Saturday Word: Taharrush (Jamai)

[theidolhands.livejournal.com]

First time I've felt compelled to use a cut like this, but it's with respect.

Today's word was discovered upon reading about the attack of women during German celebrations of New Year, it turns out there is a "tradition" of this type of behavior -- it has a name -- and has deeply troubled Egypt and the Middle East for a while.


ta·har·rush [taḥarrush jamāʿī,]:
origin: (1950) Arabic (التحرش الجنسي الجماعى); taharrush = “harassment” +‎ jinsi = “sexual”, jamai= "circle" or "mass".

noun or verb
Certain religious extremists use sexual harassment and rape as a supposed form of "punishment" for women who do not conform to strict Muslim law. However, traditional Muslim women have also been assaulted in this manner. There are 14 varieties of taharrush, one of which is taharrush jamai or an organized group of sexual harassment and/or rape.

Sometimes "jamai" (jah-my) or "gemea", gets transliterated into the English word "game" or "rape game", so you may read that or the phrase "taharrush game" in articles.

The strategy is complex, and well thought out, involving 2-3 layers of males (linked into rings) encircling one or a few women. In Egypt this technique was given the nickname, "The Circle of Hell" because even the woman/women cannot escape or perceive the sheer number of people assaulting them. Then, if anyone actually does know an attack is going on...helping or reaching the victims becomes equally impossible.

The inner circle gropes, strips, and assaults the victim(s) while focusing on their sexual organs. The secondary circle watches the events unfold (and may eventually move to the 1st circle) as this is believed to add to the victim's deserved shame; these men are witnesses and a wall preventing people nearby from seeing anything. If a 3rd circle is present, they will divert all attention to events unfolding and if need be do so by pretending they are going to rescue the women/woman -- deliberately adding to the confusion and chaos.

The city of Cairo has developed volunteer groups, called OpAntiSH (Operation Anti Sexual Harassment), specifically to combat the taharrush jamai incidents, risking violence upon themselves in the process.

More info here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass_sexual_assault_in_Egypt

The entire topic has become very controversial.

Comments

[sharksandwich]

Wow. That's... really awful.

[theidolhands.livejournal.com]

It is shocking how many people will agree to do this to another person simply because of their gender (as if they ceased to be human).

America too though, despite being considered a very advanced society, still struggles with gang rape as well as women being perceived as deserving their assaults.

However, this level of organization, done blatantly in public, and repeatedly, was unheard of to me until reading up on the attacks in Germany.

[trellia-chan.livejournal.com]

How can can things like this still be happening today?? I was ignorant to this barbaric practice until reading this entry.

[theidolhands.livejournal.com]

As was I until reading up on the incidents in Germany and doing a little research out of curiosity. If you continue to look through youtube videos, you will see more extreme incidents that have been filmed.

This is a "cultural" practive that up until recently was unseen in the West and in order to combat it at all, education and awareness would seem to be an important step.

[theidolhands.livejournal.com]

I recall Tasha Yar of Star Trek: The Next Generation said to come from a planet where a type of bedlam had rule and women lived in desperate fear of "rape gangs" that constantly patrolled (and supposedly made her the guarded and "unfeminine" individual that she was).

I'd found that to be rather outrageous at the time, but perhaps Mr. Roddenberry meant to reflect upon cultures where incidences like this were normal.

[trellia-chan.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't be surprised!

I have hope that increased global awareness might someday put an end to such crimes against humanity.

[theidolhands.livejournal.com]

Provided information is not repressed, which some fear it is, yes, my thinking is along those lines as well. I sincerely hope Western men will not tolerate this (as obviously women won't) or perpetuate it.

[anais-pf.livejournal.com]

My German LJ friend wrote about this some in her LJ, and I've seen a news report or two, but I had no idea it was this well-organized and horrifying. Thank you for the education.

[theidolhands.livejournal.com]

You're welcome, I had no idea either, and felt it was important to educate people. It reads like something out of a dystopian novel.