Sadly Unfortunate

The acid mutilation of two young British women of Jewish heritage on the Indian Ocean island of Zanzibar was truly a misfortune to have been visited upon them. The young women undoubtedly felt that they had combined an adventure with a charitable enterprise on their part. Their impulse to aid those less fortunate than themselves is not unusual coming from youth who live privileged, entitled lives and whose curriculum vitae for future employment bejewelled by references to exotic destinations of impoverished living conditions and charitable volunteerism appears most appealing.

It does, however, seem a rather reckless choice, to embark on a trip to a Muslim-majority country on a continent that has seen, and is seeing huge social upheavals emanating in aberrant violence resulting from regional, religious and tribal conflicts during the month of Ramadan. Where resentment of the West is always present, but becomes rampant during times of stress, and particularly so when radical clerics of fanatical religious sects foment further distrust against any who represent values they despise.

Scarred: Kirstie Trup, left, and Katie Gee, both 18, of Hampstead, north London, have begun treatment for their burns in the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital

The two young women had spent almost a month volunteering at the St.Monica nursery school in Stone Town, in the capital, for the Art in Tanzania charity. It was a trip that had been organized by a travel company based in Britain, for just such a purpose in recognition of the spirit of just such young people looking for the experience of volunteerism and adventure. After all, if a celebrity such as former U.S. president Bill Clinton would show up there to further his own charity's anti-malarial work, it's the place to be.

According to a friend, Oli Cohen: "The girls were walking through the town singing during Ramadan when a Muslim lady came up to her [Ms. Gee] shouting. She lost her temper and reacted violently -- and hit her in the face for singing. They were both extremely shaken up by it. I think white north London Jewish girls walking around in Zanzibar always make them a target as it's a Muslim country." Aha! and there's the problem in a nutshell.

Did the girls and their parents think to consult with this level-headed friend of theirs? Why might they believe they would be immune to any type of inconvenient problems that might crop up when white women of the privileged West make their presence in a place where their presence is so obviously resented, and therefore out-of-place? This, entirely discounting the additional problems relating to religion and xenophobic obsession.

They weren't exactly unnoticed by those among whom they moved; they were obvious strangers, foreigners. Something they appear to have been happily oblivious to, likely feeling that their intentions were recognized and they would merit respect thereby. Rumours that they had been involved in a shouting match with a merchant, and that this man and a few henchmen might have been involved in the acid attack have circulated.

One of the young women had the common sense to immediately immerse herself in the salt-water of the nearby sea after the beach resort attack. Swift action that will have resulted in an amelioration of the acid effects on bare skin through chemical interaction. While the other had water splashed on her at a local hospital, and who appears to have received the more serious of injuries inflicted on the two. Back in Britain, they are receiving advanced medical treatment.

The shocked parents insist their daughters had been forewarned not to make themselves conspicuous by their dress, and were assured that the young woman had dressed respectfully, in accord with local custom. Irrespective of how they were dressed, it would have been obvious enough that they were not dressed as 'modestly' as Muslim women, nor it would appear, was their conduct quite circumspect enough if singing in public during the gravity of Ramadan, and conducting a spirited argument with a vendor is anything to judge by.

The Telegraph, moreover, reports that a Muslim imam, disfigured previously in an acid attack, by similar violent thuggish action, identified an extremist Muslim group as likely being behind the attack.  "Of course this attack on the tourists was Uamsho", he said, referring to an organization whose leaders have been jailed awaiting trial for the incitement of religious violence.

The group identified by the senior Muslim imam was fomenting violence against Christians who live locally. Their agenda includes an insistence on the implementation of strict dress codes for all women, inclusive of tourists. "Of course this attack on the tourists was Uamsho", said Sheikh Fadhil Soraga.

"Just ten days ago they were saying they were planning something. This attack, which all Muslims must condemn, is their work."

Scant comfort indeed to the two young women. But a learning experience of grave dimensions.