Haajar Boutafi
Morocco World News
Fez, June 23, 2012
Is it not enough that we have freed our principles and morals to the extent that we no longer believe in them? Do we really ban sexual activities in our society nowadays, that we are in need for a whole movement to speak on our behalf?
Sexual freedom has never been on top of the list of requirements for the development of a country, nor is it supposed to be a priority in the agenda of a new government. Sexuality has always been present in our society and in our minds too; we try to avoid thinking of it or even bragging about it for fear of being misjudged or misunderstood. If we were to allow such freedom, then we can’t expect our society, with its traditions, conservatism and religious devotions to get any better.
Freedom isn’t a choice we make. It is a whole set of rules we should abide by, along with its limits. People definitely have the freedom to choose whether to fast during Ramadan, but they are absolutely not free to conduct a movement against fasting during Ramadan and show off about that, simply because people who are fasting have feelings that should be respected that very month. So, if we should make a fuss about being tolerant, treating equally and nondiscriminatory to those who do not want to fast, we should also do the same to those who are observing this tradition!
The idea of “the right to swing my fist ends where the other man’s nose begins” has been an old method that has proved it’s unworthy of adopting. We are certainly free to choose whatever we want as long as it doesn’t harm others. However, while doing that, we should keep in mind that freedom ends where it coincides with the morals and values of a society.
Our aim through human development is not to destroy our values for the sake of progress, rather it is to preserve those values, for they represent our identity and our feelings of nationalism. I am certain that those calling for such freedom would not allow it for their own children, siblings and family members. The reason is that they are more aware than any others of the dangerous consequences for their children to take such steps in a society where the religious variable and the concept of ‘hshouma’ still occupy a huge space.
For this particular purpose, once again, as a conservative society, we do not need sexual freedom. We are actually in need for greater religious awareness among people so as to be able to distinguish between what damages the values that constitute the pillars of Moroccan society and what promotes its intellectuality and preserves its traditional and cultural aspects.
© 2012 Morocco World News. All Rights Reserved
