April 25 2011
When I first started travelling the Muslim world with my wife I decided to do my homework and read up about what it would be like to visit these countries. As I scanned the forums and websites for travel tips and useful information from people who had made the same journey in the past, I began to notice a recurring theme that alarmed me. Western women would often discuss the sexual harassment they received in Muslim countries and try to warn others on how to avoid it. At first I dismissed their views as the ranting of Islamophobic tourists who had preconceived notions that all Muslim men were rude and uncouth. But a little more research and discussion with Muslim sisters revealed that there was some basis to these views.
I was deeply upset that such behavior sometimes took place and had become so closely associated with some Muslim men. Here we are trying to argue about how Islam liberates women by valuing them for their piety and intellect, not their looks. Here we are trying to impress upon non-Muslims and skeptical Muslims about how leading an Islamic lifestyle means that the genders would treat each other with respect and dignity. Instead, these latter day Romeos are doing their own counter-da`wah reinforcing the view that every Muslim man sees women as potential harem inmates (!)
So, What Can Be The Reasons? Some excuses must be made for the cultural differences. Western tourists have this impression of Arab & Muslim men therefore even harmless actions are interpreted as having sexual undertones. Also, it is important to not forget that the tourists are an important source of income to these individuals and gaining their attention (and possibly even a little sympathy or affection) could mean the difference between making a profit or not.
A friendly and enthusiastic vendor or guide can quickly be seen as over-familiar and intimidating.
Another factor is that Western tourists often wear clothing that few Arab women would consider appropriate and once coupled with a relentless media diet placing Caucasian female beauty on a pedestal unattainable by local females, the mix is explosive. Still these excuses are clearly not acceptable to explain this behavior. Clearly the vast majority of men in the Arab & Muslim world do not behave this way; the problem is only with small minority. However, this small minority has for far too long been able to get away with shameless behavior that not only harasses women, but stains the reputation of their nations and their faith.
What is more worrying is that the harassment does not stop at tourists but becomes endemic and ingrained within society. One recent survey showed that 98% of foreign female tourists complained of some form of sexual harassment when visiting Egypt, but the rate was a quite-close 83% for local Egyptian women! The survey also indicated that 62% of Egyptian men admitted to harassing women at some point in their life. Let us say that the study is flawed and only 1/10th of that number actually did harass women – 6% is still far too high a number.
But, Respecting Women is…
We are a people who have been enjoined by our Prophet (peace be upon him):
“Do treat your women well and be kind to them, for they are your partners and committed helpers.”
We are a people who conquered entire nations for the honor and dignity of one lady being infringed. We are a people whose heroes like Caliph Umar ibn Abdul Aziz wrote to the Byzantine Emperor demanding that the criminals who sexually harassed a Muslim woman be brought to justice or “I will send an army whose beginning will reach you before the end of it leaves me.”
This time of change and rebirth in the Muslim world is as good as any to change the mentality of those who perpetrate these crimes and those of us who do nothing to stop it.
Whether it be through education, sermons, workshops, or physically preventing it with our own hands – it is time that the moral majority in the Muslim world stop turning a blind eye to the actions of the immoral minority in their sexual harassment of women.
It is not just the dignity and honor of the harassed women at stake, but ours.