By Kamal Ghazal |
In many parts of the Arab world, religious beliefs and folk traditions often merge, forming a complex social fabric where spiritual healing-particularly “Ruqya Shar’iyya” (Islamic exorcism) holds a significant place, especially for women. Promoted as a remedy for psychological distress, physical ailments, or possession by evil spirits, ruqya is seen by many as a divine path to recovery.
But behind the sacred verses and whispered prayers, a disturbing truth emerges: ruqya sessions are increasingly being used as a front for sexual abuse. Women in emotionally vulnerable states are being manipulated into non-consensual acts - all under the guise of expelling what is believed to be a demonic lover: the “jinn al-‘ashiq”, or the loving jinn.
But behind the sacred verses and whispered prayers, a disturbing truth emerges: ruqya sessions are increasingly being used as a front for sexual abuse. Women in emotionally vulnerable states are being manipulated into non-consensual acts - all under the guise of expelling what is believed to be a demonic lover: the “jinn al-‘ashiq”, or the loving jinn.