A fatwa (religious edict) apparently permitting ‘sexual jihad’ appeared on a Facebook page reportedly affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood (MB), but some have dismissed it as a parody.
The fatwa supposedly came in response to a question by a female Brotherhood supporter asking if ‘sexual Jihad’ is allowed in Rabea al-Adawiya Square and other squares in Egypt where people have been protesting against Mohammed Mursi’s ouster since June 30.
The religious answer appearing on the Facebook page was: “Not now. Let us wait first for what will happen, may God strengthen the Mujahedeen.”
“Sexual Jihad” refers to the idea of the female Islamists offering their sexual services to their male counterparts so they remain motivated to continue the struggle for their cause.
The fatwa prompted more than 1,400 user comments, with many responding with sarcasm and ridicule. One commenter wrote: “If there is sexual Jihad, we are ready to abandon Tahrir square and join Rabea al-Adawiya, may God destroy the Hashish camp.”
Tahrir square is where liberal anti-Mursi protesters are camping to defend the military’s decision to overthrow the Islamist president.
Another commenter wrote: “Is this a square or a house of prostitution? And you are calling us seculars and apostates; I swear we are more honorable than you.”
One person challenged the fatwa as “wrong,” sarcastically saying that that “sexual Jihad should be allowed now for the square to become an attraction for Jihadists nationwide.”
However, other commenters dismissed the reaction to the post, saying it was a parody.
Arab daily online newspaper Elaph quoted Muslim Brotherhood member Saif al-Nahi as saying that the Facebook page is part of a smear campaign against the Islamist group that has been ongoing since Mursi’s ascension to power.
