OSHAWA, Canada — A quiet neighborhood in Oshawa was shaken on Sunday, November 17, 2024, when 48-year-old Parween Adel was fatally stabbed in her home. Her husband, Hakim Adel, 41, has been charged with second-degree murder. This marks the fourth intimate partner-related homicide in Durham Region this year.
Police responded to the couple’s residence on Eulalie Avenue after a 911 call just after midnight. Officers found Parween with traumatic injuries. Despite emergency efforts and transport to a Toronto-area trauma center, she was pronounced dead. Hakim was arrested at the scene without resistance. Their 5-year-old twin daughters and an elderly family member were in the home during the incident but were unharmed.
Neighbors described the family as active in the community but revealed a history of tension. Aaren Gillis, a neighbor, said Parween had expressed plans to leave her husband and had been offered temporary refuge by neighbors. Another neighbor, Ron Mohr, recalled seeing emergency responders attempting to resuscitate Parween and expressed disbelief, describing Hakim as “quiet and reserved.”
A source close to the family, speaking to Khaama Press anonymously, shared that the couple had a prolonged history of conflict. The source mentioned that Hakim had been pressuring to sell their paid-off home, possibly due to financial difficulties. However, the exact reasons remain unclear. Parween opposed the sale, which added further strain to their already troubled relationship.
Several posts on Hakim’s Facebook profile reference marital conflicts, many focusing on the dynamics between husbands and wives. In one video, a Sunni Muslim scholar discusses the importance of women being obedient to their husbands and suggests that such behavior would earn them divine favor.
The tragedy has spurred renewed calls to combat domestic violence, particularly during Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) Awareness Month. Speaking to Khaama Press, Mezhgan Morady, an Afghan businesswoman and advocate, expressed her deep sorrow and anger over the incident, stating:
“A woman is a mother, sister, daughter, wife, and a creation of God, the light of every home, and half of society. Why do some men subject them to injustice, violence, and even honor killings? Let us unite to reduce family violence, even if eliminating it entirely seems impossible.”
She added a heartfelt plea:
“Let’s all hold hands in solidarity and break the cycle of domestic violence. Please spread awareness about intimate partner violence. It’s truly heartbreaking.”
In the wake of the tragedy, a GoFundMe campaign titled “Support for Parween’s Daughters: A Future Beyond Tragedy” has raised over 68,000 CAD to support the young twins left without parents.
This tragic incident underscores a concerning trend in Canada. In 2023, police-reported family violence increased by 3%, with 139,020 victims, while intimate partner violence rose by 1%, totaling 123,319 victims. Notably, the rate of family violence against children and youth reached its highest recorded level, with 362 victims per 100,000 population. These statistics highlight the urgent need for enhanced support systems and preventive measures to address and mitigate domestic violence across the country.
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