Solidarity

On Sunday 29 May 2011 I had the opportunity of meeting an amazing women, Fatimatou Mansour,  from Morocco. She is the Human Rights Special Secretary for the Permanent Mission of Morocco and is a Muslim woman with three daughters. She also suffered horrible injustices in her life as a result of being a refugee. She was one of the many children who were being separated from their families, and her separation lasted for twelve years while she was forced to live, work, and study in Cuba. She was only ten when she was taken away from them.

During our meal, we peppered her with questions about the turmoil that caused her and her family to be subjected to so many human rights violations and talked about her work at the United Nations and the panels she would be hosting in the coming weeks. We also asked her about her culture and religion and admired her beautiful traditional Moroccan dress. We talked about her relationship between her and her husband which included an explanation of some of their separation of duties. This portion of the discussion I found very interesting because it contradicted some of my stereotypes by showing me that they are a loving a supportive couple hat does not exist on submission versus power. She explained that in her culture it is looked at as the husband’s responsibility to keep the wife happy. If the wife does not show her happiness it is assumed by those in the community that the husband is mistreating her. During the meal, her husband said several times that he was “her slave,” and although this was said in a joking manner, it showed how much he supports her in the work that she is doing.

Traditional Couscous

with vegetables and lamb

Dressing me

By the end of our four hour visit, she gifted each of us a traditional Moroccan dress, and a box of green tea.She taught us how to put on the dress (it is really just a long piece of fabric that has to be strategically tied and wrapped around your body), and we asked if it would be okay for us to wear them at her upcoming panel. She replied by saying that it would be a great way of showing solidarity with Muslim women, Moroccans, and the human rights violations they have endured. I thought about this remark of solidarity on the way home as I wore the dress and was surprised when I passed a Muslim woman who smiled at me as if we shared a common bond. I turned to Jess and commented about the exchange between myself and the Muslim woman and how I found it interesting that a piece of clothing could create such a connection.

At the Human Rights Panel in the United Nations on June 8, 2011

We did in fact wear our dresses to Fatimatou’s panel at the United Nations and we were greeted by her, the other women, and many of the men with surprise and thanks. We were even honored by being given a front row seat between Fatimatou and one of her colleagues during the panel, and Jess was interviewed for Moroccan television to help show that Western women also support the struggle for human rights and the freedom that the refugees are desperately seeking.



Until this experience I never really understood the concept of solidarity or why it might be important to share solidarity with a group of people, but now I realize how one simple act can change a person from an onlooker to an advocate. Previously I thought that wearing traditional clothing from another culture would be considered offensive, but after this experience I realized that it is actually a sign of respect and solidarity with their beliefs and way of life. I came to the UN wanting to learn how to be an advocate for people who do not have the opportunity to share their voice, and this one lesson in solidarity taught me a great deal more than I thought I needed.


Below are more pictures from our wonderful visit with Fatimatou and her family.

Jess watching the traditional tea preparation

Both of us with Fatimatou

With Fatimatou

What a cute family!

Her husband in his traditional clothing

One of their cute daughters

         

With their friend-he really liked it

So, how do I look?