Her name is Fatima

My mother's name is Fatima.

The significance of this statement is that it seems in our society-not only in Jordan but in other Arab countries-for men to say the name of their mother in front of other males is a taboo. Where this taboo came from I am curious to know.

I am well aware that in both the Bedioun and Farmers society-which is what that the Jordanian and Palestinian community is made up of-they are proud of the mothers. They use the mother's as well as the sister's name as a way of differentiating between different males in the community. Why is it that we now use our culture as being the reason why men are ashamed of their mothers?

Isn't it also stated clearly in Islam, one of the saying of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) states that " your mother, then your mother, then your mother, then your father" this clearly shows the importance that our religion places on the role that our mothers have played in our upbringing, and in the respect that we have to give them.

I have just finished watching a documentary, done by a few young people here in Jordan, they went around Jordan University, and asked random males to say the name of their mothers. I would say that over 90% of them were unwilling to say it. One even went so far to say that his mother is only half the value of his father!!!!!

I was saddened, and a bit scared by what I saw and heard. I know that as a West Amman female I do live in a bubble, yet it terrifies me to think that around this bubble there are people who can say such things, and keep a straight face.

How can a boy think so badly of his own mother? The woman who carried him for 9 months, who cleaned after him, who fed him, who made sure that if he had bad dreams she was there holding his hand, helping him go back to sleep. She is one of the two people in this world who love him unconditionally, who is willing to give up everything for him.

My mother's name is Fatima, if saying it means that I am ashamed of her then I am saying it CLEARLY.


My MOTHER'S NAME IS FATIMA!!!!!