Thirty-six honor crimes were reported in Lebanon between 1996 and 1998. Lebanon was the first Arab country to amend its legislation by canceling the exemption from punishment for perpetrators of honor killings. It also stipulated that both men and women who commit honor crimes be subject to the same punishment. Many honor crimes are unreported, or may be recorded as accidental deaths or suicides, noted lawyer Muna Zoughbaba of the Jordanian Women's Union. Sheikh Izzedin Al Khatib Al Tamimi, who advises Jordanian King Abdullah on Islamic affairs, said Islam forbids individuals from committing vigilante acts to punish adulterers.
Killers think their victims' blood is a medal representing their act of heroism or honor.