The Jordanian government recently amended two bills to give women more rights; one granted women the right to file for divorce, and the other instituted severe penalties for “honor killings,” the barbaric murder of women killed by male relatives for bringing “dishonor” on the family.

Today the Jordanian parliament rejected both bills—because they contradict Islamic teachings.

Most of the 60 some speakers who took the floor Sunday spoke against both provisional bills.

Deputy Mahmoud Kharabsheh told The Associated Press that both temporary bills were “contradictory to our traditions and Islamic teachings.

“We rejected both legislation to protect the souls of our people, their homes and their lives. If it was up to me, women should remain at home to raise their children.” …

The amendment to the penal code was rejected twice in the previous parliament — in 1999 and 2000 — on grounds that a lenient punishment for male killers of female relatives deterred women from sin. Women died in “honor crimes” for having sex outside marriage or even after being raped.