Do you think sexual harassment is a problem on the streets of Cairo? Do you believe there is more sexual harassment on streets in American cities or Egyptian cities?
I am an Egyptian man who has lived in Europe for nearly 50 years. In 1998 my 16-year old daughter wanted to go to Egypt for the summer holidays. I advised her to dress very conservatively, and amazingly, she followed my advice. My wife, my daughter and I went to Egypt, and we came back with mixed feelings. The women had enjoyed their vacation in most ways, but I had not. I was shocked by the way they had been treated in the streets of Cairo. Nothing dangerous happened, but the rude remarks, the groping and the lewd looks were disturbing. Perhaps even worse was the peasant woman who refused to sit next to my daughter in a minibus. A polite man offered to do so instead. I love my country of birth, but I have stopped going there for my pleasure.
Sami, thank you so much for sharing that story. I wonder what can be done about a situation like that and what was brought Egypt to that place?
I'm a European woman, and my friend (also a westerner) had a similar experience (to your wife and daughter) in Morocco. But, on the flip side, I have other friends who went to other Islamic countries, like Oman and Yemen, and said they were harassed less there than in some European countries and treated with a lot of hospitality and kindness. So, I guess it all depends. My only experience in Islamic cities has been Dubai and Kuala Lumpur and the men in both these places were very gracious and respectful.
As for sexual harassment in America - I guess it depends on a persons definition of 'harassment', and I think the reason we often find other cultures 'more' sexist is that they are sexist in a way we are not used to. I'm not from America (I'm from New Zealand) but I spent some time there, and the men there certainly whistle/ make comments, and there were a few occasions when it was really disgusting. This was all in Los Angeles, and the USA is really regional so it's hard to make sweeping generalizations.
I have heard from many people that use of Western pornography is common among Egyptian men and that many are addicted. Is this true? Might this contribute to an impression that Western women are "easy" and have casual sex often? Do most Egyptian men believe that Western women are "easy"? I can imagine if the only exposure I had to Western women was the world of internet porn, it would be hard to believe that Western women are not wildly, wantonly sexual. I have noticed a difference in sexual harassment in Egypt compared to Brazil and Mexico, in Brazil and Mexico sexual harassment seemed to express an actual sexual desire for the victim and even an attempt at seduction and charm (even with a sliver of hope of conquest), but in Egypt the harassment does not feel like there is real sexual desire, it seems more like disgust and hateful abuse of the woman without genuine sexual attraction, why is this?
hi every one,this my frist charing in in this site, about this subject i know realy that sexual harassment is not aproblem in cairo ,becuase iam from almansoura but my work in cairo and i feel with sicurty all time , and i can make shoping and go apark or any place with my self without any sexual harassment problem,but i think in cairo may be sexual harassment is aproblem when the girl's behaviar is wrong like her apperance or talking method or when she go out in late time at night,when this things happend may be there is aproblem , but in america i dont no acutualy is this aproblem or no < but i have athinking that may be there is a sexual haarassment problem in america from media and films, but i dont know if this right or no. thank you for you and i hope iam right.
I think that sexual harassment in Egypt is usually a bad alien to the Egyptian people They are usually contrary to religion and Islam, ethics and traditions of the Egyptians And getting the habit by the dimension of religion, and by tradition of Western culture and moral corruption of the West and analyze the values in Western societies, including America alyamany alfakharany
i think sexual harassment is not a problem on the streets of Cairo> and i believe there is more sexual harassment on streets in American cities not in Egyptian cities. sexual harassment on streets in egypt we learn it from the weast sexual harassment on streets or any place is forbidden in islam so that muslim must be respect every body
It follows the teachings of Islam Seen not only in the interest of women
Sexual harassment starts from the vision, if men follow the teachings of the Koran, is caught in this terrible crime the name of allah 30. Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty: that will make for greater purity for them: And Allah is well acquainted with all that they do.
And women that they follow the teachings of the Quran, so as not to arouse men 31. And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands, their fathers, their husband's fathers, their sons, their husbands' sons, their brothers or their brothers' sons, or their sisters' sons, or their women, or the slaves whom their right hands possess, or male servants free of physical needs, or small children who have no sense of the shame of sex; and that they should not strike their feet in order to draw attention to their hidden ornaments. And O ye Believers! turn ye all together towards Allah, that ye may attain Bliss Surah 24. Light
I think that the reason of sexual harassment in the streets of Egypt is because of some of the clothes worn by some of girls, but this is not at all the streets of Egypt, but there are some areas where there no sexual harassment of girls, and my point of view I think the problem is not in the areas or the streets, but the problem in the culture of people and their way of thinking and belief in personal freedom.
I puzzled how to begin by: answer these various questions at the first? Or by comment on the words of Sami and ben anyway i will begin by answer these questions. I would like to know that my work in Cairo and i stay with my family in Banha city. My Staying away from my work requires a variety of transport. Sometime i ride a taxi, a microbus, a minibus and sometimes a bus. And i stay in Banha , that mean i move a lot in it in addition my visits to many places in Egypt. Therefore I would like to make sure that sexual harassment cases are very few in Cairo and Egyptian cities. So sexual harassment is not a problem on the streets of Cairo.
First: sexual harassment in Egypt I said that sexual harassment in Egypt already but the truth if you look at the cases of harassment and to the population of the Egyptian people you will know that a few cases. But do you know why there is sexual harassment in Egypt i will tell you. 1 - Because we became away from the teachings of Islam. Did you know that Islam prohibits men looking at women with desire As well as prohibits women from looking at men with desire and Allah said that in the Holy Quran(Surat:Alnoor)(verses:30،31) In addition Islam ordered women to not wearing short clothes and tight clothes. 2 -Sexual harassment in Egypt because opening with west and globalization. our Young people - unfortunately - are interested in the West, therefore, our youngs doing as them in everything,and that leading indirectly to sexual harassment. 3 - Because we removed the traditions and values of our country. 4 - Because of unemployment and poor economic situation.
Sexual harassment in America Unfortunately I did not go to America, but I knew information when i asked my Egyptian friends who went to America and lived there for years In addition i knew from the net. I knewed that sexual harassment in the United States over Egypt. Much of this from my point of view because of the freedom of excessive in America. Knowing any countries is more than the other in sexual harassment Egypt or America not more important from my point of view. But more importantly knowledge of who are attackers and who are the victims in Egypt and in America. I will explain this difference later. Thank you.
I came back to complete my opinion and my view. First: who attacks in Egypt and America. In Egypt all cases of harassment has done by young people and these young people often are without a job,values and they are-may be-criminals. We have not heard that in Egypt there is a man of the people of the Islamic religion did such as these dirty crimes. In America - unfortunately - may be do these ugly acts men of the Christian religion. I rode that on the net when Papa Benedict went to the United States in April 2008 and said in his speech "I feel the shame, because sexual harassment scandals in the churches of America"
Second: victims of sexual harassment in Egypt and America. We all agree that this action with any one is a dirty crime. The victims of sexual harassment in Egypt are women only and these women wear often short skirts and narrow cloths. Victims of sexual harassment in America - Unfortunately - may be women and may be children. Do you imagine this child weak When he exposed to sexual harassment. I think that the tendency for children does not agree with human nature, because natural that the man tend to the woman and the woman tend to the man. Do you understand me?!
Here is a BBC article about Sexual Harassment in Egypt
ReplyDeleteI am an Egyptian man who has lived in Europe for nearly 50 years. In 1998 my 16-year old daughter wanted to go to Egypt for the summer holidays. I advised her to dress very conservatively, and amazingly, she followed my advice. My wife, my daughter and I went to Egypt, and we came back with mixed feelings. The women had enjoyed their vacation in most ways, but I had not. I was shocked by the way they had been treated in the streets of Cairo. Nothing dangerous happened, but the rude remarks, the groping and the lewd looks were disturbing. Perhaps even worse was the peasant woman who refused to sit next to my daughter in a minibus. A polite man offered to do so instead. I love my country of birth, but I have stopped going there for my pleasure.
ReplyDeleteSami
Sami, thank you so much for sharing that story. I wonder what can be done about a situation like that and what was brought Egypt to that place?
ReplyDeleteI'm a European woman, and my friend (also a westerner) had a similar experience (to your wife and daughter) in Morocco. But, on the flip side, I have other friends who went to other Islamic countries, like Oman and Yemen, and said they were harassed less there than in some European countries and treated with a lot of hospitality and kindness. So, I guess it all depends. My only experience in Islamic cities has been Dubai and Kuala Lumpur and the men in both these places were very gracious and respectful.
As for sexual harassment in America - I guess it depends on a persons definition of 'harassment', and I think the reason we often find other cultures 'more' sexist is that they are sexist in a way we are not used to. I'm not from America (I'm from New Zealand) but I spent some time there, and the men there certainly whistle/ make comments, and there were a few occasions when it was really disgusting. This was all in Los Angeles, and the USA is really regional so it's hard to make sweeping generalizations.
I have heard from many people that use of Western pornography is common among Egyptian men and that many are addicted. Is this true? Might this contribute to an impression that Western women are "easy" and have casual sex often?
ReplyDeleteDo most Egyptian men believe that Western women are "easy"? I can imagine if the only exposure I had to Western women was the world of internet porn, it would be hard to believe that Western women are not wildly, wantonly sexual. I have noticed a difference in sexual harassment in Egypt compared to Brazil and Mexico, in Brazil and Mexico sexual harassment seemed to express an actual sexual desire for the victim and even an attempt at seduction and charm (even with a sliver of hope of conquest), but in Egypt the harassment does not feel like there is real sexual desire, it seems more like disgust and hateful abuse of the woman without genuine sexual attraction, why is this?
hi every one,this my frist charing in in this site, about this subject i know realy that sexual harassment is not aproblem in cairo ,becuase iam from almansoura but my work in cairo and i feel with sicurty all time , and i can make shoping and go apark or any place with my self without any sexual harassment problem,but i think in cairo may be sexual harassment is aproblem when the girl's behaviar is wrong like her apperance or talking method or when she go out in late time at night,when this things happend may be there is aproblem , but in america i dont no acutualy is this aproblem or no < but i have athinking that may be there is a sexual haarassment problem in america from media and films, but i dont know if this right or no. thank you for you and i hope iam right.
ReplyDeleteI think that sexual harassment in Egypt is usually a bad alien to the Egyptian people
ReplyDeleteThey are usually contrary to religion and Islam, ethics and traditions of the Egyptians
And getting the habit by the dimension of religion, and by tradition of Western culture and moral corruption of the West and analyze the values in Western societies, including America
alyamany alfakharany
abd elmohsen :
ReplyDeleteWell in fact we are facing a big problem we hope to end so as not to find some annoyances and all live in peace and security
i think sexual harassment is not a problem on the streets of Cairo>
ReplyDeleteand i believe there is more sexual harassment on streets in American cities not in Egyptian cities.
sexual harassment on streets in egypt we learn it from the weast
sexual harassment on streets or any place is forbidden in islam
so that muslim must be respect every body
It follows the teachings of Islam
Seen not only in the interest of women
Sexual harassment starts from the vision, if men follow the teachings of the Koran, is caught in this terrible crime
ReplyDeletethe name of allah
30. Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty: that will make for greater purity for them: And Allah is well acquainted with all that they do.
Surah 24. Light
And women that they follow the teachings of the Quran, so as not to arouse men
ReplyDelete31. And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands, their fathers, their husband's fathers, their sons, their husbands' sons, their brothers or their brothers' sons, or their sisters' sons, or their women, or the slaves whom their right hands possess, or male servants free of physical needs, or small children who have no sense of the shame of sex; and that they should not strike their feet in order to draw attention to their hidden ornaments. And O ye Believers! turn ye all together towards Allah, that ye may attain Bliss
Surah 24. Light
I think that the reason of sexual harassment in the streets of Egypt is because of some of the clothes worn by some of girls, but this is not at all the streets of Egypt, but there are some areas where there no sexual harassment of girls, and my point of view I think the problem is not in the areas or the streets, but the problem in the culture of people and their way of thinking and belief in personal freedom.
ReplyDeleteI puzzled how to begin by:
ReplyDeleteanswer these various questions at the first? Or by comment on the words of Sami and ben anyway i will begin by answer these questions.
I would like to know that my work in Cairo and i stay with my family in Banha city.
My Staying away from my work requires
a variety of transport.
Sometime i ride a taxi, a microbus, a minibus and sometimes a bus.
And i stay in Banha , that mean i move a lot in it in addition my visits to many places in Egypt.
Therefore I would like to make sure that sexual harassment cases are very few in Cairo and Egyptian cities.
So sexual harassment is not a problem on the streets of Cairo.
First: sexual harassment in Egypt
ReplyDeleteI said that sexual harassment in Egypt already but the truth if you look at the cases of harassment and to the population of the Egyptian people you will know that a few cases.
But do you know why there is sexual harassment in Egypt i will tell you.
1 - Because we became away from the teachings of Islam.
Did you know that Islam prohibits men looking at women with desire As well as prohibits women from looking at men with desire and Allah said that in the Holy Quran(Surat:Alnoor)(verses:30،31)
In addition Islam ordered women to not wearing short clothes and tight clothes.
2 -Sexual harassment in Egypt because opening with west and globalization.
our Young people - unfortunately - are interested in the West, therefore, our youngs doing as them in everything,and that leading indirectly to sexual harassment.
3 - Because we removed the traditions and values of our country.
4 - Because of unemployment and poor economic situation.
Sexual harassment in America
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately I did not go to America, but I knew information when i asked my Egyptian friends who went to America and lived there for years In addition i knew from the net.
I knewed that sexual harassment in the United States over Egypt.
Much of this from my point of view because of the freedom of excessive in America.
Knowing any countries is more than the other in sexual harassment Egypt or America not more important from my point of view.
But more importantly knowledge of who are attackers and who are the victims in Egypt and in America.
I will explain this difference later.
Thank you.
I came back to complete my opinion and my view.
ReplyDeleteFirst: who attacks in Egypt and America.
In Egypt all cases of harassment has done by young people and these young people often are without a job,values and they are-may be-criminals.
We have not heard that in Egypt there is a man of the people of the Islamic religion did such as these dirty crimes.
In America - unfortunately - may be do these ugly acts men of the Christian religion.
I rode that on the net when Papa Benedict went to the United States in April 2008 and said in his speech "I feel the shame, because sexual harassment scandals in the churches of America"
Second: victims of sexual harassment in Egypt and America.
ReplyDeleteWe all agree that this action with any one is a dirty crime.
The victims of sexual harassment in Egypt are women only and these women wear often short skirts and narrow cloths.
Victims of sexual harassment in America - Unfortunately - may be women and may be children.
Do you imagine this child weak When he exposed to sexual harassment.
I think that the tendency for children does not agree with human nature, because natural that the man tend to the woman and the woman tend to the man.
Do you understand me?!