A video shared among Arabs on social media showing a niqabi woman making an inappropriate sexual advances towards a man in a dry cleaner has sparked controversy.
The video appears at a time when a wave of videos documenting males sexually harassing women are going viral in different countries in the Middle East.
While the video did not have a clear source or date, social media users claimed it was originated from one of the GCC countries. Some also said it took place in Saudi Arabia and the victim is a worker from a foreign nationality.
The video was viewed by more than 300K users, had comments and shares by around 2K users.
Most of the comments were ironically blaming the man who appeared in the video for what happened. They were highlighting the irony when people in Middle East, most often, blame victims of sexual harassment for what they have been exposed to instead of taking serious actions against the harassers.
Translation: “How would women let their men leave home! Hasbiya Allah wa ni'mal wakeel [Allah suffices me, for He is the best disposer of affairs]. They are taking men really easy and this is the result!”
Some people went on to doubt the niqabi women, accusing her of serving to misrepresent the image of niqabi women around the world.
Translation: “She is absolutely atheist! She aims to misrepresent the image of niqabi women.”
Others went to highlight the fact that niqabi women are not saints and it is not a sign of honor.
Translation: “That is why we always say that niqab is not a sign of honor and chastity.”
