death highlights how urgent it is to protect young women from Islamic extremist control. Her story must push communities, schools, and authorities to identify warning signs and intervene early. This case is heartbreaking and infuriating. Where are the feminists now? While American women wear hijabs in ‘solidarity,’ women across the globe are being murdered for taking them off. Cut Through the Noise. Slice Through the Lies. 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