Al Azhar Speaks Out Against Sexual Harassment in Egypt for the First Time!
By Salma Maher
Following the recent harassment incidents circulating social media, Al Azhar, the highest Sunni Muslim authority spoke out to clarify Islam’s take on this horrendous phenomena. Their statement was crystal clear about who’s to be blamed for all forms of harassment acts, and that would be the harasser, contrary to what 84% of Egyptian women and three-quarters of men believe.
According to Al Azhar, the acts of harassment are forbidden and in no way justifiable, it even went to the extent of describing it as a crime. It also addresses those who tend to blame the victim, usually referring to their choice of clothing, as a huge part of the problem.
Even more so, Al Azhar continued to shed light on how sexual harassment violates a female’s sense of security, dignity, and freedom stating “Harassment in all its forms, whether verbal, physical or with gestures, is in violation with the Islamic conduct, and is considered a sin.”
