Model Took Out Forced Marriage Order
A model that was found hanged in her home took out a forced marriage order against her family after she was found out they intended to force her into marriage.
Nadia Menaz was discovered at her home in May. The 24-year-old had gone through an Islamic wedding with her boyfriend; however it was not recognised under English law. However, her marriage was not approved by her family.
Friends claimed, in her final days, Ms Menaz had been suffering from depression, with self-inflicted wounds covering her. She eventually took out a court order to stop her mother and father and three siblings forcing her into another marriage. Five months later she was found dead at her home.
The inquest heard how she met 25-year-old Umar Rasool in 2010 and they began dating – initially keeping their relationship hidden from her parents – until they married in an Islamic ceremony in April 2011.
Last December 5 Mrs Menaz took out a ‘forced marriage protection order’ at the Family Court in Manchester against her father Sabir Hussain, 60, and her mother Ruksana Kousar, 55, and three of her seven siblings.
At the hearing Mr Hussain and Mrs Kousar denied attempting to force Mrs Menaz into marriage and initially claimed they were unaware of the forced marriage protection order.
But under questioning they admitted they were aware of the order – and then claimed her daughter had been murdered by a ‘third party’.
Coroner Simon Nelson said Mr Hussain had made it clear in a statement to police he had issues over her relationship with Mr Rasool.
In the weeks before her death Mrs Menaz underwent psychiatric treatment at Royal Oldham Hospital but was later discharged.
On the day of her death on May 1, she had an argument with Mr Rasool who then went to see his family and go to their local mosque.
She sent him a text saying she was going to hang herself and when he returned home at around 6.30pm he found his wife’s body.
The inquest will be concluded at a later date
