#MosqueMeToo is trending on Twitter and we’ll tell you why.
Earlier, a facebook user from Pakistan took to Facebook to open up about an incident and how it marred her entire experience of going to the Kaaba
In an article by Stepfeed, Sabica highlighted her ordeal. It happened when she was performing Tawaaf around the Kaaba. Someone put a hand on her waist and because she was not expecting anything like that to happen, she told herself that it was a mistake and moved ahead. It wasn’t until it happened again that she realized that it was entirely on purpose. It did not matter that tawaaf was being performed, and the guy kept on doing it again. She talks about how this incident overshadows the Hajj because she no longer felt safe.
A very important thing that Sabica highlighted was that she was afraid to share her experience because it would hurt the religious sentiments of people. However, it is important to talk about this because people should know that women are not safe anywhere, not even the most holy place considered by Muslims.
A lot of women opened up about their experiences as a result. It was revealed how common it is to get harassed during such pilgrimages
Women are now using the hashtag #MosqueMeToo to highlight how common it is for them to get harassed at places of worship
Okey I performed hajj in the 2015 with my parents, it was after the fajr jama’at that this happened to me in our Prophet’s mosque in Medina, I was just getting out of the haram(women section) when I felt someone touch me *#MosqueMeToo
— ? Asمa (@thatlonepilgrim) February 13, 2018
#MosqueMeToo I was 17 when a man kept touching my back during tawaf. I thought it was a mistake at first but when I looked to see I knew it was not a mistake. Never went again for umra even when my family kept insisting me to go again to that Holy place. This is the first time –
— Aisha Chauhan (@AishaChauhan11) February 14, 2018
I was physically and mentally abused for saying no to my Quran teachers. #MosqueMeToo
— Khadija Omar (@KittyKhadz) February 9, 2018
This happened to me when I was 10 in Makkah.A man grabbed me by the arm in a shop while my mum was browsing. When I went back, I was 23 and I was groped.I blamed myself because I wasnt dressed in black with my face covered.This hash tag makes me feel better.Thank you #MosqueMeToo
— Sabrina (@SabrinaStrife) February 13, 2018
This hashtag was started by Mona Eltahawy, who is a feminist author and public speaker
Thank you fellow Muslim women who have shared their stories of sexual harassment and assault at Haj – those of us who can speak, must: Muslim women rally round #MosqueMeToo – @Faranak_amidi https://t.co/M0zSgUZAsE
— Mona Eltahawy (@monaeltahawy) February 10, 2018
Women from across the world are using the hashtag to highlight their stories
#MosqueMeToo I was sexually harassed in Umrah during Tawaf.I thought it was accidental but he kept groping me. I mean if men can’t discipline themselves even in the HOLIEST place on earth then I’ve truly lost hope in men to ever stop harassing us. We just want to be safe.
— مادري (@SherlockCloset) February 9, 2018
One day, somebody touched my bumps and squeezed. I was shocked. I saw the guy behind me and he pretended doing nothing and moved. I was shocked that what I did just silently cry. It happened in Mecca. #MosqueMeToo
— Anggi Lagorio (@AnggiAngguni) February 6, 2018
Had to stop going for Taraweeh and Qiyam one Ramadan because of some gentlemen. Stayed mum because I thought no one'd believe me, or I'd be accused of having an overactive imagination. #MosqueMeToo is our skeleton in the closet.
— Kali (@maimoonarahman) February 6, 2018
Men are also joining in the conversation and opening up about their own experiences
Of course, there is expression of shock at the revelation of such incidents being so common in places of worship where, one assumes, everyone is going to feel safe.
Muslim women’s voices are not being given their due & the #MosqueMeToo convo is a critical step to change that.
Muslim male leadership must own up to this abuse & implement reforms to prevent future abuse.
Enough is enough.?
— Qasim Rashid, Esq. (@MuslimIQ) February 10, 2018
Each time my mom and her sisters went to Hajj, they were groped—disgusting ppl w/no morals/“deen”; toxic patriarchy; keep doing what you’re doing, Mona. #MosqueMeToo
— Hassan Saleh (@hass_saleh) February 8, 2018
I was 10 years old and I thought my sister was gripping my hips as not to lose me in the huge crowd after Jumaa prayer. But my sister was next to me and those turned out to not be my sister’s hands.
He didn’t move until she elbowed him away.
— K R (@NewtmasGrape) February 9, 2018
The only way we can overcome harassment is identifying the problem and then go for solution and this only possible if we accept what really is happening with women out there.More power to u & others for raising this issue & creating awareness. #MosqueMeToo
— Farooq Saeed (@papadragon2645) February 15, 2018
Those with claims that this is an agenda against the religion need to understand that such problems do exist
Instead of ignoring them or labelling them as propaganda, we need to accept them and address them. The answer does not lie in segregation.
People are actually suggesting that men and women should be split in Mecca? How about the Muslim community should start addressing sexual assault and stop making it such a taboo topic & start teaching men to keep their hands & whatever else to themselves? #MosqueMeToo
— fatimah (@fatimahhh17) February 10, 2018
This will not erase the mentality that pushes people to commit such acts. People should be able to control themselves in places that are not segregated. The entire world cannot be segregated because some individuals have not learnt how to overcome their animalistic desires.
Let’s continue to speak up and keep the conversation going.
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