Near Buffalo, a Muslim man, Muzzammil Hassan, reportedly murdered his wife Aasiya by beheading, a custom associated with his religion. Curiously, he was involved in an Islamic television enterprise (Bridges TV) to "portray Muslims in a more positive light."

Orchard Park police are investigating a particularly gruesome killing, the beheading of a woman, after her husband — an influential member of the local Muslim community — reported her death to police Thursday.

Police identified the victim as Aasiya Z. Hassan, 37. Detectives have charged her husband, Muzzammil Hassan, 44, with second-degree murder.

"He came to the police station at 6:20 p.m. [Thursday] and told us that she was dead," Orchard Park Police Chief Andrew Benz said late this morning.

Muzzammil Hassan told police that his wife was at his business, Bridges TV, on Thorn Avenue in the village. Officers went to that location and discovered her body.

Muzzammil Hassan is the founder and chief executive officer of Bridges TV, which he launched in 2004, amid hopes that it would help portray Muslims in a more positive light. [...]

Authorities say Aasiya Hassan recently had filed for divorce from her husband. [Prominent Orchard Park man charged with beheading his wife, Buffalo News, Feb 13, 2009]

The Voice of America had a puff piece about the accused headchopper in 2004: Muslims in America Reach Out.

Muzzammil Hassan came to America from Pakistan 25 years ago. He became a successful banker in Buffalo, New York, near the famed Niagara Falls.

While he and his wife were happy to be in the United States, they were upset by the negative perceptions of Muslims, and particularly how this perception might affect their children.

That is how they came up with the idea of Bridges TV.  Mr. Hassan's wife challenged him to start it.

Isn't that a nice story? The ending didn't go so well for Aasiya Hassan, however.

Are we diverse enough yet?