View of part of the Fujairah Corniche and the Hajar Mountains in the Background

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Tattoos and Henna in the Islamic World

The recent article on how the burgeoning billion dollar global industry of cosmetic surgery is viewed in the Islamic world raises the related and popular issue of getting tattoos.

The site, American Bedu, (which interestingly records ‘experiences and observations of a former American diplomat now married to a Saudi and living in KSA”), has recently (22 September 2008) addressed this issue as it applies not only to Saudi Arabia but to the Muslim world.

Check out the articles and the comments entitled ‘No Tattoos in Islam’ as it roams across issues of permanent markings (tattoos), temporary designs (henna) and corrective surgery (repair), as distinct from cosmetic surgery (for appearances).

Dr Geoff Pound

Image: Pictures of tattoos and henna design from around the world.