In Pakistan, severe gender segregation prevails in many areas and among many people, where women are often viewed not as individuals but as objects to be concealed from men. The popularized belief is that any close interaction between men and women could lead to indecency and immorality. While gender segregation, to some extent, is necessary to ensure privacy and comfort and guard against immorality, the enforcement of extreme segregation in Pakistan goes beyond what is essential.
Islam provides guidelines for interactions between men and women, as mentioned in Surah An-Nur (verses 30-31) of the Holy Quran, to prevent indecency and uphold the sanctity of the family among Muslims. However, in Pakistan, the enforcement of gender segregation is so strict that even a respectful handshake or sitting together in a gathering between a man and a woman is considered taboo, unlike in Indonesia where such interactions are not prohibited, even though Indonesia, is also a Muslim society where the religion is practiced devoutly.
In my experiences in Quetta, I have witnessed instances where women visiting clinics are made to sit behind curtains to avoid being seen by men. This extreme segregation contributes to the sexual objectification of women in Pakistani society. Women are often scrutinized and sometimes even sexually harassed when they are in public spaces. In such cases, blame is unjustly placed on women, suggesting that they should have been accompanied by a male family member or dressed modestly. Even if the heinous crime like rape is reported!
It is essential to recognize that the root of sexual abuse does not lie in how women dress or behave. Shockingly, 60% of reported sexual abuse cases in Pakistan involve children, who are often victims of rape. The real issue lies in the depraved mindset of the perpetrators, not the attire of the victims. Moreover, the safety of women in urban areas of other countries, even when alone, challenges the notion that women's safety is solely dependent on their behavior or attire.
The ramifications of extreme gender segregation in many Pakistani societies are dire. Women are forced into marriages without their consent, denied fundamental rights such as education, and subjected to the prevalence of honor killings. Particularly in tribal areas or villages, women can face fatal consequences in the name of honor over trivial matters.
Islam does not inherently endorse such extreme forms of segregation. Notable scholars like Yusuf al-Qaradawi have deemed formal and modest handshakes between men and women permissible (provided even if the two are not Mahram).[1] While differing opinions exist among scholars, the pursuit of truth should always be paramount.
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| A picture of Pakistani women, who were contributing well in the society, before the military rule of Zia ul-Haq. |
In conclusion, promoting education and advocating for the eradication of harmful gender segregation practices in Pakistan is crucial. Such practices not only violate human rights but also contribute to the creation of an abnormal society. It is important to remember that these societal norms emerged in Pakistan following the military dictatorship and so-called Islamization of General Zia-ul-Haq. Prior to this period, the societal landscape was markedly different, and had tolerance unlike today's Pakistan.
Here I would also like to give a reference of the report of Sahih Muslim, which is;
"“If a female slave among the people of Al-Madinah were to take the hand of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), he would not take his hand away from hers until she had taken him wherever she wanted in Al-Madinah so that her needs may be met.”" (Sahih Muslim 4177)
While the report tell how kind our Prophet (ﷺ) was, it also proves that Islam never prohibited the formal handshake or touch of two genders. The other reports holds a context and some reports are obviously weak. The one I have referred is also in Sahih Bukhari (6072) and even Sunan Ibn Majah (4177).
This video was uploaded on YouTube by Student, and I feared of the possibility of deletion of such a important video, so I decided to upload it here, and this is the description the user gave;
Please be open-minded when watching the video and reading the articles Article 1: http://www.virtualmosq... Article 2: http://www.virtualmosq... Article 3: http://www.virtualmosq...
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