Babies dropped 50 feet in Muslim ritual
In an ancient Muslim ritual that is still practiced today, babies are dropped 50 feet from a temple for good luck. Waiting below is a crowd of men holding a taut white sheet to break their fall and (hopefully) catch them after the first bounce.
Supporters maintain that in the 500-year history of this tradition, there have never been any deaths or injuries. However, from watching the video, one can't help but wonder about the physical or mental effects that may manifest later in development.
I am someone who is both afraid of heights and one of those moms that hates it when dad tosses baby up before a big hug; so I can't imagine how they found even one mother willing to offer up their baby for the 50 foot drop. The video is breathtaking and by the frightened look on the babies' faces, must surely feel like the longest 4 seconds in the life of both the baby and any onlooking mom.
In India, where this ritual can be found among Muslims and Hindus alike, there have been calls for the government to intervene to stop the practice. Is this religious expression that should be protected by the law? Is it better that it remains legal and thus a very public affair?
Perhaps more importantly, if banned, can it really be enforced? Bride burning is also illegal in India, yet claims the lives of thousands of abused women who die by "accident" or "suicide" every year.
Supporters maintain that in the 500-year history of this tradition, there have never been any deaths or injuries. However, from watching the video, one can't help but wonder about the physical or mental effects that may manifest later in development.
I am someone who is both afraid of heights and one of those moms that hates it when dad tosses baby up before a big hug; so I can't imagine how they found even one mother willing to offer up their baby for the 50 foot drop. The video is breathtaking and by the frightened look on the babies' faces, must surely feel like the longest 4 seconds in the life of both the baby and any onlooking mom.
In India, where this ritual can be found among Muslims and Hindus alike, there have been calls for the government to intervene to stop the practice. Is this religious expression that should be protected by the law? Is it better that it remains legal and thus a very public affair?
Perhaps more importantly, if banned, can it really be enforced? Bride burning is also illegal in India, yet claims the lives of thousands of abused women who die by "accident" or "suicide" every year.
Recent Posts
- Junior politician practices the important parts (5/13/2008)
- The unintended consequences of Title IX (5/13/2008)
- Court upholds school uniforms (5/13/2008)
- Boy takes off Brett Favre jersey for the first time since 2003 (5/13/2008)
- Baskin Robbins appeals to moms-to-be (5/12/2008)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
April 5-02-2008 @ 11:32AM
Oh fear-mongering... gotta hate those Muslims, don't we? Way to pick out another example that exoticises an act not practiced by the majority of the people in the religion.
Reply
Sonja 5-02-2008 @ 12:34PM
I saw that too last night. I was horrified! The looks on the babies faces are stuck in my head. Don't get it, don't want to get it. Whether it is practiced by a small number of people or by all..............even one "baby drop" is one too many in my opinion. I lump it in with female circumsicion and infant rapes in South Africa to supposedly cure Aids. Ridiculous and ignorant.
Reply
hope 5-04-2008 @ 2:24AM
Shaken baby syndrome is exactly what I was thinking, not to mention the fear on those babies faces! I cannot believe that there is a single person on earth that thinks this is a good or safe thing to do. It's completely irresponsible, I don't care what the tradition or history is behind it.
Reply
Pauline Lupercio 5-05-2008 @ 12:08PM
I saw this on the news and my heart almost stopped. By the way, my maiden name is Campos...! Not too many of us, are there?
Reply
Monique D. 5-05-2008 @ 11:13PM
April, it's not fear mongering! It's irresponsible!!! I don'y care who does it! Remember the outcries when Michael Jackson dangled his baby over the balcony?
I find it hard to believe that there have been NO injuries or deaths caused by landing wrong. BTW, ever heard of shaken baby syndrome? It can't be good for their brains to bounce a round in their heads upon landing.
Reply