Friday, November 22, 2013

Oman National Day 'Groping' : Video

 الفيديو الذي احدث ضجة وغضب عارم نتيجة تصرفات صبيانية لا تعكس اخلاقيات الشعب العماني الخلوق  / في العيد الوطني ال 43

This video shows a young girl being what looks likes being groped by a group of Omani National Day revelers. You can hear her screaming in fear/disgust. This is one of several incidents from this year's celebration. I do not remember another National Day where such happened. I'm not sure what got into people this year; maybe, the full moon during National Day caused people to go partially nuts.



Although many Omanis have indicated outrage by this video and such actions on various forums, unfortunately sexual harassment does happen in Oman especially toward expat women. I have an acquaintance whose husband worked at Vale, she was followed out of LuLu's by an Omani gentleman. He then pursued her in a car as she drove home. She was so frightened her husband had to leave work to rescue her.

This is not an isolated story. In Oman, they call it 'eve chasing.' Certain Omani men may see expat women as an easy target as they are outside of the 'tribal system'. So, the 'shame' factor in chasing an expat is mitigated as the expat most likely does not know anyone who matters as far as the reputation for the Omani goes nor does the Omani pursuer fear the possible physical retribution from the many male relatives of an Omani girl, or the Omani thinks rightly or wrongly the expat may be more amenable to dating.

 For example, in Omani culture it is even considered inappropriate for male friends to inquire about the wives, mothers, daughters, etc. of the other; instead they make a general inquiry about the welfare of the other's family. So, 'groping' a wife, mother, sister of a compatriot would be in extreme contradiction of traditional values.

I hope ROP cracks down on such behaviors in the future, puts stiff penalties, and/or educates the public against following / harassing expat and Omani women to stop its occurrence so woman don't have to experience such while in Oman. In addition,  it does tarnish Omanis reputation when most of the Omani people have so much to offer and are so hospitable and helpful as the expats share their experiences about Oman with their colleagues, friends and families in their respective home countries.




2 comments:

  1. I HAVE LIVED IN OMAN 8 YEARS AND NEVR SEEN SUCH DISGUSTING BEHAVIOUR WHICH WAS ALLOWED BY THE POLICE WHO DID NOTHING WHERE I WAS STUCK FOR 3 HOURS! THESE SO CALLED "REVELLERS" ARE NOTHING MORE THAN THUGS. I TREMBLE FOR THE FUTURE OF OMAN WHEN THESE MOBS ARE ALLOWED A FREE HAND WITH THE POLICE BEING COMPLICIT AND DOING NOTHING. MAYBE ITS TIME THE POLICE GOT OUT OF THEIR CARS FOR ONCE AND ACTUALLY DID SOMETHING TO KEEP THE ROADS SAFE AND CLEAR.

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  2. Sad but true. If something is not done to put an end to this kind of behaviour, it will have devastating and lasting effects on tourism. Some of these incidents would result in sexual assault charges and convictions in western countries.

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