A history of abuse preceded Orchard Park beheading of Aasiya Hassan.

Byline: ANI

Buffalo (New York, US), Feb.23 (ANI): Aasiya Hassan endured years of violence and controlling behavior from her husband while keeping up the facade of a stable marriage

According to the Boston Globe, in the public eye, they were a dynamic couple, building their dream of a Muslim-lifestyle TV channel in the United States.ut police reports compiled for much of their marriage tell another story: Their home life was a nightmare. Her ambitious but troubled husband repeatedly subjected Aasiya to controlling and sometimes violent acts.

To protect herself, she went to the police in two states. Yet for years, she stopped short of pressing charges - thus preserving Muzzammil's reputation and the venture they built together.

On February 6, she filed for divorce and obtained an order of protection, barring him from their home in Orchard Park. A week later, she lay dead in their television offices - stabbed and decapitated. Muzzammil was charged with her murder.

"I think of Aasiya as a martyr. She has given her life to protect the image of American Muslims. And as an American Muslim community, we owe it to her not to let this happen again," said Faizan Haq, a local professor who helped launch Bridges TV, the station in Orchard Park that the Hassans started in 2004.

The Hassans were well-known to local police, both in Orchard Park and Texas, where Muzzammil has family.

Police were called to their Orchard Park home more than a dozen times for domestic issues dating back two years.

And in 2006, Aasiya told police that the abuse had been going on "for about the last six years."

The abuse, according to police reports, ranged from restrictive control to outbursts of violence, including a black eye and fat lip.

At various times, Aasiya accused her husband of physically preventing her from calling the police, abandoning her vehicle in Clarence so she couldn't flee and pouring water on her to keep her from sleeping.

Police believe they have enough evidence. They say that, with his money, family and entrepreneurial legacy at risk, Muzzammil destroyed both their lives-and betrayed legions of local and national supporters who believed in a station that could heal cultural divisions in post-9/11 America.

A nationwide debate has begun among Muslim leaders and women's advocates about what role religion and culture may have played in this awful killing.

That debate continues. (ANI)

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