Luxor4u

Something I've learned today...not the prevalence of women being Umm (eldest son) but the reason behind it.


For men in Egypt and in many other countries in the Middle East, there is a peculiar taboo of not disclosing one’s mother’s name in public, lest her name become a subject of shame and ridicule in public forums. Over time, her name becomes forgotten and she’s only referred to as ‘The mother of her eldest son’.

UN Women’s ‘Give Mom Back Her Name’ initiative is simple yet powerful and aims to take steps to eradicate this taboo and giving mother’s in Egypt and the Middle East their names back in public fora.

Mohammed Naciri, UN Women Regional Director, says, “A woman’s name should never be associated with shame or embarrassment – this mother’s day, we are reclaiming that space and recognizing women for the incredible individuals they are, not only as the mother of her eldest son.”

The initiative is created together with IMPACT BBDO Dubai and aims to open a larger conversation of women´s rights and gender equality in the Middle East and the world.

While the region has many challenges to overcome to reach gender equality, such initiatives aim to change the fabric of society at community levels; including questioning cultural norms and ultimately striving towards building an inclusive, equal society.​

As a sign of appreciation for a lifetime of love, thank Mom with one small gift: give Mom back her name.

Change your twitter profile picture to your mothers name and #MyMothersNameIs …. Let the world know she gave her all to raise you.

This is actually wrong. It's not about "shame," but in order to perform magic effectively against someone, you need to know their name and that of their mother. Therefore, historically and going back to pharaonic times, people preferred to keep their mother's name private. Even some go by names other than their given name so as to obscure who they really are as a protective measure. If worrying about women's names is so important to the UN in the Middle East, then they are pretty useless as there are a lot bigger problems right now.

newcastle wrote:
The initiative is created together with IMPACT BBDO Dubai and aims to open a larger conversation of women´s rights and gender equality in the Middle East and the world.
.

I rather assumed it was trying to tackle an important issue in an indirect way.

But I'm sure Glyph knows better

I am proud to be known as Um Omar

Mad Dilys wrote:I am proud to be known as Um Omar

I'm sure you're proud of your son MD, and proud to be his mother, but isn't being referred to as the mother-of-X, rather than as a person with their own name & identity, just another example of the denigration of a woman in society, particularly middle eastern society ?

Incidentally, how does one refer to an Egyptian mother who doesn't have a son?

I had an English friend who got married to an Egyptian in the 1960s. For legal reasons, they had to get married in both Egypt and the UK. She legally had to keep her own name in Egypt. She legally had to take her husband's name in the UK. Neither country gave her a choice. Where's the suppression of identity in that?

Glyphdoctor wrote:This is actually wrong. It's not about "shame," but in order to perform magic effectively against someone, you need to know their name and that of their mother. Therefore, historically and going back to pharaonic times, people preferred to keep their mother's name private. Even some go by names other than their given name so as to obscure who they really are as a protective measure. If worrying about women's names is so important to the UN in the Middle East, then they are pretty useless as there are a lot bigger problems right now.

I really like this post GD.
It's informative and gives an insight into the history of this.
I love posts like this.They educate me and further my interest in spiritual matters.
Thank you.

You're welcome. If you google "magic mother's name" you will find a lot of information about this topic.

Glyphdoctor wrote:I had an English friend who got married to an Egyptian in the 1960s. For legal reasons, they had to get married in both Egypt and the UK. She legally had to keep her own name in Egypt. She legally had to take her husband's name in the UK. Neither country gave her a choice. Where's the suppression of identity in that?

I can't speak for Egypt but we've certainly moved on in the UK where a married woman can, and often does, retain her own name - precisely because surrendering it is a suppression of her identity.

newcastle wrote:

Mad Dilys wrote:I am proud to be known as Um Omar

I'm sure you're proud of your son MD, and proud to be his mother, but isn't being referred to as the mother-of-X, rather than as a person with their own name & identity, just another example of the denigration of a woman in society, particularly middle eastern society ?

Incidentally, how does one refer to an Egyptian mother who doesn't have a son?

I have no biological son, only daughters. The name was given to me by both Omar and his relatives as a courtesy title. He has an older brother and an excellent biological mother.

We are conforming to a custom that's all.

As my own old Mum used to say "I don't care what you call me, as long as it's not late for breakfast!"

Any label, no label makes no difference to me - I am what I am. But it might to someone else.

newcastle wrote:

Glyphdoctor wrote:I had an English friend who got married to an Egyptian in the 1960s. For legal reasons, they had to get married in both Egypt and the UK. She legally had to keep her own name in Egypt. She legally had to take her husband's name in the UK. Neither country gave her a choice. Where's the suppression of identity in that?

I can't speak for Egypt but we've certainly moved on in the UK where a married woman can, and often does, retain her own name - precisely because surrendering it is a suppression of her identity.

********!A married woman should take on her husband's surname.As should any children of the union.
I'm widowed,but have never reverted to my maiden name.Why would I want a different surname from my children?
That would only cause confusion.

If ever I re-marry,I will take on new husbands surname.For now..it's much easier to retain the same surname as my children.

I take it you're no feminist MD

Sure....what's in a name.....but like so many aspects of the denigration of women over the centuries, it's symbolic of the fact that they're not on a par with men.

I'm sure there are many Egyptian customs to which you do not, and would not wish to, conform )

newcastle wrote:

Glyphdoctor wrote:I had an English friend who got married to an Egyptian in the 1960s. For legal reasons, they had to get married in both Egypt and the UK. She legally had to keep her own name in Egypt. She legally had to take her husband's name in the UK. Neither country gave her a choice. Where's the suppression of identity in that?

I can't speak for Egypt but we've certainly moved on in the UK where a married woman can, and often does, retain her own name - precisely because surrendering it is a suppression of her identity.

I was very grudging in changing my surname when I was young, but in the event I found it made absolutely no difference to who I really was.

I married a man who was very well known in our town. When we were first married I was known as Mr X's wife.

After a few years he heard someone call him Mrs X's husband.

It's really unimportant.

Scottishtourist wrote:

newcastle wrote:

Glyphdoctor wrote:I had an English friend who got married to an Egyptian in the 1960s. For legal reasons, they had to get married in both Egypt and the UK. She legally had to keep her own name in Egypt. She legally had to take her husband's name in the UK. Neither country gave her a choice. Where's the suppression of identity in that?

I can't speak for Egypt but we've certainly moved on in the UK where a married woman can, and often does, retain her own name - precisely because surrendering it is a suppression of her identity.

********!A married woman should take on her husband's surname.As should any children of the union.
I'm widowed,but have never reverted to my maiden name.Why would I want a different surname from my children?
That would only cause confusion.

If ever I re-marry,I will take on new husbands surname.For now..it's much easier to retain the same surname as my children.

There are women who think very differently to you.

But be grateful that you have a personal choice in this matter...unlike women in other parts of the world.

newcastle wrote:I take it you're no feminist MD

Sure....what's in a name.....but like so many aspects of the denigration of women over the centuries, it's symbolic of the fact that they're not on a par with men.

I'm sure there are many Egyptian customs to which you do not, and would not wish to, conform )

I'm an independent spirit.

There are many customs worldwide including the UK with which I do not, and would not wish to conform.

In Egypt I seem to be treated as an honorary man, even sometimes as a respectful "Sir" in spite of wearing a hijab

What about English titles?

Young boy - Master etc do you think that really demeans girls?

Of course not.

Mad Dilys wrote:

newcastle wrote:

Glyphdoctor wrote:I had an English friend who got married to an Egyptian in the 1960s. For legal reasons, they had to get married in both Egypt and the UK. She legally had to keep her own name in Egypt. She legally had to take her husband's name in the UK. Neither country gave her a choice. Where's the suppression of identity in that?

I can't speak for Egypt but we've certainly moved on in the UK where a married woman can, and often does, retain her own name - precisely because surrendering it is a suppression of her identity.

I was very grudging in changing my surname when I was young, but in the event I found it made absolutely no difference to who I really was.

I married a man who was very well known in our town. When we were first married I was known as Mr X's wife.

After a few years he heard someone call him Mrs X's husband.

It's really unimportant.

Try telling that to the husbands of well known female artistes !

I recall one of Madonna's husbands not being at all happy at being referred to as " Mr. Madonna"

Mad Dilys wrote:What about English titles?

Young boy - Master etc do you think that really demeans girls?

Of course not.

I'll respond.....if you explain what you mean.

I can't follow your remark

I'm not sure why you can't speak for Egypt when I just explained to you how it works here. But just to repeat, in Egypt a woman CANNOT take her husband's name. She keeps the name she was born with.

Actually I would be quite happy to be called Um Omar, don't want all and sundry knowing my name.