Religious controversy

Within Muslim communities, the debate about whether the use of the hand is haram (forbidden) or not, is not uncommon. The use of amulets or other objects to ward off evil is sometimes seen as a form of superstition, which would be in violation of the strict rules of Islam. So, using the hand as a protective symbol is not allowed. However, it is not forbidden to use the symbol decoratively. In many countries in the Mediterranean, the hand often appears in the form of souvenirs, such as necklaces, prints and keychains. In the Middle-East, you can find it as interior decoration. It is common for the hand to be depicted with the eye in the middle, but alternative depictions appear in different cultures as well.

One of the people I spoke to about the hand, told me about a discussion that had recently taken place. The person in question asked for the hand at a market stand on the Haagse Markt, but it quickly caused an uproar. The object mostly drew the attention of middle-aged people with a Moroccan-Islamic background. What followed was a discussion about whether owning the hand was allowed in the first place. Opinions were divided, but one thing is sure: the hand is controversial.