Obsessed with the evil eye, Moroccan mother holds children captive for 40 years

MENA

Published: 2017-05-14 15:25

Last Updated: 2024-03-28 05:38


It is common to see newborn babies wearing a “blue eye” pendant to protect them from bad luck.
It is common to see newborn babies wearing a “blue eye” pendant to protect them from bad luck.

A Moroccan woman’s extraordinary fear of the “evil eye” led her to keep her children in hiding for 40 years.

Arab media reported that the mother-of-four forbade her three daughters and son -- the youngest is 32-years-old -- from leaving their home for four decades, for fear of her neighbors and local community casting an “evil eye” on her children.

According to the same source, the woman has lost more than one child in the past, which may have caused her superstitious behaviour.

Residents of the small town of Ain Mediouna in Taounate Province demanded that local police raid the woman’s house for the sake of her children’s well-being, and bring her to justice.

Following lengthy negotiations with the mother, a representative from the National Cooperation was permitted to enter her home and give the victims a full psychological analysis. While locals demanded to know the full extent of the curious story, police said that the report will remain confidential.

Superstitions are common around the world, but in the Middle East, fear of the “evil eye” is especially paramount. For example, it is common to see newborn babies wearing a “blue eye” pendant to protect them from bad luck. Blue eye beads also often adorn items like mirrors, keyrings and jewellery, as they are considered as a good luck charm.