MIDDLE EAST: More tolerance of abortion in Arab world

By Borzou Daragahi in Beirut

I knew it wouldn't be an easy story to pursue, writing an article about a subjective as sensitive as abortion in the Muslim Middle East.

But over the course of weeks of reporting, as I asked around among friends and acquaintances, I was shocked at how commonplace abortions were in the Middle East. Everyone, it seemed, knew someone who had had an abortion, and knew of doctors and midwives to contact in case someone needed one.

And though it's a topic that is strictly taboo, I was surprised at how many women were willing to speak discreetly about their experiences, even to a male reporter. One even considered allowing the use of her name, before realizing it might put her in trouble with the law.

Beneath the Muslim world's conservative veneer, attitudes are a lot more liberal. Abortions except in rare cases are illegal outside of Tunisia. But according to a survey published this month by WorldPublicOpinion.org, 53% of Egyptians, 66% of Iranians, 68% of Turks and 70% of Palestinians oppose criminalizing abortion.

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Photo: Kuwaiti women listen to political candidates at a forum in April. Credit: RAED QUTENA/EPA