Naheed Mustafa Thesis

If the author wanted to learn more about Muslim women, she should have sought them out and spent time with them — those who wear hijabs as well as those who don’t. Then, instead of speaking on behalf of Muslim women’s “unheard voice” by talking about her own hijab experiment (“My hijab silenced, but simultaneously, my hijab brought unforgettable words”), she should have asked them to share their own experiences as Muslim women. Then they would have a voice.

Despite all the values that the hijab is representing in different countries of the world, the only value that is demanded is the egalitarianism and justice value, whether a woman is wearing the veil or not, they are “calling for equal access to divorce, child custody, and inheritance; equal opportunities for education and employment; and abolition of

The novel takes place in Afghanistan, in a period where it’s a male-dominated society and women are mistreated in the name of Islam. At this time women are only seen for their ability to bear children which will allow the family lineage to continue. They are also required to wear a burqa, which is a piece of clothing that covers the face but at times reveals the eye. Mariam, a female lead in the novel, feels as if the burqa compresses against her mouth which silences her and makes it difficult for her to breathe. Burqas symbolize how women are inferior to the male race in society and the fact that wives are obedient to their husbands in a family. After Mariam gets married, she realizes her husband too will impose this unjust preconception, “Where I come from, a woman’s face is her husband’s business only. I want you to remember that. Do you understand?” (65). Women are obliged to be covered at all times unless they are at homes with their husbands. This layer of cloth has the ability to seclude women from society.

One of the most controversial topics concerning Muslim women’s rights is the idea of the veil. It is believed by some Muslims that the veil is an Islamic obligation that all Muslim women must adhere to. But nowadays, the veil can have different meanings that are not necessarily religious. In her article “Reinventing the Veil,” Leila Ahmed addresses some of the different meanings that the veil can have. Marjane Satrapi explores one of those meanings in her animated autobiography Persepolis (2008). In Persepolis, Marjane tells the story of her rebellion against the Iranian Islamist regime that takes over Iran, oppresses women, and forces them to wear the veil. What was interesting to me was seeing Marjane wear the veil without being oppressed, although she does not believe in it, and is being forced to wear it. In Persepolis, Marjane Satrapi escapes being a subject to the Iranian Islamist ideology by establishing her individual identity through transforming the veil from a means of oppression into a means of feminist rebellion.

Abayas, shailas, burkas, and chadors: all are forms of veiling in the Middle East, and all are perceived as symbols of oppression and patriarchy by the West. The veil worn by a Middle Eastern woman is striking and beautiful in its simplicity and elegance. The hijab, the most common form of veiling, leaves only the face visible with the neck and hair completely covered. Onlookers are in awe at the mystery and symbolism associated with the many veils created out of fine, exotic silk. But such notions of oppression and patriarchy often associated with veiling are not only inherently biased and ironic – it would be interesting to explore the symbolism behind a mini-skirt or a pair of five-inch heels, no? – but they are also inaccurate. Although veiling has most definitely been used in the Middle East as a “mechanism in the service of patriarchy, a means of regulating and controlling women’s lives” (Hoodfar, 5), it has also been used as a mode for rebellion and self-expression. Marjane Satrapi, an Iranian woman who grew up during the Islamic revolution, resisted the regime and the universalizing nature of the veil in the hope that she could maintain her individual identity whilst communicating her political ideologies. By examining the way in which the veil is represented in Satrapi’s graphic memoir, Persepolis, while also considering the history of veiling in Iran, it will become evident that the veil is not just a political tool used by male chauvinists; it also presents an

“The Hijab limits me from doing certain things. When I have the Hijab on…as a Muslim woman, I consider myself basically representing the whole community” (Ruby 29). Aspects like this set this woman apart from her peers because she is now labeled as just one thing, a Muslim, when in fact she is much more than that. Women who wear the Hijab, Muhajibah, living in the western world, I believe, have it harder than they do living back home. Here, they are subject to a lot more attention when not necessary such as weird looks walking down the street and subject to stereotypes ie. being a terrorist. Islamic women are not the only ones being oppressed by their choice of clothing; in fact every woman around the world is target towards oppression. Islamic women are just targeted more than women of other religions. This is because of the strict faith that they endure from the Qu’ran telling them that they need to dress a certain way. However, it has been debated that the Qu’ran actually doesn’t mention anything about a women needing to wear a Hijab to be a good Muslim. (Kawaji)

“I wear it to work. I wear it to school,” she told The Signal about her niqab. “Many people have this misconception that, as Muslim women, we’re oppressed or forced to wear it. For me, it’s a choice. My parents never forced me to wear it.”

Based on the way Yasmeen dresses, in traditional, Muslim hijab and black, Islamic dress, the knowledge she is different than the dominant, American cultural and religious norms follows her everywhere (p. 76). In middle school, her fellow students called her “Terrorist” and

The specific topic of this book is the oppression of women. Its overall purpose is to understand the women behind the veils and why the Muslim women take up the hijab. The purpose is also to show how

The character Maryam defends women right to wear the niqab from a liberal perspective and emphasizes Islam as a religion of peace and argues that the niqab is an Islamic woman’s expression of her faith. Maryam is optimistic and believes in a progressive Islam as she attempts to break the barriers of stereotype. Yehudit makes valid points about trying to change traditional, restrictive, and misogynistic practices. She sees room for growth and change for women in leadership roles in their

People are known to stereotype one other. This article brings to light the fact that people don’t take the time to understand different cultures and just automatically assume things. A burka is not worn by all muslim women and in different countries they have very different meanings. In Turkey wearing one represents your want to overthrow the government by others, whereas most women wear them solely for their god and not for anyone else. Muslim women are no different then American. They are all unique and have their own beliefs and contribute to society and have educations just like the rest of us.

A Hijab, is a Islamic religious and cultural symbol, that is increasingly becoming visible in the Western world giving rise to a debate over its use with dominant Western culture and values. The author Fatemeh Fakhraie, cites some cases in which the hijab are not allowed in public institutions like schools and government buildings. Although western civilization has rules or things that people follow and go by, Islam has also developed rules and ways of living people follow so that they can live their lives to the best of their ability as a noble one as well. The Qur'an provides guidance for Muslims on how to live their lives and how to dress which creates different views of being a Muslim. The Qur'an states that Muslim men and women should dress and behave modestly. This freedom and heritage would be taken the moment hijabs are banned. It would be a change in history. For this reason, many hate the western world and their ways but some love the western world and wish to live here and that's where dreams come into play. Many people dream to be here in the United States but a lot of times their problem ends up dealing with a lack of opportunity. Lack of opportunity before and once you get to the United States results in lower income. To some it’s a blessing to have some type of income, and for others it’s easier to see the lack of income which makes them want to push

The wearing of a hijab or also known as a veil has lately become a problematic issue in numerous locations around the world, in particularly the Western part of the world. Hijab or veil is a headscarf that is regularly worn by Muslim women. Muslim women will wear a veil as a sign of favor to their faith. On the opposite side, others will wear it because they have no other choice from the pressure of their family members and religion. Individuals will even argue that the wearing of a hijab is a spiritual liberation. Other individuals will have a difference in opinion by saying that by wearing a hijab is an unjust to women, they believe that the wearing of a hijab is part of a Muslim system that brings women under command and control.

In every country around the world, women's lives are shaped by the influences of both society and by religion. “The Quran, Islam’s holy book, mandates that women have the right to seek education, choose their own mates, work, possess and inherit wealth or property, divorce, and remarry” (Hurley 76). So despite the Quran’s clear support for women’s rights and equality, why do many people feel that Muslim women are oppressed? The hijab head covering worn by Muslim women has been in the news on and off for some time now and has been a topic of many debates. Here in America, one would feel this requirement on women as oppressive, but most Muslim women feel that this is a way to be looked at not for their beauty, but for their minds. The issues here is that people have a hard time differentiating between culture and religion, two things that are completely different but have a huge effect on each other. People also have a hard time understanding things that are different. Just because it is different than how we live, doesn’t necessarily mean it’s wrong.

In my second year in college, when I had finally settled in and people had a better understanding of me, I had numerous people come and tell me – “I did not know you were this liberal, friendly or open minded.”, when I asked why that was, the reply always remained the same – “You wear a hijab, lead me to thinking you were religious.” The conversations always closed with the same statement from me – “A piece of cloth on my head does not measure my devotion to my religion.” In modern times, the hijab has become symbolic of one’s religiousness, beyond just being an item of clothing that is embraced by women who follow the religion of Islam. The idea of a woman being religious as she is wearing the hijab is as valid as stating that a person is a good chef, since he is wearing the chef’s hat. This common misinterpretation also leads some people to believe that Muslim women who do not wear the hijab are not religious. What the present society fails to understand is the true purpose and meaning of the hijab, while they misunderstand the concept and assume that only the religious Muslim women wear the hijab. Hence, I believe that the society must stop misinterpreting the religious connotations of the hijab, as wearing the hijab does not make one religious.