Fanatics Accuse Dar Al-Ifta’ of Atheism!

This title is not a thumbnail, it is not a tale, and it’s not an extreme jest we created: this is, sadly, what society has been actually up to.

With the rising of the anti-harassment movement in Egypt and the escalating grievances coming from rape and sexual abuse victims, we are witnessing radical changes in the Egyptian scene: the good, the bad, and the sick joke!

The bad news always come within those who blame victims, try to delay and hinder the legal actions taken, or even support the rapist by appealing that “his life would be ruined.”

The good news are how social media and the Egyptian TV are using their platform to support women, raising consciousness against assault, claiming women’s right of justice, and demanding life-time sentences for rapists. As a result, many women reached out asking for help, some women started to tell their hidden stories as a way to empower each others, and even some men used their voice to represent and advocate other females who are affected by rape or sexual harassment.

One of the spectacular outcomes of this uprising movement is when Dar Al-Ifta’ has used their platform and position alongside with their elucidation of Islam’s instructions; to declare their support for the victims and the abused women, also to illustrate their refusal to any sort of victim blaming or shaming (blaming the victim for existing in a certain place or for dressing a certain way, etc.) Referring to wide range of hate and accusations that victims may receive from other people.

The sick joke is, fanatics started accusing Dar Al-ifta’ of ATHIESM! People from many backgrounds, and religions, started accusing the organization of spreading sin, and for encouraging debauchery, vice, and corruption. Because, obviously, “if a woman dresses less modest, she deserves to be raped.” The more agitating is that this is not the first time we witness such reaction from females, males, Muslims, and Christians who start accusing religious authorities of atheism and incredulity for opposing hate speech, supporting individuals, or showing tolerance.

Dar Al-Ifta’s post mainly covered a Hadith and its interpretation of how justifying sexual assault by women’s clothes is not ethical, and how sexual harassment is only the perpetrator fault; since it is his own responsibility to maintain and repress his desires. The comments varied from people who accuse women’s way of dressing to be “irritating and a very valid reason for sexual harassment” to men who justify to themselves the way they lack control over their sexual desires “I can hardly get my eyes off a girl who dresses immodestly, and I’d wish to stare, the same way any man would do, but I fight against it sometimes. However, it is extremely, extremely, extremely hard.” Some women also contributed to the diatribe by calling Dar Al-Ifta’ “Godless, feminist, pimps.”

What added fuel to the fire is the emergence of few “priests” who support and reinforce hate-speech, women objectifying (comparing women to cars in particular), and misapplication of religion into what is known as popular religiosity: when religious interpretations are mixed with old traditions and customs, that can be extremely corrupted and unjust, to create a distorted image of religion. This method sometimes appeals to individuals who grow fond of preserving traditions rather than preserving life, peace, and utility. Accordingly, they use this erroneous way of understanding religion to justify oppression, sexism, patriarchy, and despotism.

Anyways, there is no conclusion needed. I, personally, feel that people should take a moment to realize what we are turning into: people who support prejudice, tyranny, and abuse. People who justify crime, afflict and blame victims, curse dead people, and still call themselves “pious and pure.” But the good omen is, life won’t stop, strong people will get stronger, honest people will grow more honest, and those who have a lost right will fight to get it. And just like Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar said, “Lost rights are never regained by appeals to the conscience of the usurpers, but by relentless struggle.”