In recent times, Muslim women all over the world have raised their voices against the shackles of tradition and against the many religious restrictions their gender is subject to. Much has changed in recent times, however. Like women elsewhere, Muslim women are also rising up against subjugation, restriction and harassment. Several recent events indicate that significant change is on the anvil.
The ultra-conservative kingdom of Saudi Arabia only let women vote for the first time a few years ago. Until recently it was the only country in the world where women were not permitted to drive. In 2011, a campaign called the Women to Drive Movement and subsequent movements resulted in the driving ban finally being lifted. It may not seem like much to us, but for women in Saudi Arabia, this was a significant victory.
The Hijab is a headscarf meant to indicate modesty and religious adherence. In countries such as Iran, this is compulsory. Iran used to be a fairly progressive society before the 1979 revolution when Ayatollah Khomeini took over and imposed a severe, conservative form of Islam; including compulsory Hijab.
In December 2017, a young woman and mother of one called Vida Movahed took a public stand against the hijab in Tehran. She stood on a box, removed her hijab and waved it around on a stick. This resulted in a social media movement called #girls-enghelab-street. Movahed and many other women were arrested for their civil disobedience however they were also applauded and became the symbol for feminism in Iran.
As women fight against compulsory hijab, men are coming out in their support as well. The symbolic waving of hijab is seen among men as well.
Women are subject to sexual harassment at all crowded places – groping, pinching, touching; including religious places. This happens at Mecca, one of the most significant religious places in the world as well. Many are calling this the #MeToo moment at Mecca.
Countless females, some just children have experienced sexual harassment at religious places. Mona Eltahawy created the #MosqueMeToo hashtag to create awareness about sexual harassment and abuse during Hajj or Umrah or in other sacred spaces.
The hashtag struck a chord with women all over; all of whom came forward with their experiences. What is horrifying to so many women is the fact that a place which is supposed to be the most sacred and safe of places is a place where women are subjected abusive and predatory behaviour.
Some women shared experiences that they had hitherto kept to themselves because they were afraid of being blamed, being accused of having overactive imaginations or being disbelieved. Women sharing their stories gave courage and support to others who had suffered abuse.
This woman puts in a nutshell, why all the people who blame victims are wrong; why it is never what she is wearing, where she is and at what time that is responsible for sexual harassment. If women are abused and harassed, it is the abusers who are at fault, it is a culture of disrespect that is to blame. If #MosqueMeToo is trending, it is because of boys and men who have not been taught how to look at women with respect. It is because of males who have been brought up to believe that women are objects and not people.
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