When Shaking Hands with A Man/Woman Is Thought to Be Religiously Wrong!

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 9 October 2024 In a notable cultural and religious incident, a Muslim woman refused to shake hands with the Crown prince of Norway, citing her faith's guidelines as the reason. In Islamic tradition, particularly among more conservative interpretations, physical contact between men and women who are not related is considered "Haram" (forbidden). Muslim woman refused to shake hands with the Crown prince of Norway ------ This belief led the woman to decline the handshake, a gesture that is customary in Western cultures, especially during formal or diplomatic interactions. In the beginning of 2024, Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan refused to shake hands with the female members of Aussie bowling great Glenn McGrath's family during the third Test against Australia, played at SCG, Sydney from January 3 to 6. Will shaking hands defile devout men and women? If one's religiously so rigid, it's better to live in an Islamic country where all these primitive rules are not only followed, but also glorified as being religiously and morally upright. This unnecessary emphasis on chastity reeks of an exasperating holier-than-thou attitude. Does Allah question a Muslim woman on the Day of Judgement why she shook hands with a man? Did the cricketer from Pakistan become a better human by refusing to shake hands with a female member of McGrath's family? What does one achieve by insulting the other person by refusing to shake hands with him/her? Hindus and Jains are also on an even keel on this count. Priests of Swaminarayan Sect in Hinduism will not even look at women, let alone touch them! Jain Munis avoid direct eye contact with females because they've been indoctrinated in that way. Even the 'enlightened' Buddha refused entry of female monks into the Buddhist monasteries. Catholic priests and nuns are advised by the church to keep a 'safe' distance. All religions are sexist and have a weirdly distilled and over-puritanical attitude towards women and human sexuality, which's so natural, organic and biological. Yet, we follow them (faiths) blindly because we're inherently regressive and religiously inflexible. ---- A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several languages including Persian. URL: https://www.newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/shaking-hands-man-woman-religiously/d/133391 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism